Can-Am boasts colourful history
American men lead series overall
February 20, 2007
Kristie Schwanebeck. Staff Writer
In its long history, the Canadian-American hockey game has been cancelled and curtailed, but its spirit lives on as the annual tradition continued this Wednesday night at the Twin Rinks Arena in Langley.
The concept of a Canadian girls versus American guys hockey game began in 1980 with Trinity Western University’s Dr. Chuck MacKnee. Before coming to TWU, he attended Miller College of the Bible in Saskatchewan, where he first experienced this type of game. MacKnee and two others brought the now infamous game to the TWU campus.
Although MacKnee was part of the student council at the time, the game was not specifically sponsored by the student government when it was first implemented. Rather, news of the game spread by word of mouth. The first Can-Am game saw the whole campus of 500 students turn out in support.
MacKnee refereed that first game while his wife, Patty, played. In true defense of Canada’s national sport, the Canadian girls brought home the victory.
The following year, the game was met with equal enthusiasm. MacKnee was referee once again, but this year, the girls were struggling.
“The American guys were pretty good,” MacKnee reminisced. With mere minutes left in the game, the girls were trailing by five goals. MacKnee said he could not stand to see the Canadians lose to the Americans.
To remedy the situation, MacKnee, his brother, and one other male student disappeared for a short while. When the game resumed, three new girls who knew how to play the game well were added to the line-up. They quickly scored six goals and brought the victory home for the Canadian girls once again.
It was only after the game that it was discovered that the three “girls” were in fact MacKnee, his brother, and the other student, for they had donned wigs in order to defend the Canadian title of victory.
And so the history continues. In 1986, the Can-Am game was cancelled due to a flood, although it remains unclear as to what flooded. And then most recently in 2003, the game was cut short due to a number of injuries.
As it stands now, the American men lead the series with nine wins to the girls’ eight. Unfortunately, there are some years that remain unaccounted for.
Looking ahead to this year’s game, the predictions have been mixed.
“Both the teams are really strong. This will be a faster-paced game than we’re used to,” noted the girls’ coach James Rowley. “We have some good, strong girls on the team. My money is on the girls.”
Julie Johnson, coach of the men’s team felt otherwise: “I think we’re going to dominate. Hopefully, they’re going to hustle out there. I’m hoping to get the ‘W’ this year.”
That sentiment seems to be consistent with the players. “The men are stronger than in the last years that I have played. I think it’ll be a really good fight,” said Steph Cumbers of the Canadian team.
When asked about his predictions, American Matt Keller responded, “The girls’ team is really strong. They are all sweet girls and great hockey players. But I think the guys will win because we have more testosterone. We want it more.”
“Besides,” he added, “our coach is from Minnesota.”
To rally support, Sodexho agreed to put on a pre-game tailgate party. The free event, located in the cafeteria was expected to feature food, face painting, and sumo wrestling.
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