The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Although there was some discussion over the anniversary of the tournament, there was no disputing the fact that the 28th (or 31st) Roller Goodwin Memorial Classic was a total success. On all accounts, attendance, competition and spirit were all high during the three-day event, held at the Whitney Forum in Flin Flon this past weekend. "It was a fabulous weekend," recalled Brent Lethbridge. "Participation was excellent. The hockey was quite good, and every team had some good skaters." A special treat on Saturday and Sunday were the Memorial Cup reunion games. Also, old-time hockey fans had a chance to see Bobby Clarke and Gerry Hart play a total of five games on the weekend. The social events were outstanding, and very well attended. Organizers had no problems to report through the entire weekend, and any bad vibes from the hockey were left on the ice. At Sunday night's social event, the house was full, and people didn't want to leave after the music stopped playing and the crowd retreated to the Community Hall parking lot. "The weekend was one of those great Flin Flon events, not dissimilar to Homecoming 2000," said Lethbridge. "I heard a number of comparisons between the two. Based on this, the Roller Goodwin will be running for a number of years more, and will likely be back in Flin Flon for 2007." An event of this magnitude takes lots of hard work by many individuals to be a great success. A few of these hardworking individuals were: Beastie and the arena staff, who were working overtime to make the ice playable. George Hill, who organized the Memorial Cup guys and ex-Bombers that played two games on the weekend. Dennis Mansell and the old-time Bombers, who did a lot of the behind-the-scenes work. Jason Morran and the Dirty Dozen ball team, who tended bar during the weekend to ensure everyone had a good time. Of course, the participants are the ones who make the tournament. Many people dedicated their holidays, time and financial resources in making this tournament the success story that it is each and every year. "This event is the participation and efforts of a lot of different people," said Lethbridge. "It is a wonderful thing. From the family to the fans, everyone had a wonderful time." See 'Expansion' P.# Con't from P.# Lethbridge also mentioned the expansion franchises - the Johnstons, Kro's Pros, Kritzers and Floch Doughboys for creating some good entertainment and a fresh look, bringing the number of participating teams this year to 13, plus the Memorial Cup reunion games. As far as the Green Street Cup - the legendary exhibition match between a bunch of guys that grew up in the Green Street area - let's just say it was close in the beginning, but the Black Hawks ran away with it in the end. "I think the Davidson's conditioning gave out," said Lethbridge. "They were a little short handed - Mitch Duncan, Pat Iannone and Ray Neufeld were not in the lineup. It would have been a bit tighter if those guys were there." No final word on the whereabouts of the trophy, either. We'll try and get an update as soon as possible. In the Roller Goodwin Memorial Classic, there are no winners and losers. There is no championship trophy, and bragging rights only last as long as the players can remember the final score, or until they get beat the next time.
