Mr. Speaker, last weekend was a great one for Canada's national sport. While the national hockey team won the silver medal in Albertville, the Legislative Assembly's own high-flying team, "LA Senators," took to the ice in Fort Liard. The event was the opening of a new arena in Fort
Liard, and I would like to thank the honourable Member for Nahendeh, my friend Jim Antoine, for the kind invitation.
The game began immediately after the official opening ceremony, and we played three 30-minute periods. It was clear from the opening face-off that the strategy of the local team was to tire us out and then take advantage of our fatigue. I recognize that strategy, Mr. Speaker, because it is one that I have used myself from time to time in this House, and it almost worked for them, Mr. Speaker.
It was not long before the Minister of the Housing Corporation was experiencing dizzy spells. I think it may have been because our opponents were skating circles around him, not to mention the spinning and turning he was doing himself. Mr. Morin took the only penalty for body contact, whatever that means. Fortunately for our opponents, though, Mr. Arvaluk was holding back on taking out his aggression on the ice. I personally felt that this was motivated by his desire for a smooth resolution of the boundary issue.
The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Ernie Bernhardt, was our goal tender for most of the game and allowed only five of the eight goals scored against us, Mr. Speaker. Watching Mr. Bernhardt in the net, I was reminded of the earlier days when we took the first electronics progam at AVTC, Adult Vocational Training Centre, in Fort Smith, and were among the first northern students to receive our diplomas in the program. We used to watch Ken Dryden playing for the Canadiens at that time, and I wondered if Mr. Bernhardt was daydreaming of those days too, especially when the puck went trickling past him on several occasions.
Of course, one of the better "Stars on Ice" was our host, Jim Antoine. He showed a lot of leadership during the game, similar to the qualities which have brought him to the floor of this House.
---Applause