Straits vs. St. Anthony tournament keeps up traditions

Old rivalries are worth cherishing.

Straits and St. Anthony took that rivalry into game six of a best of seven series last Saturday night.

While the senior men's hockey game took place after the Pen's deadline, it was set to determine whether a game seven will be necessary to finish this year's series.

"It's been great hockey," said Brandon Reardon last Thursday, coach for the St. Anthony and area team. "We're trying to close the series out Saturday night, but if it goes to a game seven you'll see a packed house."

Attendance has been 200 plus at the games which have rotated between the Straits-St. Barbe Arena and the St. Anthony Olympia.

In lockstep have bee the game results - the home team has taken each game.

The results have been as follows:

Game 1 - St. Anthony 3, Straits 1

Game 2 - Straits 6, St. Anthony 4

Game 3 - Straits 7, St. Anthony 2

Game 4 - St. Anthony 8, Straits 3

Game 5 - St. Anthony 4, Straits 3 (in OT)

"You don't know who's going to win, the games are that competitive," said Shane Clarke, who plays with Straits. "But you get a couple hundred fans behind you when you're playing at home and it makes a difference."

Mr. Clarke was looking forward to the home game last Saturday night to force a game seven. The location of game seven will be determined by which team has the best goals for and against ratio - if after game six the score is tied than the teams will use Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador's tie breaker rules to decide who gets home ice.

As of last Wednesday Straits had 20 goals for and 21 against, while St. Anthony had 21 goals for and 20 against.