by Garrett Fodor
In what has been a friendly rivalry throughout the years, the Army and the Navy faced-off on the ice to battle for supremacy and the 5th annual “Grapes Cup” on Sunday afternoon.
During the game, members from the local Army and Navy hit the ice at the Essex Centre Sports Complex, vying for bragging rights and supremacy, with both sides looking to take home the “Grapes Cup.”
The show of camaraderie and tradition amongst the sides started nearly 10-years ago and was built around the rich sports tradition around the two, while bringing the region's military history and roots to the forefront.
Each side’s roster is composed of active service men and women who are from Windsor-Essex. HMCS Hunter provides the members for the Navy side, while the Army side consists of members from the Windsor Regiment, the 31st Service Battalion, and the Essex-Kent Scottish Regiment.
While the game provided a chance for brothers and sisters in arms to suit up alongside one another, it also provided a chance to connect with the community, with a free skate with the teams following the conclusion of the game.
While admission to the match and the free skate were offered without charge, attendees were encouraged to contribute non-perishable food items for collection by the Essex Area Food Bank.
“We wanted a way to connect with our community, while also showcasing the rich sporting traditions and team aspects around both the Army and the Navy,” Petty Officer 2nd Class, Adam Mitchell, said. He has helped to plan, organize, and participate in the tournament each year. “I didn’t think a lot of people knew about the rich military history and tradition within Windsor-Essex and this a great way to showcase it, while also having active members in the stands. The event is now Windsor-Essex’s longest-run military sporting event.”
While the event started nearly 10-years ago, Mitchell noted they had paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, before starting again last year. The event has changed throughout the years. Last year’s edition of the event was more quaint, played under the lights at Lanspeary Park. This year’s event being held in Essex featured several hundred people in attendance around the main bowl.
Prior to the puck drop, both sides lined the blue lines before a ceremonial faceoff, with the puck being dropped by 94-year-old Navy Veteran Petty Officer 1st Class, John Russell Perry. The ceremonies concluded with the colours being presented by members of the Essex Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion (Branch 201) before renditions of “God Save the King” and “O Canada” were performed by the Windsor Regiment Band.
On the ice, both teams had their chances early with the crowd quick to support and encourage both sides. Offensively, it was the Navy team who opened the scoring and held a 2-0 lead heading into the second intermission. However, in the third, the offense began to break through and surged. The Army side came out firing, getting on the board, and taking the lead before Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam Mitchell scored in the dying seconds to force overtime. In the extra time, it was the Army that prevailed, hoisting the Grapes Cup for the first time in the tournament’s history.
After the game, members of the public were able to join the teams and skate with active military members and active sailors around the ice. The opportunity also provided the chance to connect with participants beyond seeing them in uniform.
Departing the ice post-game, any rivalries on the ice were left, as Mitchell noted both sides were headed to the Essex Legion to celebrate and connect.
Mitchell thanked the community for their support and for helping make the event possible, along with the generosity shown by the Essex 73’s organization in organizing and supporting the event and UNIFOR for helping to cover costs. He was also grateful for all of the support received from the community of Essex as a whole for this year’s edition of the Grapes Cup.