Spending some time with the folks involved with the Spittin' Chiclets podcast would have some appeal to a large number of local hockey fans - but that wasn't at the top of the priority list as Ryan Allick and the Sudbury Ball Hogs made their way to London last month.

The local ball hockey fanatics captured the Division C crown of the Ciclets Cup, the cherry-on-the-cake of their five game winning streak being a 6-5 win over a squad from Buffalo, with Luke Bar netting the game-winning goal with under a second to play.

"It was nice to get this win, especially with the prestige of this tournament," noted Allick, who team includes a handful of gents who also enjoyed success with the Play On three on three street hockey format that has come to Sudbury in the past.

"I grew up playing ball hockey outside," Allick added. "Parker (Camirand) and I have played togeter since we were ten or eleven."

In fact, it is the knowledge of the Sudbury crew to excel in this particular format, where space is at a premium, that speaks volumes to their ability to overcome opponents from both sides of the border.

"Something we take pride in is simply battling for the ball," said Allick. "We might not have the most skill, but we work hard to get the ball."

Rounding out the Ball Hogs roster are Ryan Mooney, Calvin McAnsh, Parker Camirand, Tanner Webkamigad, Riley Lavallee and goaltender Justin Soucy.

The Sudbury Zambronis also competed at the event, taking their shot within the Division "A" ranks and advancing to the quarter-finals before being eliminated.

Both teams are part of the GSBHL (Greater Sudbury Ball Hockey League) that hosted provincial playdowns in Sudbury for the first time in Ontario ball hockey history this past August.