39th annual Battle of the Little Big Puck: An event Maple Creek needed

Posted on February 22, 2022 by Maple Creek

Wes Daniel guards the Indians' goal as it comes under pressure in the third period.

After two years of COVID, Maple Creek was ready to party.
Friday’s Battle of the Little Big Puck satisfied that need – and delivered much, much more.
There was music, drumming, smiles, laughter, long line-ups for food and drink, a beer garden, raffles, and draw prizes. There were Connor McDavid hockey jerseys up for grabs, a pool fundraising table, and First Nations hat bands and bracelets for sale.
Then there was the hockey. Oh, yes, the hockey. Was there ever a better game between Cowboys and Indians?
It was competitive, intense, and full-blooded.
Anyone doubting the desire of each side to win, should have kept an eye on both benches: goals were cheered and good defending greeted by tapping sticks against the boards, while near-misses prompted sighs and groans.
On-ice goal celebrations were exuberant, with raised sticks, fist bumps, and joyous huddles.
In the heat of action, there may have been a few less-than-playful shoves – well, of course there were – but good humour, sportsmanship and a spirit of camaraderie always prevailed.
As is traditional, the third period provided the best spectacle, with Maple Creek Community Arena illuminated by dazzling regalia. Cowboys sported chaps, Western jackets, flannel shirts and hats while Indians wore deer hide, paint and headdresses.
The score? 13-12 to the Cowboys. Yes, it was a night when goals reigned supreme. Blink, and you risked missing one.
Even in the closing stages, with limbs tiring and the pace visibly slowing, there was no let-up to the drama as the two teams traded goals like two prizefighters trading punches in a slugfest.
With four minutes left came a flurry of four goals.
Boom! Keegan Delorme, distinctive in his olive green top, sash and black helmet fitted with a feather, blasts the puck home to level the game 11-11.
Boom! Tanner Jones fires the Cowboys back ahead with just 3:36 left.
Boom! Delorme hits the target again. 2:58 on the clock. The scoreboard reads 12-12.
Boom! Jones answers with a decisive goal, 1:23 remaining, and the Cowboys celebrate wildly.
There is not enough time for the Indians to respond. As tradition dictates, dozens of pucks are scattered across the ice in the final minute, signalling the end of the contest.
Soon there are smiles, handshakes, and friendly words, those less-than-playful shoves forgotten.
Of course, the more important score of the night was the sum raised for the Southwest Health Care Trust. As of Sunday, the unofficial total was $4,314, with $989 still to come in.
Estimates as to how many attended the 39th edition of “the battle” – always a premier occasion in Maple Creek’s calendar – ranged from 350 to 450. The number would have been higher without the snowstorm that hit the area.
As usual, there were many out-of-towners curious to see what all the fuss is about.
Among them was Hayden Michaels, a Swift Current journalist experiencing the event for the first time. “It was amazing,” he said. “I thought this would be like a regular small-town rink, but what I witnessed was a community coming together for something that was just awesome.”
Two features of the hockey impressed Michaels: the intensity, and the level of sportsmanship that ensured there was no malicious contact.
“It was a wonderful fundraiser for the hospital. Everybody was here in good spirits, there was no hard feelings at the end of the day.
“It’s astonishing to consider that they’ve been doing this for nearly 40 years and that the rivalry has not turned into something ugly.”
Although the puck dropped at 7.30pm, many people had been filing into the arena long before that. Inside the foyer they found tables for raffle tickets and other fundraising ventures.
Seated at the table nearest the entrance were Sherie Hart and Chantelle Hart. Before them were eye-catching hat bands and hand-made bracelets.
One of those buying tickets, was Ryan Moncrieff, of Rafter R. Brewing Company renown.
This was his second taste of the Battle of the Little Big Puck. His first experience had been so good that he persuaded his brother and sister-in-law, Brady and Chantel, from Senlac, Saskatchewan, to try it out for themselves.
“It’s a long-running community event and is always well attended,” Ryan said. “It’s what people have been talking about for the last week. I think everybody really needs something like this after what we’ve been through.”
Gary and Marlene Packard agreed.
“It’s great for the community,” said Gary.
Chief Alvin Francis, from the Nekaneet, saw the Battle of the Little Big Puck as about building a relationship between communities, and being an example for the rest of Saskatchewan.
“First Nations and non-First Nations are just people, that’s all we are, we are just human beings. This game means we can get along and have a common goal of raising some money for whatever we need in Maple Creek.”
Francis played in the first Battle of the Little Big Puck in 1979, but retired from hockey 10 years ago after listening to his body protest.
