The Yarmouth Junior A Mariners are winning on the ice and spreading holiday cheer outside the rink.
Each week, the Mariners team up with mentally and physically challenged youth for the Icy Knights program.
Last night, the group spent the evening at Beacon Church building gingerbread houses.
Head Coach and General Manager Laurie Barron started the program 10 years ago, and his daughter Natalie attends.
Barron says it’s like having a team builder every Wednesday night.
“I know from Nat being in our household, how excited she is every Wednesday night. It’s a win-win for everyone involved. If anyone gets a chance, they should come out Wednesday nights.”
The winners of the contest were Mariners Co-Captain Duncan McKie and Keegan Gauthier, along with their buddies Ryan Cottreau and Nick Adams.
Nick Adams, Keegan Gauthier, Duncan McKie and Ryan Cottreau are the winners of the gingerbread house contest at @MarinersHockey Icy Knights. pic.twitter.com/u7tNYKwQrV
— Kevin Northup (@KevinNorthup) December 6, 2017
Carmen Coffin has been helping to organize Icy Knights since the beginning.
Coffin says it takes a lot of planning ahead of time.
“The boys tonight are doing the gingerbread houses with the kids, and tomorrow they’re delivering them to the Meadows Senior home. It’s a two-way street here. The kids are getting all the fun, and the boys are as well, and then tomorrow they get to spread cheer to the seniors. It’s great participation in the community.”
@MarinersHockey Icy Knights about to hold their annual gingerbread house contest, and I’m the judge! #ToughCall pic.twitter.com/uGT4Ok9wce
— Kevin Northup (@KevinNorthup) December 6, 2017
@MarinersHockey and their buddies working hard on their gingerbread houses at Icy Knights! pic.twitter.com/J1ifzZqDyJ
— Kevin Northup (@KevinNorthup) December 6, 2017