The annual Kingston Cup was played at CFB Shilo Gunner Arena on Oct. 31, with the tournament being brought froward from the regular December game, due to upcoming deployments.  Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag Media

K-J Millar
Shilo Stag Media

In a close defeat, B Battery ruled supreme against the reigning 1 RCHA A Battery by winning the 2024 Kingston Cup with a final score of 3-2 played on Oct. 31.

In traditional fashion, it was a glove throwdown minutes after the 8 a.m. puck drop, with a friendly spar, in which one team captain lost his jersey but was cheered on by the crowd in Gunner Arena.

The closely scored tournament was brought forward more than a month from its usual December St. Barbara’s Day scheduled game in light of current personnel overseas deployments. More than 500 CAF members will be deployed in the coming weeks.

The Kingston Cup’s history dates back to 1873, outliving the National Hockey League’s (NHL) crown jewel, the Stanley Cup. It is competed for by Canadian Armed Forces Members, specifically 1 RCHA, on St. Barbara’s Day.

Saint Barbara is the patron saint of gunners, engineers and others who work with cannons and explosives. She was an early Christian Greek martyr born in mid-third-century Phoenicia.

PHOTO GALLERY: