Latest update November 21st, 2024 1:00 AM
GCC dominate Igloo Hockey Festival
-Hikers men win thrilling final against GCC
The first ever Igloo Hockey Festival staged by the GCC Hockey Team at its home ground at Bourda came 
to a close on Sunday evening with some exhilarating hockey in all age groups.
When the dust settled however, the favourites of the senior tournament, the Hikers and the Pizza Hut GCC ladies took their familiar spots on the podium.
The host club reaped the benefits of its GCC Academy for juniors by securing victories in five of the nine divisions with the Hikers picking up three and Saints capturing one.
After a long day of skills on display at various levels, the greatest show of the festival came down to the final match being a men’s matchup of the Hikers versus Bounty GCC.
The teams burst out of the starting blocks with a GCC goal in the opening minute through Kareem McKenzie and an equalizer from the Hikers Shane Samuels immediately after.
The teams traded goals once again in the second and third minutes respectively, before
Women’s champs – Pizza Hut GCC
GCC surged ahead by 5-2, six minutes into the match.
It was at this stage of battle that Hikers Captain Robert France seemed to come alive and he and teammate Aroydy Branford drew their side level and then up by two just before half time.
The second half saw a herculean effort by veteran GCC striker Kevin Spencer, who amassed six goals in the match, but the Hikers answered each of Spencer’s goals with one of their own.
The final whistle came all too early for GCC and the excited spectators in attendance, leaving Hikers victorious with 10 goals to the GCC 9.
The highly anticipated women’s final unfortunately did not live up to expectation as the Pizza Hut GCC returned to pre-tournament form and routed the Hikers by 8-3 after the two had drawn 5-5 on the previous afternoon.
Gabriella Xavier remained the main GCC attacking threat while younger sister Rebecca Xavier also put in a sterling performance in defence.
The full results of all division finals are as follows:
Men’s Champs – the Hikers
Under 10 mixed – Hikers defeated the GCC Thunderbolts by 1-0 in a penalty shootout
Under 14 girls – GCC Warriors defeated Saints by 7–1
Under 14 boys – Saints B defeated Phoenix by 5-4 in a penalty shootout
Under 17 girls – GCC Spartans defeated Old Fort Shooting Stars by 4-2
Under 17 boys – GCC Rebels defeated Saints by 10-0
Under 21 girls – Hikers defeated Old Fort by 6-4
Under 21 boys – GCC Venom defeated Saints by 8-6
Open Ladies – Pizza Hut GCC defeated Hikers by 8-3
Open Men – Hikers defeated Bounty GCC by 10-9
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