Standing up against family violence and cheering on the Wolverines

November is Family Violence Prevention Month in Alberta. Throughout the month, the Whitecourt Family Violence Initiative (FVI) has held events and brought awareness of the impact of violence within the home. They kicked off the month with their Shine a Light campaign, encouraging residents to leave their porch lights on or hang a purple glow stick in their windows. Other events included Pub Foods with the Dudes, which happened on November 3, and family violence business kits were handed out to area businesses to make resources readily accessible to staff.

On Friday, November 25, the FVI attended the Whitecourt Wolverines home game against the Spruce Grove Saints. Staff handed out purple glow sticks and Lynden Schwindt, the Family Violence Liaison for the FVI, helped drop the puck at the start of the game. “It’s very important to be here. It’s integral to our community to be visible so everybody can do their part,” Schwindt said. She added that collaboration and getting the message about support is how family violence can be extinguished. “The scary thing about family violence is that it happens behind closed doors. When we bring it to the forefront, this is how we can all make a change in the community.” She said that the FVI appreciates the support they receive from the community.

Following the puck drop, the Whitecourt Wolverines and the Spruce Grove Saints got to work. The first period was fast-paced as the teams raced from end to end. Though there wasn’t any scoring, the period was far from boring as fans felt the highs and lows of great shot attempts and big saves. In the final minute, the Saints were called for holding, giving the Wolverines their first powerplay of the game. The home team did not capitalize on it before the horn sounded to end the period.

The Wolverines opened the second period with a minute and eighteen seconds on the power play. Try as they might, they could not get a puck in the net. Just after the 17-minute mark of the frame, Wolverine Matthew Sutter was called for holding and was sent to the penalty box to sit for two minutes. The Spruce Grove Saints didn’t need the full two minutes on the man advantage, scoring a beautiful tic-tac-toe goal at 18:35 of the period, much to the dismay of the hometown crowd.

In the final period, the Wolverines knew they had to tie things up. The fast-paced nature of the first two periods continued, which was great for the 432 fans in the stands. Both teams worked hard, the Wolverines looking for the tying goal and the Saints doing all they could to hold onto their lead.

Five penalties took place in the first half of the period. Saint Caden Cabana was anything but when he was penalized for a major blow to the head and given a ten-minute misconduct. Wolverine Kaiden Wiltsie sat for boarding and dropped both teams to 4 on 4. Forty seconds later, the Wolverines were given a glorious opportunity to tie things up when they went on the man-advantage following a tripping penalty called against the Saints. Unfortunately, the Wolverines could not capitalize on the chance. The entertaining matchup ended as a 1-0 win for the Spruce Grove Saints.

The next home game for the Wolverines is on Wednesday, November 30, against the Grande Prairie Storm. Fans will have to wait nine days after that to catch their team in action at the Scott Safety Centre when the Olds Grizzlys come to town on Friday, December 9.

Those seeking information on family violence supports on behalf of a friend, family member, or themselves are encouraged to visit www.whitecourtfvi.ca. The website features resources for domestic abuse victims, including numbers to call, programs and training opportunities available, and more. The Family Violence info line is 310-1818. #wheretoturn #GOPURPLEAB