Fun is the word at annual Pointe Claire ringette tourney

BY MICHAEL PIASETZKI

It seems only apropos the so-called ringette gods were kind to organizers of last weekend’s seventh annual Pointe Claire Ringette Tournament at Bob Birnie Arena in Pointe Claire.

After all, having fun has always been the main theme at the three-day event, designed not for elite players, although there were some A-level teams registered. However, no AA teams participated. The joy and enthusiasm on participants’ faces as they strive to win for little more than sheer pride has allowed observers to view firsthand one of the best aspects of amateur sports.

So, the last thing its numerous volunteers needed last Friday afternoon and evening was an ice storm. It caused numerous blackouts all across the West Island, and an extended loss of power at Bob Birnie would have forced the cancellation of several games, thus turning the rest of the weekend into a quagmire of pure havoc.

It wasn’t to be. Despite a couple of threatening moments when the lights eerily dimmed and darkness almost descended, the arena’s generators automatically kicked in and things went on as usual.

“The only weather problem we actually had was on Sunday,� said tournament chairman and Pointe Claire Ringette Association vice-president Tom Donahue. “A couple of South Shore teams arrived late because of traffic tie-ups from all the snow that fell. Other than that, everything ran smoothly, although we did have one major injury where the athlete had to go to the hospital.�

Over 600 players representing 48 teams from as far as Ontario and as close as Pointe Claire, Beaconsfield and Pierrefonds participated in a tourney that has always been limited in terms of size due to the amount of available ice time. Despite the fact organizers usually do not spend a lot of time advertising the tournament, many teams have actually been turned away in the past.

“Other local tournaments tend to function at a different level than we do and there’s nothing wrong with that,� said longtime Pointe Claire Ringette Association volunteer Bill Stockwell. “Of course, they have to, because their costs are far higher than ours, particularly the Pierrefonds tournament, which takes place in a private institution. One of its major concerns is generating a profit in order to function. With its fees being a little higher, and its emphasis on elite levels, that forces some local A, B and C teams who would prefer lower costs to stay away.�

The round-robin event was divided into 11 categories, beginning with the novice class for eight- and nine-year-old players, going all the way to the intermediate division for participants over 18. Each team was guaranteed three games, with the top-two sides playing off in Sunday’s finals. When everything was said and done, four local sides earned championship banners, including Pointe Claire, which defeated Pierrefonds 3-2 to capture the intermediate A title, Pointe Claire, which beat St. Laurent 5-1 to take the benjamin B crown, Beaconsfield/Kirkland, which got by Boucherville 5-2 to grab the novice B title and Beaconsfield/Kirkland, which slid by Boucherville 5-2 to take home the novice C crown.

Elsewhere, Beaconsfield/Kirkland lost 3-2 to Ottawa in the intermediate C final, 4-Cités lost 4-0 to Des Moulins in the atom A title game, Beaconsfield/Kirkland dropped a 6-0 decision to St. Hubert in the atom B deciding match while Pointe Claire lost 5-1 to Montreal North in the atom C big dance.

Finally, a special game for girls under the age of seven combining the pre-novice and bunny levels was played, with Pointe Claire easily getting by Boucherville 8-0.

Note: Anyone interested in watching some tremendous ringette are in for a treat on Saturday. The only hitch is you’ll have to get in your car and drive to the Doug Harvey Arena in Notre Dame de Grace. The Montreal Mission will entertain the Cambridge Turbos in a National Ringette League game. The Mission’s roster includes four West Island players, including forwards Catherine Cartier of Pierrefonds and Kim Poirier of Ile Bizard, along with defencemen Dominique Deveau of Dollard des Ormeaux and Karen Stewart of Pointe Claire. Game time is 4 p.m.