What an incredible day at the Lac du Bonnet Arena for the U7 Face Off! On Sunday, November 2, 202,5, Lac du Bonnet Lightning hosted 12 enthusiastic U7 teams with 155 young players hitting the ice! The event was filled with energy, teamwork, and smiles from start to finish.

The Under-7 Faceoff Festival is a grassroots initiative that sees a collaborative hosting effort by Hockey Manitoba, its Regions, and Minor Hockey Associations. The objectives of this initiative are to create a fun, exciting event for players through the promotion and benefits of cross-ice hockey, skill development and age-appropriate training while supporting coaches through a sustainable Under-7 Coach Mentorship program throughout the branch.

Families, volunteers, and coaches came together to create an unforgettable experience for our youngest hockey stars. The excitement in the arena was contagious as players showed off their growing skills, sportsmanship, and love for the game. It was a busy day for our arena, each team played 2 games and had a chance to enjoy off-ice activities, including a craft station and playing Plinko for prizes. The canteen was hopping busy serving delicious food all day. One lucky 50/50 winner took home $367.