Neepawa Tigers win big, both on and off the ice

By Eoin Devereux Neepawa Banner & Press

While a recent home stand for the NACI Tigers was extremely successful on the ice, the success that was achieved off of it is much more important to the players, coaches and supporters of the team.

The Tigers played a pair of games last week at the Yellowhead Centre. The first of those was on Wednesday, Jan. 25 against the Hamiota Huskies, with Neepawa closing out the night with an impressive 4-0 victory. Myles

Willerton, Brody Pollock, Tarek Lapointe and Jory Kulbacki all scored for Neepawa, while Gatlyn

Plett picked up the shutout win in net.

A notable aspect of the evening happened just before the opening faceoff, however, as NACI was able to present a cheque for $1,000 to Miles for Mental Health, a global initiative geared towards removing the stigma that surrounds mental health. Claire McCannell, the vice president of the local chapter accepted the cheque on the organization’s behalf.

Tigers fight cancer

A few nights later, the NACI Tigers were back at it once again at the Yellowhead, this time versus the Virden Golden Bears. In this game, Neepawa started strong, scoring the first four goals of the night. That early dominance powered the Tigers to a 10-3 win.

Tarek Lapointe and Ward Brister both had five point performances. Lapointe had a hat-trick and added a pair of assists, while Brister had four helpers to go with one goal. Other goal scorers included Rylan Sumner, Hayden Delaloye, Cohen and Jory Kulbacki and Callan Denbow, who contributed with two and two assists. Goaltender Austin Michaluk picked up the win. While those results on the stat-line were impres- sive, the numbers brought in away from the ice were even better. The game versus Virden was the NACI’s annual Tigers Fight Cancer fundraiser. This event raises funds for local programs through a progressive 50/50, a puck toss, a 50/50 held at the game and the players making and selling candy bags for several weeks prior to the game. This year, all those efforts brought in an amazing $5,400, which will be given to a few programs that support cancer patients right here in Neepawa.

Tigers co-coach Troy Brister told the Banner & Press this game, and more specifically, the fundraising efforts related to it, mean a lot to the players and their families.

“Over the past four years, this event has grown tremendously. With this year’s success, the Tigers have raised over $9,000 for vari-

Neepawa Titans Junior “A” Hockey Team

ous programs that support cancer patients in our town and surrounding areas,” said Brister. “As soon as this game is mentioned, we have parents volunteering and the team stepping up to do whatever is asked of them. They are all eager to help out, especially knowing the funds raised stay right here in Neepawa. Many families have been impacted by cancer and they see the importance of what we are trying to do. Our parent group is proud to be able to give back to our community and thankful for all of the support they receive.”

Brister added that seeing the stands full of supporters for this event, as well, demonstrates the support of the community and it means so much to the team to play in front of such a large crowd.

Mark

Neepawa Titans regular season home games

February 3 at 7:30 pm vs Steinbach • February 17 at 7:30 vs Winnipeg Blues

February 19 at 6:00 vs Winnipeg Blues • February 25 at 7:30 vs Portage

March 5 at 6:30 vs Steinbach • March 17 at 7:30 vs Selkirk

Neepawa Titans Events!

February 18, 2023 - Neepawa Titans Snowmobile Derby

Contact Tom Yandeau at 204-386-2050

March 3, 2023 - Neepawa Area 15th Annual Sports Dinner

Guest Speakers:

Tyler McGregor, Captain of Canada Paralympic Sledge Hockey Team and Comedian Dan Verville

Tickets $100 - Available at Titans Store, Neepawa Banner & Press & Harris Pharmacy (After Feb. 12) A portion of the sports dinner proceeds will be donated to local Cancer Care Programs. April 14-15 - Neepawa Titans Developmental Camp, Neepawa Yellowhead Centre

Request For Nominations For Sports Person Of The Year

Presented at the Neepawa Area 15th Annual Sports Dinner FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2023

Nominations will be judged on the basis of:

• The nominee’s contribution to the growth or strengthening of sport and recreation in Neepawa

• Outstanding leadership skills

• Volunteerism and personal involvement in sport or recreation

• The impact and lasting contribution of the nominee’s efforts

In order to assist the organizers assessment of the nominations, nominators are asked to provide supporting information in a formal letter of nomination.

On Wednesday, Jan. 25, the

Please email all nominations with ATTN: NOMINATION - SPORTS DINNER to guinnbro@mts.net

Deadline for nominations is Friday, February 17, 2023