King’s embarks on new St. Patty’s tradition

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It doesn’t have the same stature or recognition of the residence hockey game put on by Dalhousie’s residences, but that doesn’t mean students at the University of King’s College couldn’t drop the puck on their own match.

King’s students did exactly that on St. Patrick’s Day when the school’s two hockey teams involved in the Dal intramural loop capped their seasons with what they hope is a new tradition: the King’s Cup. The Bays ultimately won the first incarnation against Alex Hall 3 – 2 at Memorial Arena. First-year Tyler Publicover scored the power play winner.

The match wasn’t without fanfare. About 100 students were in attendance, a number of which were in varying stages of intoxication considering the date—like some players themselves. King’s president Anne Leavitt was also on hand to drop the ceremonial puck.

Christian Pollard, founder of the King’s Cup, said the first ever event was a great success, adding he intends to make it an annual fixture on the school calendar.

“I will personally make sure it happens next year, but I am hopeful it will continue beyond that [when I’m gone],” said the third-year.

The hockey game should have a long shelf span, especially considering the effort put into its trophy. In order to give it a King’s feel, inspiration was gleaned from the campus pub as a Garrison pitcher was used as the actual cup on the trophy.

“We wanted it to be super Kingsy.”

It’s in that spirit that Pollard wants this game to be remembered by. He hopes this residence game can instill a little more pride in a liberal arts school not renowned for its sports.

“King’s just isn’t an athletic school. It isn’t, and never will be. So King’s Athletics is beautiful in its backwards way,” he said. “We might as well embrace it.”