By: Newell Durnbrooke | Photos by: Richard Lawrence | Originally published: Volume 22, Issue 12

On December 2, a VIP crowd of ambassadors and diplomats gathered at the University of Ottawa to cheer on the Lame Ducks hockey squad. The Lame Ducks consist of the Ottawa-based foreign military attachés – the vast majority of whom have never skated before being posted to Canada’s capital.

As true military warriors though, the Lame Ducks practice with dedication and vigour. Their opponents in this contest were General Officers and Flag Officers (GOFOs) led by team captain, CDS Jonathan Vance. To keep the game fair, Canada’s 74 year-old Commander-in-Chief, Governor General David Johnston donned the referee uniform.

Sporting their brand new uniforms, the GOFOs took the game hard against the Lame Ducks. Despite some heroic goaltending and the odd flash of offensive spark, the outcome was never much in doubt. Final score 6–3.

A great sport till the end David Johnston attended the postgame reception to glad hand the fans and players alike.

Lame duck player of the game was Captain Jorge Parga of Chile, and Major-General Al Meinzinger won the top honour for the GOFOs.

For Vance and the GOFO squad, this easy victory was a good opportunity for them to prepare for the upcoming Commando Hockey Challenge IV. The first game of this two-game series is scheduled for the afternoon of January 28 and will be played against the venerable Esprit de Corps Commando team. The Commandos won the first two Challenges, and the GOFOs won the last game. Vance intends to do everything legally possible to even the series with a victory on this next matchup. Stay Tuned.

For additional photos, click here.