By Spencer Sterritt

PBCN wins first ever Holiday Classic Aboriginal Hockey Tourney

Dec 19, 2016 | 5:27 AM

The Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) not only had the distinction of winning the debut Holiday Classic Aboriginal Hockey Tournament, but took home $3,500 to boot. 

Sheldon Joseph Cook, who organized the tournament with his wife Jennifer Roberts Cook and played for PBCN, said the Holiday Classic was about more than the cash prize.

“It’s about people coming together with a good weekend of Aboriginal hockey and socializing,” he said.

With 26 teams across four divisions – women’s, senior’s, master’s and legend’s – Cook said the inaugural tournament was a success.

“We just wanted to give all age groups a chance,” he said.

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Most of the play during the tournament was peaceful, but the final legend’s game between PBCN and Sandy Lake was a rougher affair with constant penalty play and several small scraps.

PBCN won 3-0 and took first in the legend’s division.

The Stanley Mission River Hawks won the women’s division, Canoe Lake triumphed in the senior’s, with the Mixed Blood team winning master’s.

Cook said they’ll run the tournament again on the same dates next year, though they’ll expand to a second arena and expand the number of teams.  

ssterritt@panow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit