With the Canadian squad receiving its first world junior championship loss against Sweden after 20 consecutive tournament wins on Saturday (Dec. 29), it wasn't one of the best days for the country's beloved sport.
But the Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association (SORCA) made sure the game's spirit shone bright at its annual Hockey Night in Squamish fundraiser for the food bank. Seventeen skaters hit the ice at Brennan Park Arena for a friendly game of holiday puck.
Some, like Squamish Women's Hockey player Cathy Skain, were regulars while others hadn't sharpened the blades for quite a while - the huffing and puffing on the benches made that clear.
"We've got [the ice] for two hours but we'll be done in about 20 minutes," joked Cliff Miller.
Organizer Don Petrocco said he collected nearly two large bins of non-perishable donations. SORCA has been running the fundraiser for the last ten years with the exception of last year.
Welcoming the community to come out and play a game of hockey is a great way to raise food donations and close out the winter break, said Petrocco.
"We can work off a bit of what we ate over the holidays It was pretty tiring but we all had a lot of fun."
The mountain biking group is preparing to run an off-season training program that is a bit more applicable to the trails.
On Tuesday (Jan. 8) SORCA is beginning its Indoor Spin Sessions at Don Ross Secondary School.
Unlike full stationary bikes, spin trainers attach to the back wheel of standard bicycles and cost less (about $200). Riders are guided through the class by an instructor and manage tension by shifting gears.
"It's a good way to get in shape for the biking season," said Petrocco.
The free Indoor Spin Sessions will continue to run Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. until March, and are available to SORCA members only. To learn more or look into becoming a member visit www.sorca.ca.
