After losing by a score of 3-0 last year, redemption is what the Special Olympics BC-Powell River and Comox/Courtenay floor-hockey team is seeking in an upcoming exhibition match versus Powell River Kings.
“It’s going to be awesome, I can’t wait,” said Tanya Norman, one of three players from Powell River on the Special Olympics squad.
Norman is joined by fellow Powell River residents Robert Lang and Andrew Swindlehurst. The team’s other players hail from Comox and Courtenay.
“Playing these guys is cool,” said Norman. “It helps out with our agility, training and programs. We want redemption from last year. It’s going to be fun.”
The exhibition game with the Kings is more than just a friendly game; it helps the team prepare for the Special Olympics BC provincial floor-hockey championships. The event will be held in Kamloops in July. If successful, the team will then move on to the nationals.
According to the special Olympians and Tarra Tipton, one of three coaches, the first meeting against the Kings was closer than the score indicates.
Tipton said she thought the Kings were caught off guard by how tough the game was played.
“I don’t think they were expecting it to be as rough as it was,” said Tipton. “When the Kings came out, they were struggling for the first bit, so you could see a little bit of stress with them. About halfway through they started to get the hang of it.”
The Special Olympics team is ready for the chance to beat the Kings in this weekend’s rematch, she said.
“Our guys gear right up; they have shin pads, gloves and helmets,” said Tipton. “They’re ready to go and used to playing a pretty rough game.”
The Kings, on the other hand, did not gear up last year. Tipton said there must have been a few sore knuckles and shins at the end of the game.
“I think they’ll change their minds and wear equipment this time around,” she said.
This year’s game takes place Saturday, February 11, at 2:30 pm in the Brooks Secondary School gym. Admission is by donation with all proceeds going to Special Olympics BC-Powell River.
“It’s a fun event and a good practice game for our athletes as they prepare to go to the provincials in the summer,” said local Special Olympics coordinator Jackie Milsom. “They’re quite competitive and play at a high level, so hopefully it’s going to be a very exciting game, a good opportunity for exposure to the community about our programs and also a fundraising opportunity.”
According to Kings head coach Kent Lewis, despite winning last year, his team is not taking chances or underestimating its opponent this time around.
“It’s just fun; it’s what sports is all about,” said Lewis. “It’s a great group we’re playing.”
Lewis said his players are training hard for the match, gearing up and preparing, especially for one player in particular on the other side.
“We have some forechecking and defensive structure to limit Robert Lang’s opportunities,” he said.
For his part, Lang said he is ready for the battle.
“They showed a lot of strength against us last year,” said Lang. “They are a good squad on the floor.”
