STORY BY: maryanne.firth@sunmedia.ca
April Jeffs came with her game face on.
The Wainfleet mayor and captain of the Niagara South hockey team came ready to play on Sunday, or perhaps ready to fight.
During the first period of the inaugural Niagara South vs. Niagara North Municipal Face Off Charity Event, Jeffs gave the crowd a show when she threw down her gloves during a face off and picked a friendly fight with Niagara North player and West Lincoln Mayor Doug Joyner.
Leaving Joyner with his jersey over his head in a matter of seconds, Jeffs claimed victory, throwing her hands in the air as the crowd roared.
It was a day all in fun for the mayors, councillors and chief administrative officers who strapped on their skates to support the Niagara Peninsula Children’s Centre.
And while it seems a good time was had by all, with plenty of pranks — including multiple pucks and overturned goalie nets — happening on ice, it was Niagara South which ultimately dominated the game, defeating their Niagara North counterparts 7-3.
The southern team will have its name engraved on a plaque that will be up for grabs annually at Wainfleet’s new staple event.
“I’m happy with the turnout,” Jeffs said as she looked out over the busy stands at Wainfleet Arena. “I hope it gets bigger every year.”
Jim Marino was also pleased to see so many seats filled.
The executive director of Niagara Peninsula Children’s Centre Foundation was taken aback by the amount of enthusiasm displayed by both the players and the crowd.
“Miracles happen every day” at the centre, Marino said. “These people are all a part of those miracles.”
Marcia Boros knows all about miracles.
Her son Ryan, now 14, has been visiting the children’s centre since he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at two-and-a-half. He’s made amazing progress and now not only chairs Wainfleet’s youth advisory council, but also dropped the puck at Sunday’s event.
“It’s nice to see the community come together for such a worthy cause,” Marcia said.
“There are so many people in the region who would be lost if there wasn’t a place like (the centre) here.”
“It’s a truly amazing organization.”
Providing support for the NPCC is part of the reason why Wainfleet youth Laryssa Merzanis put on her winter gear and headed to the arena Sunday.
The other part was to, of course, cheer on her township’s fearless leader.
“Go April!” Merzanis screamed from the crowd, waving a sign of encouragement for the sole female on the ice.
“It’s hilarious,” she said of the game. “Very entertaining.”
The hockey game was followed by a public skate with municipal officials, as well as beer and chili served up by Wainfleet firefighters.