When it comes to hockey, CBS councillors enjoy sharing the old school spirit
By Mark Squibb
Conception Bay South councillor Gerard Tilley and Deputy Mayor Andra Gosse had a personal matter to settle ahead of last week’s public council meeting.
Tilley is a former Holy Spirit High Falcon, while Gosse is a proud Queen Elizabeth High Pioneer.
Each year, the two wager on which boys’ team will win the Winterfest Fred Squires Shield hockey tournament. The loser has to don their opponent’s jersey at a public council meeting.
Tilley said that outside of Christmas, the day is maybe his favourite day of the year – depending on the outcome of the tournament, of course.
This year, the cards fell in Tilley’s favour, and the Falcons prevailed over the Pioneers.
Gosse was a good sport and wore the jersey for the entirety of the meeting, despite many a joke about whether Tilley had washed it or not.
While the Holy Spirit boys captured the Fred Squires Shield, the Queen Elizabeth girls won the Annie Parsons Shield. In the Junior High contest, the Frank Roberts boys won in the male division, while the Villanova Vipers won the girls tournament.
Each year, a portion of the tournaments’ ticket revenue collected from at the gate from the parents and fans who fill the stands, is donated to the four schools.
On hand to collect the funds at last week’s council meeting were representatives of Villa Nova Junior High, Frank Roberts Junior High, Holy Spirit High and Queen Elizabeth Regional High School. Each high school team received $1,517, while each junior high squad got $787.
Council also extended its congratulations to the CB Senior Blues for winning the Avalon East Senior Hockey League finale and punching their ticket to the Herder championship series for the first time in the club’s history.
“The Herder championship trophy is the equivalency of the Stanley Cup for senior hockey in Newfoundland and Labrador,” noted Tilley.
Games one and two will be held at CBS Arena on March 28 and 29.
The Blues are also hosting the top prize for amateur senior hockey in Canada, the Allan Cup, at CBS Arena the week of April 19th to the 25th.
Representatives of Villa Nova Junior High, Frank Roberts Junior High, Holy Spirit High and Queen Elizabeth Regional High School attended last week’s Conception Bay South public council meeting to accept donations raised during the four Shield tournaments held during Winterfest in CBS this past February. Accepting the cheque from Deputy Mayor Andrea Gosse, in left photo, were Solomon Murray and Lauren Picco on behalf of the Holy Spirit Falcons. In centre photo, councillor Gerard Tilley made the presentation to Queen Elizabeth Pioneers (from left) Katie Ruston, Heather Gillingham, and Declan Flynn. And in right photo, councillor Rex Hillier, centre, presented the cheque for the Frank Roberts Ravens to Seth Peach, left, and Brooklyn Power. Villanova teacher and parent sponsor Lisa Corbett accepted the Town’s donation on behalf of the Villanova Vipers. Mark Squibb photos