'Battle of the Little Big Puck' celebrates 40th edition, raises over $6K for injured teen
CTV
A unique tradition between two communities going back 45 years celebrated its 40th edition Saturday night, raising money for a local rodeo cowboy who was injured in late 2022.
A unique tradition between two communities going back 45 years celebrated its 40th edition Saturday night, raising money for a local rodeo cowboy who was injured in late 2022.
Called ‘The Battle of the Little Big Puck,’ is played between the cowboys from Maple Creek and members of Neekaneet Cree Nation.
“The draw is the history,” Joe Braniff, organizer and player for the Cowboy team, told CTV News. “The players playing tonight, not only are we friends, but our parents knew one another, our grandparents and our great grandparents. There’s been a mutual friendship and respect for generations.”
Like any other hockey game, it started with the drop of the puck in the first period and a 0 – 0 score.
What makes this match unique, is the transformation that occurs when the score clock strikes zero at the end of the second period.
Both teams rush to the dressing room. Neekaneet on one side, where players change into traditional regalia, head dresses, and apply war paint.
The ranchers on the other side swap their helmets for cowboy hats and their hockey socks for leather chaps.
