Pembina West Co-op hosts 5th annual hockey game and barbecue at Central School

By Corrine Gadke

Excited Whitecourt Wolverine team members and 24 Grade 5 girls and boys from Whitecourt Central School geared up on Wednesday, February 12 to participate in the 5th Annual hockey game at Whitecourt Central School’s outdoor rink.

Before braving the chilly temperatures and experiencing a truly Canadian outdoor hockey game, students and staff enjoyed a barbecue lunch of hotdogs, hot chocolate, and cookies all sponsored and served by Pembina West Co-op.

In true hockey tradition, both teams lined up and started with the singing of O Canada at 1 p.m. The Whitecourt Central School team coached by Chris Landry and Ray Dickson went head to head against the Junior A Whitecourt Wolverines. Students, staff, spectators, and volunteers quickly surrounded the outdoor rink to cheer on their favourite team. At one point, a Wolverine team member was seen encouraging the spectators to raise their arms to cheer and chant “Wolverines! Wolverines!”

Halfway through the game, gloves were dropped, and a staged hockey fight was played out for the crowd. Players scrimmaged quickly back and forth down the ice scoring against one another. There was some excellent stickhandling and teamwork seen. As the game wrapped up with the final score of 6-5, Central School won the closely scored game and proudly received the Pembina Co-op Cup.

Dave Notenboom, spokesman for Pembina, said, “We are really big on involvement with the kids in our community. We enjoy sponsoring this event every year, bringing the Wolverines out, and providing lunch for all the kids.”

After the school team received the Pembina Cup Trophy, students and staff returned indoors to warm up and enjoy another hot chocolate and cookie.