“We actually have two players out there who are also original players: Larry Oakes and Dale Mosquito. They still play. Larry is going to be 63 this year and Dale is now 60, which is very impressive. I wish I could still play, I want to be out there, but I can’t do it.”
He added with a laugh: “The only thing I can do now is be a good cheerleader.”
Does he care who wins?
“Oh yes, of course I do. I always want the Indians to win. When you get on the ice you are as competitive as possible. I always want to win. I’m pretty sure both sides want to do that. There has never been fight , however – and that’s the good thing about this. It’s about relationship building, to make sure that we get along. It’s a friendly game and at the end of it, we shake hands and say ‘good game’.”
Doug Steele, MLA for Cypress Hills-Gull Lake, has been coming to spectacle for many years.
“This is something that I think the rest of the world should take notice of – communities coming together and having some fun. It has got a great history: Cowboys and the Indians, the First Nations community, all supportive of each other.”
Steele, who used to play recreational and organized hockey, particularly loves the third period.
“When they dress up it’s a blast. It’s always lots of fun. It’s nice to see the people who have never been here and watch their faces and see how much fun it all is.”
Michelle McKenzie, Maple Creek’s Métis Mayor, was more than a spectator on Friday – she devoted her time and energy to selling 50/50 tickets, weaving in and out of the crowd, occasionally glancing at the scoreboard, hoping that the Indians were ahead. Earlier, she had helped with the advertising and organization of volunteers.
“This game is about bringing our community together and celebrating our community, and how it is. There are no Indians and Cowboys – it’s the community of Maple Creek, and that includes the RM of Maple Creek, the Town of Maple Creek, and the Nekaneet.”
McKenzie said she had spotted Alberta plates in the parking lots.
“It’s a pretty good crowd. There are people from Swift Current, Consul, Eastend, and Shaunavon, coming to partake in the fun.”
McKenzie pointed to the fund-raising element of the evening. One of the healthcare needs in the area were X-ray machines, she said.
When the hockey action started, Robert Delorme had barely time to settle in his booth before he was announcing the first goal … scored by the Cowboys’ Wayne Resch, with assists from Adam Gilchrist and Derek Robertson. The clock read 17:51.
Two minutes later, however, the Indians responded through their main goal-scoring weapon: Wacey Watson.
It was the first of six goals by Watson. In the third period, he became an even more imposing sight thanks to the fox that adorned his head and back.
While the first period belonged to the Indians, the Cowboys took honours in the second, edging into a 9-8 lead.
The stage was set for the third-period drama – the back-and-forth goals and the stunning pageantry.
One of those who helped the Cowboys to their narrow win was Joe Braniff, a long-time supporter of the event.
His face masked in sweat, Braniff wore a huge smile.
“It was very intense. Everybody wants to win. As I always say, the beauty of the game is that the minute it’s over, nobody cares.
I would say this was the best one yet.”
Braniff spoke of mutual respect and pride among ranching and Nekaneet communities.
“We take a lot of pride in their culture and what they bring to the table, and I know they appreciate us too.
“If tempers flare out there, it’s never because it’s Cowboys or Indians, it’s just because there are Canadian guys playing hockey.
“It was a great game today and everybody is happy, although I suppose we are maybe a little happier.
“It’s physically tiring, of course, but we are more tired after the game than during it. Tomorrow, we will feel it.”
Braniff, who has Métis heritage, said he was eligible to play for the Indians.
“There have been lots of years I considered it, especially when they brought in really good teams,” he laughed. “My lifestyle, however, is cowboy. I’m a rodeo announcer and I’m a wannabe cowboy. I competed a little bit when I was younger and I’ve always been on this side, but I’m very proud of my Métis heritage.”
Braniff described the Nekaneet band as an “amazing group”. “These guys that we played against, they’ve been practising and touring and playing games, and they are just a great bunch of guys. We can meet them at a convenience store or in a bar for a beer, and they are our friends. I value them greatly.”
Mosquito is as awe-struck now by the Battle of the Little Big Puck as he was when playing in the first one.
“It’s people that bring it together and we will share what we have with the world. This unique event will continue.”
Was he happy with his own performance?
“I did really well, even though I didn’t score.”
He added: “For me, it’s personal enjoyment. Last year, I got to skate with my sons. It’s also emotional. There are people that are not here today.”
Mosquito remembered the late Robert Anderson – someone with an “infectious giggle” – Nick Demchenko, and others like Wilbert and Raymond Anderson, who were visionaries of the Battle of the Little Big Puck.
“They are not here physically, but they are here spiritually. This game is shared among everybody.”