AMHERST – A Maritime hockey hotbed is celebrating Canada’s game on Saturday while supporting Special Olympics in Amherst.
The Amherst Ramblers of the Maritime Junior Hockey League and the Cumberland County Minor Hockey Association are joining forces for the day to hold Hockey Day in Cumberland.
“This is a great opportunity for our two groups to work together to support an important community organization,” Ramblers’ president Jim Henwood said.
The events will coincide with the Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada celebration from Prince Edward Island.
The day will feature four minor hockey games beginning at 11:45 a.m. when the Atom AA Ramblers host Lewisville and wrapping up at 5 p.m. when the Novice Kent Ramblers play Bedford.
Other games include the Peewee A Ramblers against Pictou County at 1:30 p.m. and the Bantam AA Ramblers playing Acadia at 3:15 p.m.
“This is a way for minor hockey and the Ramblers to give something back to the community,” minor hockey first vice-president Wayne MacKenzie said. “Our teams are often in the community raising money from sponsors and supporters. This is a way for us to raise some money to support an important organization like Special Olympics.”
The finale will feature a battle for Bent Division supremacy as the second-place Ramblers host the first-place Yarmouth Mariners at 7 p.m.
There will be 50-50 ticket sales throughout the day at the rink with a draw during the novice game. Minor hockey is also selling tickets on a Martin Brodeur autographed jersey while Carter’s Sports Cresting is donating small cowbells that will be sold at the rink during the day and at the Ramblers’ game.
All minor hockey proceeds are going directly to Special Olympics.
The Ramblers are going to provide $1 for every ticket over what has been its average attendance of 755.
Scotiabank’s Victoria Street branch in Amherst is going to match what is donated with all the proceeds going to support Special Olympics.
