"Rob Alexander Night" went as well as it possibly could for the Fort St. John Senior Flyers on Day 2 of the 2019 Coy Cup. The Flyers retired Robbie Alexander's jersey in a warm and touching ceremony before beating the Dawson Creek Senior Canucks 3-1 in front of the Flyers' largest crowd of the season.
Alexander played with the Flyers from 1968 to 1983, captaining many of those teams and leading them to nine South Peace Hockey League and All Peace Hockey League championships. He has continued to be a staple in the Fort St. John hockey community, repeatedly volunteering for not just Flyers events, but minor hockey and amateur events each year.
"We're honoured to be here to retire the jersey of a man who truly loves the sport, who loves watching his grandsons play and all the kids of the kids he coached. Congratulations Dad," said Alexander's daughter, Bobbie-Jo Alexander at the end of her speech.
Flyers President Paul van Nostrand spoke, as did Alexander's nephew Heath MacDonald, in front of Alexander, his wife Donna, and their family. Following the speeches, Alexander's banner was raised to the rafters alongside his brother Gary Alexander's banner, as well as those of Jim Anderson and Rod Fonteyne. Alexander was also presented with a framed jersey, and a plaque from Canucks captain Jeff Taylor.
As for the game, it was a very tight game throughout. The Canucks came out hitting hard, and took the lead early in the first period. The Flyers bounced back in the second on a goal from Reid Campbell, his fourth of the tournament.
In the third, Rick Cleaver put the Flyers up for good, and Robbie Sidhu added some insurance with a breakaway goal. The Flyers are now 2-0 and can advance to Saturday's Coy Cup Final with a win at 8 p.m. today against the Williams Lake Stampeders. The Canucks are 1-1, and with a win against the Prince Rupert Rampage at 3 p.m. will advance to either the semi-final or final.
Email sports reporter Dillon Giancola at sports@ahnfsj.ca.
