It's was billed
as a friendly competition between two sister cities,
This past weekend, the Goderich Lions Pee-Wee Rep Sailors travelled to our sister city Bay City Michigan, for three exhibition hockey games. Coach Todd Larkin set this up as a fun, team building, and sportsmanship building weekend and said "I think it's great that we can organize a weekend like this so the teams can see that no matter where you play hockey, it's about having fun and about building friendships for years to come,"
Brent Jaime, president of Bay County Blizzard association, who help organize this weekend, said it's a good opportunity for his players to go up against some Canadian competition, but an even better chance to strengthen the two city's relationship.
"I think it's awesome that we get to play these games and hopefully we can continue to do it so we can maintain that relationship," Jaime said. "If we can make it happen, it's something I'd love to do every year."
The Sailors took on the 2004 Junior Ice Hawks on Friday, Nov. 4. Coming away with a 9-0 win, on Saturday they took on Bay County Blizzard Pee Wee 1 team at 11 am and skated to a 9-0 win also, during this game four of the Sailors jumped ship to help out as the Bay City team only had 8 skaters, On Sunday morning at 9 am the Sailors took on Bay County Blizzards Pee-Wee 2 The Sailors won 5-0.
On Saturday night the Sailors and 04 Jr Hawks attend a Saginaw Spirit hockey game. The Spirit took on the Barrie Colts. Both teams had an opportunity to represent their county by presenting and holding their Flags during the opening ceremonies as part of the Military appreciation night. Then watched a very entertaining game that the Spirit won 4-2
On Saturday morning before the game Mayor Kathi Newsham welcome the Sailors to Bay City by presenting the team with pins from the city, she also said this weekend's hockey games is a "perfect example" on how sister cities should interact. "I think it's such a cool idea and she stayed and watched some of the game on Saturday," she said.
Newsham, whose husband Tom organizes the annual Bay City St. Patrick's Day Parade, says she hopes to get Goderich Chief Administrative Officer Larry McCabe and his wife to attend this year's parade. A band from a town just north of Goderich traditionally performs in the parade.
Larkin, hopes a yearly tradition can start between the two cities. This marks the second Goderich hockey team to pay a visit to Bay City, in the last few years, the last coming in 2013-2014 season
"I would like to have Bay City come to Goderich sometime for an exhibition weekend," he said.
He also suggested the Bay City teams attend the town's annual Young Canada Week Tournament, held annually in March.