The 2023 KC Christmas Classic is in the books!

The 2023 KC Christmas Classic is in the books!  55 teams across five divisions played their hearts out for four days, and at the end, there were three teams left standing.

Congratulations to the Current River Comets, our U11A Champions!  The Comets went undefeated in the round robin with a clean 4-0 record to take the top seed in their pool, setting up a semifinal matchup with the North End Flames.  The Comets would advance to the final with a 2-1 win, setting up a showdown with the TBWHA Fury.  The Fury had finished second in their pool in round robin play, and had upset the top-seeded Elks Fierce 2-0 to earn their spot in the final.  The championship final was another close affair, with great play on both sides.  The Comets would emerge with a 2-0 win to earn their first trophy of the season.

In the U13A division, the Neebing Hawks finished second in their round robin pool with 3-1 record, setting up a semifinal match with the undefeated KC Red Wings.  It was a back and forth affair, with the Hawks ending up on top of a 6-4 decision to qualify for the final.  Their opponent would be the KC Golden Knights, who finished atop their pool with a 3-0-1 record, and dispatched the Westfort Mavericks 4-3 in a nailbiter of a semifinal.  In the final, the Golden Knights would draw first blood midway through the first period, only to have the Hawks come storming back with 4 unanswered goals to capture the trophy with a 4-1 win.  Congratulations Hawks!


 

The U18A division saw both lower-seeded teams win their respective semifinals to set up a championship final between the 3 and 4 seeds.  The Current River Comets capped off a 3–1 round robin record to set up a semifinal meeting with the top-seeded VP Bearcats, who were coming off a victory at the Westfort Ice Breaker tournament.  The Comets would avenge their lone preliminary round loss, and deny the Bearcats quest for a second straight title with a strong 4-2 win to advance to the final.  The Fort William Canadiens also finished with a 3-1 round robin record, and like the Comets, set themselves up with a semifinal matchup against the only team to beat them in the preliminary round, the KC Sabres.  The Sabres would get on the board first, but the lead was short lived, as the Canadiens would answer quickly, and then go ahead for good, closing the hard fought game with a 2-1 win.  The final was an emotionally charged affair, with both teams playing their hearts out in the quest for their first trophy of the year.  Power plays were plentiful, and the Comets did a great job of capitalizing on their chances to earn a 2-0 win and and hoist the championship trophy.  Congratulations Comets!



We'd like to extend our congtratulations to all the players who played during the tournament and jamboree, as well as all the coaches, managers, family members, and friends who made this such a memorable weekend!  HUGE thanks to all the volunteers for their tireless efforts...this doesn't happen without you -- special thanks to Tournament Chair, Mark Shedden for all your work in the months leading up to the event -- you can take a breath now!  Thank you to Dustin Wilson of NWO Biosteel Sales for sponsoring the Epic Shootout, as well as Mr Sub and the Kam River Fighting Walleye for contributing prizes for the shootout winners.  Thanks go out as well to Dave Reginato and the Thunder Bay Bandits for letting us use their audio equipment throughout the weekend, as well as Mike McGinnis for his fantastic DJ and announcing skills...you made the Epic Shootout and Championship Sunday so much more exciting!

Last, but not least, thank you to everyone who donated to the Canadian Cancer Society through the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative...either through the online link and the donation jars that were in the arenas.  We look forward to announcing the total donations soon!

That's a wrap for 2023...we can't wait to see you next year!