Inside the Gates: Army and Air Force vie for the Commander’s Cup in Fairbanks

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTUU) - Fort Wainwright and Eielson Air Force went head-to-head in their annual hockey game the the Big Dipper Ice Arena on Saturday.

This year marked the 29th Annual Commander’s Cup, and the arena was packed with fans for both teams.

The first period proved one-sided, with the Air Force taking an early 4-1 lead. They added to that deficit with another two goals in the second period.

Each side scored an additional point in the third quarter before the Air Force put in the final goal, pulling off an 8-2 win. Their win allowed them to take back the cup after the Army’s victory last year.

The game broke the tie in the overall record for the Commander’s Cup, which now stands at 15-14 in favor of the Air Force.

Shawn Ryan showed up to root for the Air Force and said he’s been to a few of these games and goes every year.

“I love our country, and Air Force is just that much better than Army. You’ll see it here on the, on the scoreboard,” Ryan added.

Isiah Jones and Shaina Smith were also hoping for an Air Force win, saying they know someone playing.

“We’ve been to a couple of ice dog games, but this is the first Air Force-Army,” said Smith.

Jones called the matchup both fun and intense.

“We’ve been to a few hockey games, but I’d say like this event probably trumps all the other hockey games we’ve been to,” Jones said.

Royal LaPlante rooted for the Air Force as well.

“United States Airman right here,” he said.

Meanwhile, Garrison Commander Colonel Jason Cole, wearing an Army Arctic Warriors team jersey, said he had been in touch with Colonel Paul Townsend, Commander of the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson, before the game to wish each other luck.

Cole said both were impressed that the players had volunteered their time to build a new network of friends.

“Both teams here are winners tonight, but obviously as an army soldier, you know, I’m rooting for the Arctic Warrior team,” he added.

According to Cole, hockey fans like to see the “in-your-face sort of action moments” of the game, and that’s what he wants to see as well.

“We want to see a little bit of aggressiveness in our soldiers because that’s what we ask from them as army soldiers,” he said.

Cole praised the attitude of the crowd, saying, “They’re loud. They’re rambunctious, and so far, you know, not too much, you know, soldiers against airmen, just like last year, mingled. You can tell that they were, you know, great interactions, no matter who they were rooting for, and again this year you can see that.”

“I don’t think it really matters who wins. Everybody’s going to have a good time tonight, and I think the crowd is getting behind that as well,” Cole said.

See a spelling or grammar error? Report it to web@ktuu.com

Copyright 2025 KTUU. All rights reserved.