It wasn't the big show - the TV telecast of the Winter Olympics hockey match between Canada and the United States. But this version - the Royal Canadian Air Force hockey team versus the NORAD Western Air Defense Sector - had the same opponents. And this Canadian-U.S. hockey match was just as important to the guys skating on the ice.
"It's all about bragging rights," said John Austin, a master sergeant with NORAD. "It's a pretty big deal."
Friday, about the same time the Olympic version was occurring, the local rendition had a similar result. Canada won. In the 20th edition of this annual Joint Base Lewis-McChord hockey shootout, Canada - home of hockey and winter sports - has dominated the series.
The overlap of the Olympic and JBLM hockey matches was significant to the players.
"It's huge," said Rick Martin, a warrant officer with the Royal Canadian Air Force. "It's a great rivalry. It's serious fun."
To highlight the Olympic connection, Martin and his teammates wore replica jerseys of the Canadian team that won the 1948 Olympic gold medal.
"It's just a great way to get some exercise and have some fun," Martin said. "I've played some. But not full time. We've got some guys who can fly like superstars."
This fight for bragging rights started with Col. William Krueger, the director of operations of Western Air Defense, and Brig. Gen. Marc Lanthier, the Royal Canadian Air Force commander, dropping a puck at center ice at the Sprinker Recreation Center Friday morning.
"And may the best team win," Lanthier said.
Krueger, who grew up in Kansas, admitted he couldn't skate. "But," he added, "I can ski." He understood the significance of this match to the unit, win or lose.
"The American teams are getting better," Krueger said. "But in my tenure here, I don't think the U.S. has won."
But he said on this day it wasn't just about winning or losing. It was about having fun.
"It's a great event," he said.
Martin grew up near Ottawa and, of course, played hockey as a kid. It's his second assignment at a U.S. base. In Oklahoma, he played 40 hockey games a year in an adult league, giving him his required hockey fix.
For Austin, it was his first time hockey match since he injured his knee his freshman year in college 15 years ago. In preparation for his comeback on ice, he had one hour of practice on the ice a month ago.
"This is just a great opportunity to come out and play again," Austin said. "To play for the U.S.A. With the Olympics going right now as well, you want to go out there and kick their butts."
Austin and his team showed lots of grit - especially goalie Greg Bailey. Playing without pads and wearing a baseball glove, Bailey never backed down, diving, catching and knocking away shots that were swatted up close.
"He played fantastic," Austin said. "He showed a lot of guts."
But in the end, hard work, guts and determination wasn't enough to offset Canada's speed on the ice. After the first period, Canada led 4-2. With two early goals in the second period, the U.S. closed to 8-5. But Canada won 10-6, giving them the trophy for another year.
Josh Harwood grew up playing hockey in the U.S. and is now playing in a hockey recreation league in Tacoma. With the overlap of the Olympic match between the U.S. and Canada, Harwood was super psyched to play.
"I don't know how to explain it," he said. "Even though it's for fun, you play for U.S.A. Canada is playing for Canada. It's just cool to play for your own country."
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