Posted by: David Wylynko
In a stifling defensive battle, the defending champion and host team Old Ottawa South Moose suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 loss in the final of the Capital Ward Cup to the Old Ottawa East Hosers Sunday, February 5th, at Windsor Park, restoring the Hosers’ historical dominance over the half-day four-on-four shinny tournament.
The Hosers have now won the 16-year-old tourney – which was started by former Capital Ward Councillor Clive Doucet in 2008 – seven times, with the Moose claiming the trophy five times and Glebe once. For the past two years, the Cup was cancelled due to COVID, and once earlier due to slushy ice conditions.
Stacked with returning male veterans and a quartet of outstanding female players, the Moose put up a valiant effort, reminiscent of their 2020 championship run at the Hopewell Avenue Public School half-ice facility in the Glebe. But in what was by far the lowest scoring final in tournament history, they couldn’t solve the Hosers’ trap defence.
“Dump and chase hockey is the name of this game,” commented one Moose player in response to the trap defence after the two teams battled to a tight 2-2 tie in the round-robin. Both teams defeated the upstart Heron Park team in the round-robin, setting the stage for the final. Look for a detailed story on the Cup in the next issue of the OSCAR.