CHALLENGE IV

COMMANDO CHALLENGE IV: A GREAT SUCCESS!

Media defeat the Brass

The Esprit de Corps Commandos defeated the General Officers & Flag Officers (GOFOs) by a score of 5–2 to take a commanding lead in the 2016 Commando Challenge, two game series. The January 29 battle on ice was the most competitive game yet between these two squads, with General Jonathan Vance fielding a very strong, hand picked GOFO team.

Recently recruited Commando goaltender Eric Marolt proved to be the decisive factor in the outcome, robbing the GOFOs blind on numerous occasions. Marolt was named Commando player of the game while goal-scorer Major-General Al Meinzinger took away the top GOFO player award.

A total of five foreign military attachés played in the game as augmentees to both the Commando and GOFO squads. German defence attaché Lieutenant-Colonel Ralf Heimrich was named by both teams as the top international player for his strong defensive play for the GOFOs. All three top players received a catalogue courtesy of the Canadian War Museum.

Former CDS General (ret’d) Tom Lawson played in his first game as a Commando against his former teammates. Scoring two goals, Lawson deservedly won himself the ‘Benedict Arnold’ trophy, which was presented to him by Vance after the game.

Fans enjoyed free hot dogs courtesy of Nate’s Deli, as well as free Beavertails and beverages courtesy of HDT Global. The VIP reception was sponsored by Medistick, which also thoughtfully provided all players with a sample of their pain relief products.

The event raised a total of $4,330 for the Military Family Resource Center –National Capital Region (MFRC–NCR).

At the post-game reception, General Vance reluctantly presented Commando team captain Scott Taylor with the newly minted Commando Challenge trophy, crafted from an authentic commando dagger. The second game of the 2016 series will take place in late May, with the GOFOs needing to win by 4 goals if they are to reclaim the coveted prize.