Girls hockey thrives through annual Cubtown tournament

Posted Feb 9, 2012 By Stacey Roy

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Carleton Place EMC file

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Carleton Place EMC file

EMC Sports - Coming up right after Hockey Day in Canada might be called girls hockey days in Smiths Falls.

A great opportunity to get together with family and the community will be coming to both town arenas over the Family Day weekend when the Girls Minor Hockey Association hosts its 22nd annual Cubtown Tournament.

Opening ceremonies for the four-day tournament will begin at noon Feb. 17 on the Memorial Community Centre ice. This year's event promises some great moments in sport with all minor hockey divisions represented, including the introduction of Bantam AA.

Organizers expect five teams of this calibre to be lacing up throughout the weekend, including the town's own Bantam AA team who will play Rideau St. Lawrence in an 8:30 p.m. game Friday, Feb. 17.

"It's good hockey," said Rob Street, tournament director.

Walter Dubas, vice president of competitive hockey, SFGHA said the annual tournament "runs the whole gamut" of skill levels and hockey experience from the young skaters getting their first taste of the sport to seasoned competitive players vying for top spot on the scoreboard.

A total of 47 teams will be showing off their jersey colours throughout the weekend including 10 Smiths Falls house and competitive teams.

"We have teams as far away as Syracuse, New York, Eganville, and Peterborough," Street explained.

He urges all family members and the public to come out and cheer on these girls. There is no spectator admission fee in the hopes of filling the stands for players.

"What you get in return for that is a big smile" from the players, Street said.

Games will be played Friday afternoon and evening and all day Saturday and Sunday with the winners from each division going forward on Monday for the semi-final and final games.

Street wants to thank everyone who has helped to make this year's tournament a success. The Cubtown Tournament is hosted by the Smiths Falls Girls Hockey Association and has been for the last five years. Prior to that it was run under the local minor hockey association umbrella.

sroy@perfprint.ca