With the state of today's National Hockey League embroiled in uncertainty and controversy, fans can be thankful that there is a lighter side of the game - a side that's less serious, less business-like and less violent.
That game came to the Brennan Park Recreation Centre on Sunday (March 14), when the Vancouver Canucks Alumni team hit the ice for a charity contest against the talented Squamish Bald Eagles men's over-35 hockey club.
In Sunday's game, body checking was replaced with good-natured ribbing in the corners, slapshots replaced with quick and accurate wrist shots and stickwork was reserved for a few lucky young fans who took home a very special souvenir at game's end.
"It's great to be able to bring these ex-NHLers to Squamish," said event organizer Rhe Lacoursiere. "It's nice for the hockey fans to be able to come out and watch some decent live hockey in support of a good cause."
With the now-infamous Bertuzzi incident still a hot topic with hockey fans all across North America, hundreds of Squamish supporters turned out to see a different kind of hockey. It was still fast-paced and loaded with talent, but in this game there were no egos and no paycheques. Canucks jerseys were everywhere, showing their support for both the Alumni team and the Canucks of the NHL.
"It's cool because you get to see all the ex-NHL guys playing against our home team," said Dylan Martinello, 11. "Hockey is the best sport in the world - it's fast with lots of action and adrenaline and it's great to experience in Squamish."
The Canucks Alumni team plays numerous charity games throughout the season all across the province, and their visit to Squamish was their last of the season. All of the players play for free and all money raised goes directly to minor hockey and to the Canucks Alumni Fund.
"It's a great day's entertainment for everyone," added Lacoursiere. "People can come and enjoy themselves and it's a great opportunity for us to play against a great bunch of guys. And it's great for the kids because they can see the players live and in person and get to talk to them after the game."
For the Squamish Bald Eagles, the game was a fun, friendly affair that gave players a chance to measure their skills against ex-professionals.
The Bald Eagles will be heading to Ottawa on March 28 to compete in the Canadian Adult Recreational Hockey Association's (CARHA) World Cup.
The Bald Eagles won the World Cup in 2000, beating the Norwegian National team in the finals. This year, they'll be up against 120 teams all in the over-35 age bracket.
The Vancouver Canucks Alumni, who have been playing with an ever-changing roster for more nearly 30 years, are somewhat of hockey's version of the Harlem Globetrotters.
"We're supposed to win," said Canucks Alumni General Manager Norm Jewison. "We like to keep it light-hearted and keep the mood of the game purely fun. Most of these guys were all professionals at one time so they really love the game and love the camaraderie," added Jewison.
For Bill Ranford, an all-star goalie for many years in the NHL, the charity games are a way to stay connected to the game in a different position.
"I've been playing on the team for two years now and every time we play it's fun. It's like a new lease on life to get out of the net," said Ranford, who plays on the blue line for the Alumni. "It's a great opportunity to raise money for charity - that's what it's all about."
The packed house saw plenty of fast-paced action and highlight reel plays, and also some first rate hi-jinx. When Bob Versluis scored the home team's first goal midway through the first period, little did he know that he'd have a surprise dessert waiting for him at centre ice. As a distraction, the Canucks players presented him with an Alumni team jersey which he gladly slipped over his head. But then a swift-skating Jackson Davies (of Beachcombers fame), came in from behind Versluis and congratulated him with a surprise pie in the face.
"It was a lucky shot," said Versluis of the goal. "It just came onto my stick off the rebound and went in off [Gary] Nyland's knee."
Judging by the smile on his face, Versluis took the prank in stride.
"It's the funnest game of the year," he said. "It's just great to be able to play against these guys and we seem to do okay out there. It's pretty awesome just to watch them play - they control the puck so well."
Both teams displayed great puck-handling and passing throughout the contest, but the talent of the ex-pros proved to be too much for the Bald Eagles to handle. The host team got into trouble breaking out of their own zone in the third, and the Canucks pounced on the mistakes. They scored five goals in the third to put the game out of reach. The game ended in a 10-3 decision for the Alumni squad.
Randy LeBlanc, Bob Versluis and Claudio Nonis scored for the Bald Eagles.
"It was an awesome game," said first-year Alumni player and former Canucks defensive star Jyrki Lumme. "These guys have a pretty good squad - they kept us skating that's for sure." It's nice to see the community support the cause, we all had a great time."
Not only did the young fans also have a great time, they also came to learn by watching. Pee Wee rep goalie Corey Koop, 11, and his brother Brandon, 7, who plays Novice hockey in Squamish, both voiced their excitement.
"I love hockey so I'm here for some fun and excitement," said Corey. "I watch the goalies to see what they do so I can learn."
"I like the Canucks a lot and I'm here to see some good action," said Brandon. "This is awesome!"
Like the game in which they once made a living at, the players on the Alumni team show no signs of slowing down.
"We do it for the love of the game," said Jewison. "It's a game you can keep playing your whole life. You don't see many Alumni football teams out there. We just want to keep putting smiles on people's faces."
