Americans seize Can/Am Cup 9-5

Members of the 552nd Air Control Wing and 552nd ACW Canadian Detachment at Tinker Air Force Base pose for a group photo at the conclusion of the 8th Annual Can/Am Cup hockey game May 20 at the Blazers Ice Centre in Oklahoma City. The Americans won the game, 9-5, to reclaim the cup. (Air Force photo by Darren D. Heusel/Released)

Americans seize Can/Am Cup 9-5

Published May 26, 2016
By John Parker
Staff Writer

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The eighth annual Can/Am Cup blazed with plenty of excitement for fans and players as the Canadians and Americans combined for 14 goals in 60 minutes of play.
The Americans provided most of the fireworks, winning back the cup 9-5 from the defending Canadian champions.

The Americans jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first period and led throughout, but not without a late Canadian rally in the third period. The Canadians popped in two unanswered goals in less than a minute to close within two scores, 7-5. The Americans called a timeout.

"We knew that the Canadians would come out strong in the third," team captain Steven Bell said. "They really came at us hard. They started to show a little bit of a physical side as well. For a little bit there I was getting kind of worried.

"But our team pulled together and added two more goals to put us over the edge and claim our sixth title. It was great to be a part of the game. The crowd was really into it, and I'm already looking forward to next year's game."

Canadian player Thys Hoedeman called it a great game.

"The USAF were the dominant team and won a deserving victory," he said. "While we fought hard to win, the fact that it was a high-scoring, fairly close game with some great exciting moments is what really matters. That's what makes it fun and exciting for the fans."

The teams battled at the Blazers Ice Centre in Oklahoma City and raised $1,350 for the 552nd Air Control Wing's Airman's Fund charity, Hoedeman said.

"It was good to make the move back to our roots with Larry Donovan and the Blazers Ice Centre. It's a great venue that is a perfect size for the crowd," Hoedeman said.

Don Saunders scored the first two Canadian goals with assists from Andrew Lunn. Lunn, the Canadian player of the game, later added his own goal, and Matt Galvin scored two.

Mike Nystuen was the American player of the game.

Fans included Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty in uniform.

"I'm here because I love hockey," he said. "I grew in Oklahoma City and I've played hockey since I was 12. I was a stick boy for the old (Oklahoma City) Blazers back when I was in high school."