The second annual competition for the Coupe Bingham Cup took place on February 3rd. The match, which took place on the rink at Bingham Park, featured a reprise of 2017, with a team from the U.S. embassy competing against past and present members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery.
Last year, the unseasonably warm weather on February 18th forced the teams to play the match wearing boots. This year the game took place on one of the very few weekends where the weather was winter-like and the players were able to wear skates.
While the weather may have been different, the result was the same as last year, with the U.S. team prevailing once again by a one-goal margin, 8 to 7.
Hot coffee, cold chocolate milk and chocolates for the players and spectators were provided by Bridgehead Coffee and the Lowertown Community Association. Gift certificates for the Sens House, The Lowertown Brew Pub and Cornerstones were provided by Ottawa Venues. These were awarded to the captains and the most valuable player of each team. A special award was made to the oldest player in the match, 72-year-old ex-newsman and current Senator Jim Munson. Fittingly, it was a gift certificate to the Sens House.
Thanks go out to the sponsors and players who made the event a success. Special thanks go to Peter Thomas-Gaby and Reed Ericson, who worked hard to get the ice surface and the equipment ready for the event. Once again, thanks are owed to a small team of volunteers who this year, like the postal service, battled rain, sleet and snow to keep Bingham rink open for the community.