Twenty-one Canadian women and twenty-two American men participated in two late-night practices before suiting up for Trinity Western University’s annual Canadian-American hockey game on Friday, March 18. Players were chosen after beating out their compatriots by standing in a line-up that began at 11:30 the night before to pen their name on a list at 8am.

The festivities began with a light show, a prayer by Dr. Snider, and the singing of both countries’ anthems. Third-year Dan Church, who sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” commented, “I was a little hurt that my mic didn’t work. I wonder if maybe it was an intentional act, but I feel like I can overcome.”

The game began in true Can-Am tradition when in the first minute, third-year student Justin Sear dislocated his shoulder in a fall. The rest of the game was relatively injury-free.

The men quickly jumped ahead with a fluke goal from center ice by Braden Spotts, but by halftime the Canadian women had amassed a 4-2 lead Falls and collisions among the players kept the crowd laughing. A representative from a charity organization commented, “They play like six year-olds, but they’re 100% enthusiasm.”

Fourth-year Nathan Gillard, who was the American goalie in the prior three years, commented, “The guys are using some very creative methods, spin moves, stuff you don’t usually see in hockey, but you do what you need to do to get the job done.”

“I’ve fallen about a dozen times,” fourth-year Mychal Hoffman said at halftime. Hoffman said his hockey experience consisted of “Wayne Gretzky 1999 for Super-Nintendo.”

Halftime included a shooting contest between the three best-dressed fans from each country. American Ben Norton won a (dollar sign)50 gift certificate to the Keg.

Third-year student Angie Strikwerda, dressed as “Miss Beaver Columbia,” explained, “Beavers are really symbolic of Canada because they’re on our nickels.”

Staff and faculty took shots as well. Paul Perschon of the Alumni department won a (dollar sign)40 certificate to the Olive Garden. Contestant Glenn Hanson, Assistant Director of Community Life, said the experience was “riveting. You could have cut the atmosphere out there with a knife.”

Contestant Paul Hughes of the Religious Studies department found significance in the game. “I think in the same way that for Americans baseball is the lost Jungian archetype, hockey is the Canadian lost Jungian archetype,” he said.

The second period started with high hopes on both sides. American goalie Iain Cook, a second-year student, commented, “It’s been good because it’s been high-scoring, and it’s more fun that way.”

Senior Amanda Crosby predicted at halftime, “We’ve still got a couple more goals in us.”

The Canadian women retained the upper hand for the remainder of the game, with each team adding another goal for a final score of 5-3.

Returning goalie Angela Garriott, a third-year student, commented, “It started out a little rough, but we were able to come back amidst the adversity. Our team has definitely improved this year.”

A crowd of over 1200 showed up, surpassing the sell-out number of 1048, with the majority sporting the colors of their favoured country. Signs in the stands included “We love #3 Shizzle Nit” and “I went to the states yesterday and I didn’t like it.”

Canadian coach and fourth-year student Jon McAuley observed, “There’s a lot of Americans at our school, but they haven’t filled the stands up. On their side there’s an empty section on one end, and another section filled with Canadians.”

Can-Am included some international flavour. Second-year student Ayano Ikeda from Japan sat on the Canadian side “because Japan’s flag is red and white, and Canada is also red and white, so I feel similar.”

Referees were fourth-year student Matt Serviss, custodian Mac Thompson, and Resident Director Joe Ducklow. Serviss said a highlight was “watching the American guys trip over each other.” He continued, “The girls are very good, I will say that.”

An annual event, this year’s game had a different feel due to the initiative of fourth-year students Simon Moore and Kelcey Brade and alumnus Nathan VanVeen. In December, VanVeen suggested directing proceeds from the game, typically given to Habitat for Humanity, towards tsunami relief. Moore led the initiative, spending four to six hours a day since December finding sponsors and coordinating details. There were over a dozen sponsors, including Mastercraft, Glenmore Printing, Spartan Athletics, and Coca Cola.

Moore’s efforts resulted in extras such as jerseys, pucks with Can-Am logos, programs, and numerous prizes for fans.

At halftime, representatives from World Vision and Canadian Food for the Hungry were presented with a (dollar sign)4500 check for tsunami reconstruction, just shy of Moore, Brade, and VanVeen’s goal of (dollar sign)5000 to (dollar sign)7000.

Moore said of the event, “It was exactly what we wanted. It was a really dramatic game, and people stayed until the very end. As much effort as we put in, I couldn’t have planned a game like that.”

Sportsnet Pacific reporter Craig MacEwen covered the event. The network’s coverage of the game aired Monday, March 21.