The third time was not the charm for Team Yukon at the Las Vegas Old-Timers Classic hockey tournament last weekend.

The two-time defending champions were met by a wave of younger, age 30-something players in Sin City this year, and the local boys ultimately failed to win the annual tournament for the first time. Team Yukon – average age 52 – finished sixth out of 12 teams with a record of 1-2-1.

"This is the best tournament we've ever been to,” team organizer Ron Daub told the Star.

"It's a very competitive tournament, but also a very friendly tournament. The Las Vegas atmosphere relaxes people, and we keep it very lighthearted.

"It's most enjoyable … and it's not just hockey. There's so much to do off the ice as well.”

The Yukoners kicked off their tournament Friday afternoon with a 3-3 tie to the Kimberly Hawks out of B.C.

They would remain unbeaten Saturday morning by edging the Chicago-based CCC Shamrocks 4-3, but finished the round robin with a loss to the Chicago Zombie Hearts 4-3 that afternoon.

Team Yukon ended their tournament by dropping the fifth-place game 4-3 to the Kimberly Hawks Sunday.

"We should have won that game, but their goalie shut us down,” Daub admitted.

Top Yukon scorer was Adam Green with seven goals. Other goal scorers included "ringer” Greg Charlie, Blaine Monahan, Joel Witten, Doug Terry, Bill Bohmer and Rob Green.

Over the past five years, the 54-year-old Daub has organized a trip to Juneau for the city's annual oldtimer hockey tournament in February.

Three years ago, he came across the Las Vegas tourney, and a conversation with Air North owner/team goalie Joe Sparling ended with a charter being booked to Sin City for a four-day trip.

The core of the team that played in Juneau agreed to attend the first Las Vegas tournament three years ago, which they won.

"We have a lot of pride,” Daub said. "The other teams are pleasantly surprised that we fly down direct from Whitehorse.”

Daub said Team Yukon became the "darlings of the tournament” three years ago when rumours began circulating that the mysterious Northern team had flown into Las Vegas with their team jet, with a booster club of 110 people on board.

"I never did dispel that rumour,” Daub chuckled.

The Yukoners' wives would often be the only fans in the stands, further elevating the team's mystique.

Daub thanked the ladies for their continued support, as well as local health minister Doug Graham for "supplying the beverage service.”

Graham is typically a member of the team, but pulled out this year to prepare for the sitting of the legislature, leaving his teammates disappointed.

"He always told us the legislature would never get in the way of hockey,” Daub joked.

The tournament is a North American Qualifier for nationals. Last year, Team Yukon entered the national playdowns in Calgary, but didn't fare well.

Daub said while the team is now looking into the possibility of entering a tournament in Hawaii, he said the Las Vegas trip will remain one circled on the calendar each year.

"We recommend any team interested in joining us to come out and play,” he said. "It's money well spent.”