Kings Crowned on the Pond at Excellent-Ice Kirkland

Boasting teams from as far away as British Columbia, Excellent-Ice Kirkland’s King of the Pond hockey tournament is a yearly gathering for a growing number of participants. 36 teams spread over three divisions took centre stage last weekend, battling for supremacy in the fast-paced 3-on-3 game.

In Division D action, Les Jardins outscored their opponents 67 to 27 in five games en route to the title. They edged out Team Munk 11-9 in a thrilling finale. LeShoeLab.com won the C division, successfully defending last year’s championship by defeating the Redstar Rangers 12-8 in the final.

Representing Western Canada were a pair of teams from an Excellent-Ice branch in Surrey, B.C. The Super Chiefs, sporting matching mustaches, competed in the top division and made a run at the title, winning their first four games before running out of gas in the final. They lost 10-2 to Millenium, a local squad featuring many members of Excellent-Ice’s regular 3-on-3 league.

This year’s edition was special because it was held for the benefit of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada. Tournament director and rink manager Brent Sabino was pleased with the turnout, expressing a desire to continue working with the foundation.

“I had been thinking about combining the tournament with a charity for some time, so when Matthew approached me about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society it was an easy decision,” said Sabino, who also suited up as a goaltender in the tourney. “I think it was a good fit and would like to see it continue in the future.”

This year’s co-Director, Matthew Cutler, iced two teams, and though both were eliminated on Saturday, he was at the rink Sunday afternoon to take in some of the final games.

A $500 donation was made in Cutler’s name on behalf of Excellent-Ice, plus all profits from coffee sales and the contents of a large donation jar will be added to the total.

All told, the tournament was a resounding success, demonstrated not only by the funds generated for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, but also by the many handshakes and thank yous directed at Sabino from participants as they filed out of the arena, most of whom will likely be back again next year for the 12th edition.