The Icelandic Canadian - 01.12.2002, Page 21

Vol. 57 #3
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
105
carried into hockey - and with a vengeance!
“Icelanders Play Hockey” was the
sports writers’ headline after the first game
between the Vikings and IACs and it was
reported that they might be lacking in some
of the finer points of the game - but did
they have colour! There was plenty of it—
the ice being splattered with red! This was
only a forerunner of the sensational con-
flicts that followed and “feud” was the only
word for the year-in year-out partisanship
that grew deeper and had far-reaching
effects upon the social life of the communi-
ty. So much so that if a Viking was seen out
walking with a North-end girl, his team-
mates wondered if his loyalty to his Club
was weakening and on the other hand, to
win a “queen” of the opposing camp was
just one more way of showing superiority.
Young Jack Swanson was bold enough to
win the sister of the Vikings’ crafty centre-
man, Mike Johnson. The girl remained a
faithful supporter of the Vikings but her
heart was with fair young Jack whose well-
knit figure flashed along the right boards
on the IAC attack.
Let us endeavour to recall some of the
originals in action and their characteristics
of play. The Vikings in red jerseys with
large, white Vs and white pants, the IACs
in dark blue sweaters and black pants.
The IAC goal was soundly guarded by
VIKING HOCKEY CLUB
Icelandic Championship of Manitoba
Circa 1897-1902
Back row: Skuli Hanson, Exec.; Thorold Johnson, Pres.; Oliver
Olsen, fwd; Big Sam Johnson, rover/fwd; Joe Palson, Paul Johnson,
point; Ami Anderson, r. wing.
Front row: Fred Olsen, goal; Mike Johnson, centre; Henry
Thompson, cover point.