Forty years ago this week, the defending CCAA champions hosted the 1982 CCAA National Hockey Championship on the heels of placing first in the regular season and repeating as ACAC champions.

The SAIT Trojans posted a record of 16 wins, 6 losses, and two ties during the 1981-82 campaign to finish in top spot by four points over the second place NAIT Ooks.

In one best of three ACAC semi final series, the Trojans faced the fourth place Camrose Lutheran College Vikings. SAIT scored five powerplay goals in the lid lifter en route to a 5-4 victory over Camrose. Rich Norberg then completed the hat trick as SAIT completed the sweep with an 8-2 win.

In the other best of three ACAC semi final series, the second place NAIT Ooks faced the third place Red Deer College Kings. Ken Hodge blocked 47 shots in the series opener as NAIT blanked Red Deer 2-0. Dale Kolada scored one goal and added four assists as the Ooks shutout the Kings 5-0. Once again, Hodge recorded the shutout blocking 45 shots.

After splitting the regular season series with three wins, three losses, and two ties, SAIT and NAIT hooked up in the best of five ACAC final. In Calgary, Doug Panchuk netted the winner after 87 minutes and 47 seconds of action to give SAIT a 3-2 win. John Mercer and Curt Hunter also scored for the Trojans while Ray Anderson and Dale Kolada replied for the Ooks. Darrell Slupek then banged home the winner with 8:17 gone in the third as NAIT doubled SAIT 4-2. Dave Souch, Gary Hoekstra, and Pat Kernaghan rounded out the NAIT scoring while Rich Norberg answered with both SAIT tallies. In Edmonton, the Trojans scored a pair of 4-2 victories to take the series three games to one.

In the sudden death qualifier for CCAA Nationals, the Trojans travelled to Moose Jaw and doubled the Saskatchewan Technical Institute Beavers 8-4. Rich Norberg’s four goals led the way for SAIT. Mark Blondin, Darcy Erickson, Wayne Merkel, and Darren Woitas rounded out the scoring for the Trojans.

At the CCAA National Championships in Calgary, the four team tournament featured the champions of the ACAC and the OCAA as well as the fifth place team from the FASCQ and the host team (NAIT).

In semi final action, the Seneca College Braves edged the SAIT Trojans 4-3. Rod Chypyha stopped 37 shots. Only the Pierce twins, Rodger and Ron, could bend the twine for SAIT. Ron had two goals while Rodger had one. Greg Tennant, Brian Hermanutz, and Ray Anderson each tallied twice as NAIT outscored the Limoilou College Titans 10-3. Tom Tookey, Dale Kolada, Gary Hoekstra, and Kent Wilmot also scored for the Ooks.

In the bronze medal game, Yves Ferlatte completed the hat trick to pace Limoilou to an 8-6 victory over SAIT. Ron Pierce, Rodger Pierce, Wayne Merkel, Jim Snodgrass, Curt Hunter, and Blair Peebles lit the lamp for the Trojans in a losing effort.

In the gold medal game, Ken Hodge turned away 43 shots and Wayne Perkins tallied twice as NAIT blanked Seneca 3-0. Ron Chorney completed the scoring for the Ooks.

For the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, it was their first national championship in any sport.

For the Ooks hockey program, it was the first of seven triumphs at CCAA sanctioned events -- six CCAA National Hockey Championships and one CCAA Challenge Cup.

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