Ready to pull your goalie?

Seventh annual street hockey tournament plays on at U of M

JUSTIN DAWSON

Ah, can you feel it in the air? The joys of spring are nearly among us; the sun is shining with intent and the snow is melting. With more concrete beginning to expose itself, only one thing comes to mind — it’s time for some street hockey!

I mean, what better time is there than now, with more potholes around the city than there is acne on the face of a 13-year-old boy, to hold one of the world’s largest street hockey tournaments in our very own city of Winnipeg?

Well, that’s exactly what the folks over at the faculty of physical education and recreation studies are doing. On March 31 they will be holding the seventh annual “Pull Your Goalie” street hockey tournament right here at the University of Manitoba. Over the past six years the tournament has seen more than 2,000 participants, all attempting to be crowned “kings of the asphalt.” This year, the amazing event will be held at U lot, just outside the Frank Kennedy building on the Fort Garry campus. As usual, the tournament is open to everyone who wants to compete, not just university students.

As fun as regular street hockey is, this tournament makes the experience even more fun with its unique format and rules. The style of play is four-on-four, with one goalie and three forwards (because we all want to score). Each team is also allowed to have two subs on their roster. Team that register are assured a minimum of three games, with each game lasting 25 minutes of running time. There are cash prizes for the winners of the tournament.

Not only is this event a good chance for you to compete alongside your good friends, but it is also a good chance for you to meet new people and make new friends. (Hopefully there won’t be any stick-swinging Chris Simons out there.) There are many games being played at the same time, so there is plenty of opportunity to mingle with the rest of the competitors. And if your team record is starting to resemble that of the Philadelphia Flyers, you can take a stroll to another “rink” and get some pointers from other teams or just cheer on some friends.

The Student Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (SAHPER) are the masterminds behind this phenomenal event and they are trying their best to make sure that the participants are taken care of as best as they can. Throughout the day prizes will be handed out, and there will also be food and other refreshments to nourish and replenish the players. And if you can make it to the end of the day, each participant is welcome to join the social that takes place at Wise Guys on Campus in the evening.

So what are you waiting for? Pulling your goalie will never be as much fun!

For more information on specific rules and regulations, contact the SAHPER council office at (204) 474-8892 or by email at sahper_council@hotmail.com. Registration packages are now available all around campus and should be submitted to the SAHPER office in 121E Frank Kennedy Centre, no later than March 29 at 4 p.m.. Entry fee is $60 per team.