Exhibition matches mark first anniversary

The Eden Ice Arena will host the second Canada Cup tomorrow to commemorate the introduction of ice hockey in Malta a year ago.

The Canadian Embassy in Rome was the catalyst for the introduction of ice hockey in Malta when, on March 14, 2002, an exhibition game was organised between Maltese/Canadian players.

At the end of the game, Malcolm Mckechnie, the Canadian Cultural Attache in Rome, presented the winning team with a trophy to commemorate the day.

Since then a league has been set up with matches held every Monday evening. Over 50 players are participating in this competition.

A junior camp has also been created within the SkolaSport initiative. The Eden Ice Arena provides 35 kids' helmets and masks, gloves and sticks to the participants.

The two teams contesting the Canada Cup will represent Malta and Canada. With the majority of players hailing from their respective countries, the game promises to be full of excitement as both teams fight for the glory and the prizes, sponsored by the Canadian Consulate and the Harruba restaurant at the InterContinental Hotel.

The entertainment will commence at 8 p.m. with a warm-up match between the youth teams (U-16) which will be followed by the highlight of the night... the clash between Malta and Canada.