As hard as it can be to make it to the top of the mountain, it is usually harder to stay there. Trent’s extramural hockey team is finding that out this year. After a great season last year that led to a provincial championship, the men’s hockey team has had trouble finding their footing this season.

Through three tournaments and three exhibitions so far this season they have managed a 10-5 record without a tournament victory.  

It’s been hard for the team to replace key members of the team that graduated this past year. Then there was a year-long suspension to Cole Murduff, whose loss Coach Gavin McKnight said hurts the team. “There are 5-6 key guys we lost this year due to work and other commitments, then Cole was a huge loss too. Combined it has really hurt our team.”

Despite stumbling out of the gate, starting slow is nothing new to Trent hockey and McKnight thinks there is still reason to be positive. “Last year it wasn’t until second semester that things started clicking for the team. It is hard. Lots of guys have busy schedules with class and can’t always make it, but they will show up when it counts.”

This past Friday Trent played the Kawartha Cup, although it is just an exhibition game it is an important game for team. They play Fleming College and naturally with that the bragging rights of winning an inter-city game are always coveted. But for the Trent team, the game’s importance has more to do with the budget.

Hockey is an expensive sport and because the hockey team isn’t a varsity club they pay for their own expenses. This year the team reduced budget costs by travelling to the tournaments on their own, forgoing booking buses. Despite that, the team is estimates that it will cost around $12,000 to run the program. Money that usually is provided by the players.

However, the Kawartha Cup has proved itself to be a good fundraiser to help with expenses. With a combination of ticket sales, raffle and 50/50 draw McKnight and the players hope they can make up a significant portion of their budget.

If you missed the action on Friday, there will be other opportunities to see the team. The Kawartha Cup is being recorded by Cogeco Peterborough, so you can watch out for delayed broadcasts in the coming week. The team also hosts their own tournament in Peterborough on March 9.

The Champlain Broomball took place Jan. 29 and 30. Sixteen teams slipped and slid around the three rinks between Champlain College and the blue parking lot. In the end, the Lumberjacks took the title with a record of 9 wins and 1 tie, looking good sporting plaid shirts.

The West Bank overtook the East Bank in the charity hockey game. 4-1. As always, the Memorial Centre’s lower bowl was packed as the school divided itself over the Otonabee river. Mike Kosciesza, as captain and Josh Gomes, as MVP led the way for the winning West Bank side.