The Icelandic Canadian - 01.05.2008, Page 46

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THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Vol. 61 #2
This opening chapter provides a clear
picture of the tenacious hockey rivalry, the
prejudice that would have to be overcome
later to get a spot in the Senior Men’s
League, and the perseverance, work ethic
and determined attitude of the Icelanders
that it took to make that happen.
In 1911 the team joined the newly
formed Manitoba Independent league and
played until hockey was put on hold by the
onset of the First World War and a flu epi-
demic that ravaged the city. By 1919 the
boys had returned home, romances heated
up and the renewed Falcons rose again.
David gives us a vivid play-by-play
account of all the games, the back room
reconnoitering and blackmail that the
wealthy and powerful Mac MacPherson
plots to keep the boys out of the Senior
League and the smart maneuvers of the
Icelandic business men that got them in.
The final games leading up to and
including the Allen Cup are as exciting as if
you were in the stands. The tension is pal-
pable and the excitement overwhelming.
Their first big wins in Manitoba, then Fort
William, and finally the University of
Toronto Varsity team led them to a ship in
Flalifax and on to Antwerp for the first
Olympic hockey championship. The
Falcons were on their way to making histo-
ry and a dream come true.
A mishap with their equipment did not
deter them from their purpose. They rose
to meet the challenge, especially against the
Americans, “their body language relayed
the confidence and indomitable spirit that
was the hallmark of their Viking ances-
tors.” In capturing the gold medal they
proved to be great ambassadors for their
country and the game of hockey.
Included in the novel are actual pho-
tographs of the players with a note on their
future after the Falcons. David has suc-
ceeded in bringing the individual players
alive for us. Throughout the book there’s
something of the character of each member
of the Falcons revealed and by the end you
feel that you know them.
In a very unique way David Square has
taken the actual story of the Winnipeg
Falcon hockey club’s victory at the 1920
Olympics and turned it into a highly enter-
taining novel.
Editorial Note: The article “Romance
of the Falcons,” (Sports Saga of the
Vikings) appears in the Fall 1996 issue of
the Icelandic Canadian and was subse-
quently reprinted (revised and up-dated),
in Vol.57 #5, 2002 issue of the magazine.
The Icelandic Canadian 2002 edition can
be found on Brian Johannesson’s website:
www. winnipegfalcons. com