Cross Border Clash a smash; 'It's darn good hockey, but the friendship is the main thing,' visiting coach says

Posted By Gard, Jeff

Posted 5 days ago

A crowd of 500 spectators gave a resounding round of applause to every team to march onto the ice at the Cross Border Clash's official opening ceremony at the Baltimore Recreation Centre Friday evening.

As both Canadian and American national anthems played for 35 teams from Ontario and three from the U.S., all of the players showed their respect. One particularly interesting sight was watching members of the St. Louis Rockets peewee team singing O Canada.

In a display of the relationship between sports in the small community north of Highway 401, the Baltimore Figure Skating Club opened the night's ceremonies with evident approval from onlookers. Founders George and Anne Quigley beamed with pride at the hour-long festivities as the Cross Border event officially celebrated its 10th year. Hamilton Township Deputy Mayor Isobel Hie welcomed visitors to Northumberland region.

It was a fitting evening for a hockey event that, as competitive on the ice as it is, has been equally - if not more - about fellowship. "We've met some great people. It has just been a lot of fun," Mr. Quigley said.

At its peak, the Clash attracted more than 20 teams from the U.S. and had more than 50 teams total.

Only the Center State Stampeders of New York, the St. Louis Rockets of Missouri, and the Erie Lady Lions of Pennsylvania came north this year.

Due to travel issues with crossing the border, soaring gas prices and the state of the economy, the number of U.S. teams has been declining in recent years.

"One year we had 20 (American) teams and they were getting 50 cents on the dollar," Mr. Quigley said.

Some teams, though, have never wavered in their Clash support.

Center State has competed each of the 10 years and St. Louis has come for nine years. Erie came for the first time last year when a girls' division was created.

With fewer U.S. teams, this possibly was the final year for the Cross Border Clash as it's known, but with nearly 40 teams skating, it's not the final tournament to be hosted by the Baltimore Minor Hockey Association.

Whatever form or name the tournament takes, it will be welcomed by the competitors.

St. Louis coach Corrie Boese has brought teams for seven years, and said it's the highlight of the season. "We joke down in the States as we're playing in our regular season that it's just the pre-season to the Canada trip .We have good hockey in St. Louis, but nothing like Canada, so the kids learn a lot.

"Even this rink - I remember when it was built," he said. "Look at the funding that took from this small community. You'd never see that in the States."

Boese, wearing a Baltimore Ice Dogs jacket, enjoys the camaraderie at the Clash. "George and I have exchanged jackets over the years. It's darn good hockey, but the friendship is the main thing."

That's why Chuck Race keeps bringing the Center State team. "It's just the people up here. We have a good time. For the kids, it's a lot of friendship with the pin exchange and getting to meet kids from across the border."

While this was just the second trip for the Erie Lady Lions, they enjoyed it. They play in the Great Lakes Girls Hockey Association out of New York and are used to travelling. Making the trips to Baltimore have been worth it, coach Les Caldwell. "We've had excellent competition up here. We like the tournament, it's a lot of great fun. The girls have a good time."

From the outset, the Clash strived to give entrants a chance to end their season on a positive note. Some of the rules ensure that's the case.

Anyone who fights is ejected from the Clash. Tie-breakers in the round-robin standings are settled by goals-against, not goals-for, "so if you've got a lead, you better start barring the door. Don't worry about scoring 10 more," Mr. Quigley said.

Make no mistake, the Clash is competitive. Sportsmanship, though, is more important.

Before the Clash was formed and Baltimore was a rep hockey centre, Mr. Quigley put together a select team that went to Evansville, Indiana for a tournament.

"All of the Americans treated us like gold. The kids just loved it." Mr. and Mrs. Quigley thought other Baltimore players should have the same experience, but closer to home. The event attracted 18 teams its first year and kept growing.

Both ice pads in Baltimore as well as arenas in Port Hope, Grafton and Colborne were needed this year to handle all of the games.

That means a lot of volunteers.

"You can't do it (without them). We need people to run five arenas," Mr. Quigley said. "We have great volunteers."

For the first time, there was a tyke select series between Baltimore and Cobourg.

Other divisions ranged from novice to midget. The competition is Ontario Minor Hockey Association (levels 'C' to 'E') and USA Hockey (Southern 'A' and Northern weaker 'A' and 'B').

Visiting Ontario teams came from Port Hope, Shelburne, Almaguin, Wingham, North Muskoka, Ops, Creemore, Douro, Rice Lake, Quinte West, Lindsay, Colborne, Norwood, Millbrook, Havelock, Brighton and North Frontenac.

cdssports@northumberlandtoday.com