The Yukon Broomball Association (YBA) took over Takhini Arena for the Bob Park Opening Tournament. Twenty-four games in total were played from Thursday to Saturday and spectators were treated to some very competitive broomball.

The Spectrum Bears came out victorious, as they took out the Fireweed Shooters 2-1 in triple overtime. The first overtime period was played 3-on-3 with a goalie. The second and third overtime remained 3-on-3 but the net was empty.

Shooters goaltender Kyle Nault said he was “chapped he wasn’t able to be in net for the final period” and that in the final OT frame the team ran out of steam.

“It’s basically one turnover then you’re in trouble,” said Nault. “Everybody was just out of gas and couldn’t get it out of the zone. They came up with possession and sort of grinded it in. When it is 3-on-3 no goalie you aren’t allowed to be in the crease before the ball as a defender.”

The Bears got on the board early in the second half. They scored their goal on a quick pass out to the slot, which was rocketed home low on the short side, too quick for Nault to get his leg out in time.

Nault said the game was a defensive battle, and that the Bears were a technically sound team. The Shooters got on the board late in the second half.

“They (Bears) are very sound positionally and defensively,” said Nault. “We got our goal late in the game, it felt like forever after they scored, before we got ours. We didn’t get a lot of good chances. Our goal was sort of a broken play. It ping-ponged around in front of the goal and came right to our player with their goalie basically on the other side of the net.”

In the bronze medal game Pokemon defeated Sports Experts 1-0.

Not to be outdone by the medal game, the battle for seventh place had all the same excitement as a championship game. The game went to overtime and then a shootout.

The Yukon Thunder ultimately prevailed, Gina MacLeod scored the only goal in the shootout.

Despite finishing in eighth place Ridge Pub player rep and defenceman, Julie Pruden says the team had a blast.

“We may have came in last, but we definitely had the most fun.”

The YBA is waiting on colder temperatures so they can start making the ice at the outdoor rink so the regular season can begin. Games will be played on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays.