The challenge was made this past weekend, and the Rams responded as champions.
Mount Forest Rams Minor Hockey hosted its 4th Annual Reeves Challenge Cup weekend from Dec. 30 to Jan. 3, featuring four days of fun and competition between Mount Forest’s and Walkerton’s minor hockey teams. When the final point total was tallied on Sunday, the Rams boys teams had earned a sizable victory over their guests, while the girls closed out their competition dead even with a tie.
Making a return to its roots, the Reeves Cup weekend was highlighted once again by a Saturday night alumni game, as Mount Forest’s 1982-83 WOAA juvenile champions faced off against the 1981-82 WOAA bantam champions. The game opened in classic “old school” fashion, as the recording of O Canada failed and fans took up the slack by breaking into song.
A large and enthusiastic crowd filled the bulk of the stands and the Plume Room for the event, and Ian Francis wasted little time in giving them something to cheer for. Francis buried a goal from Warren Donald and Colin McMillan, and Jamie Bye extended the lead with goals from Dale Nicholson.
Bob Schwindt gave the lads in white a goal to cheer, as he was awarded a penalty shot and fooled goalie Rich MacVicar with a spin move borrowed from NHL?star Jason Blake.
Warren Donald buried a 4-1 goal from Rob Bye, and Bob Becker showed his speed for Team White by cutting the lead to 4-2 on a feed from Bill Nanninga. Dave Corley added to the white scoring total, thanks to an assist from Mark Byers.
Warren Donald, Brent Moore and Terry Hoehn kept the goal parade going for the boys in green, and Mark Byers wrapped up the offense and the 7-4 final with a team white goal from Dave Ferrier.
“It feels just like it did 25 years ago,” said a smiling Terry Hoehn following the game. “The same guys don’t pass, and the same guys don’t backcheck.”
Head Coach for the game Fred Hoehn was a little more complimentary, saying the team looked great, made passes right on the tape, and had not lost a step from their minor days.
“We actually played better tonight than we did years ago,” said Bob Becker.
“We think we did,” added Mark Byers in a quick retort.
Scott Weber, along with Jay and Penny Lewis and a number of MFMH volunteers did a commendable job hosting this year’s event, and kudos also go to sponsor Reeves Construction for ensuring the tournament was fun for all the young players involved.
 Each match-up included a pregame skills competition, 50/50 draw and MVP?award. Further adding to the festive atmosphere, the Kidz Fun Zone offered interactive mini rink and shooting accuracy displays upstairs in the Mount Forest and District Sports Complex.
Minor hockey teams from Mite to Juvenile all saw action as the Rams hosted the Capitals at every level. Five points were awarded for every victory, five more if the team went penalty free, and a possible nine more for each skills competition.
The Mite teams won 5-0 and 8-3, the Tykes split with a 9-1 win and 10-5 loss, and the Novice Reps won their game 2-0. The Atom Locals lost 2-0, and the Atom Reps came up with a 3-1 win. The Pee Wee Locals opened it up with a 7-0 win, and the Pee Wee Reps won 5-1.
The Bantam Locals won 2-1, the Bantam Reps managed a tie, the Midget Locals lost 0-2, and the Juveniles lost 7-2 to rebound gamely from an earlier thumping from Walkerton. In the end, Mount Forest dominated with a 213.5 total, to go with 151.5 for Walkerton. The total for the girls was much closer, as both the Rams and Capitals emerged with 92.5 points on Sunday evening.
The Atom Girls opened with a 4-0 loss, but the Pee Wee Girls righted the ship