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RBC Play Hockey Charity Challenge Sweetens Some Dreams

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Players get their hustle back in Wednesday night’s RBC Play Hockey Charity Challenge. (Photo: Erin Pryde)

The RBC Play Hockey Charity Challenge did more than boost the spirits of hockey fans and give 39 players a chance to get back on the ice, it raised over $100,000 for the NHLPA Goals & Dreams Fund and the RBC Play Hockey initiative.

Before the players even had a chance to walk into the dressing rooms at Ryerson’s Mattamy Athletic Centre, formerly Maple Leaf Gardens, fans had lined up to see them and no matter the age, the smiles stretched from ear to ear.

As the players from Team Stamkos and Team Subban took to the ice for warm-up, fans had crowded themselves along the boards to watch hockey and reminisce. This was no ordinary game.

Not only were fans treated to a gathering of top hockey talent, but this was the first game that had brought two teams worth of NHL level talent back into the building since the last game was held at Maple Leaf Gardens between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Chicago Blackhawks on February 9, 1999. To add to the “nice touch” factor of the evening, Hockey Hall Of Fame linesman Ray “Scampy” Scapinello – who worked that final game – was on-hand to officiate, and fifth-year Ryerson Rams goaltender Louie George was thrown into the mix as the second goaltender for Team Subban..

I’m not sure what can be said about a charity game between a group of locked out hockey players. Were they happy to be playing in front of a packed house of adoring fans? It sure looked that way as they zipped up and down the rink with the roar of the crowd to ease their huffing and puffing.

Off the ice the players voiced their frustration but kept the positive outcome and “giddy for a hockey game” mood of the event.

“There’s a lot of people that are obviously missing hockey, but no one more than us,” said Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul. “It’s really a good feeling to get back out there and be around some of my teammates and just do a good thing for charity at the same time.” (Source: cbc.ca)

“Obviously it’s not a full skate, but it was a fun experience,” Logan Couture says. “It was a good atmosphere. These people here miss their hockey, and it was good to give them a little show. “(Source: sportsnet.ca)

“It’s weird to think we’re still in this position this late in December,” winger Daniel Winnik, a member of the NHLPA’s negotiating committee, said after the game. “I never envisioned us being in this position, I don’t think anybody did. But it was neat tonight, especially being at the old Maple Leaf Gardens. I remember being up in the stands in the green seats with my tyke teammates and Wendel Clark fighting right off the opening faceoff.” (Source: espn.com)

The score was fairly meaningless, except when it came to the goals scored by the kids from the Moss Park Hockey League during the first intermission. They had the chance to take on Team Stamkos netminder Jonas Gustavsson and Team Subban backstop Martin Biron with their goals going on the board for the teams they were given the opportunity to support.

Biron, the only goaltender who had played in the building while it was still Maple Leaf Gardens, deserves a Golden Goalie Award for Best Actor – Hockey Game Musical or Comedy. When asked about the score going into the second period – 9-3 for Team Stamkos – he replied:

“To be fair, four of those goals were by the little guys in the shootout.” (Source: sportsnet.ca)

Team Stamkos dominated from the very beginning, with Steven Stamkos and Teddy Purcell embarrassing the Team Subban defense. James Neal had the good fortune of being on the ice when many of the pucks were netted, but in most cases everyone including the goaltenders and coaches – Mathieu Schneider for Team Stamkos and Eric Lindros for Team Subban – were given the assists so it truly didn’t matter where the players were in the building at the time of the goals.

Detroit Red Wings’ contributors Dan Cleary, Niklas Kronwall, and (soon to be a superstar because the Leafs traded him away) Jonas Gustavsson were top performers, as was New Jersey Devils forward David Clarkson.

Local Leafs favourites – Phil Kessel, Matthew Lombardi, Joffrey Lupul, Jay McClement, John-Michael Liles, Tim Connolly, Clarke MacArthur, David Steckel, Mike Komisarek and Dion Phanef – were cheered on and picked on as if they were in the midst of any old Leafs game. At one point a heckler from a few rows behind me yelled clear-as-day towards the ice: “Phaneuf’s already in mid-season form, letting everything past him!” He was rewarded with many pats on the back and hoots and hollers. Tomas Kaberle – excuse me, Tomas Kaberblah – was also picked on throughout the evening. Oh, Toronto hockey fans! You are always so kind.

After Michael Leighton took over netminding duties for Team Stamkos, Team Subban slowly inched ahead but was unable to get back in the game and Team Stamkos won with a final score of 14-10.

Following the game David Clarkson took the time to meet with fans in one of the penalty boxes, posing for pictures, chatting and signing autographs. Other players hoisted small children from their parents’ arms and over the boards so they could have their photos taken. Steven Stamkos, P.K. Subban, Chris Kelly, Dan Cleary, Jonas Gustavsson, Niklas Kronwall, Michael Leighton, Michael Del Zotto, Daniel Winnik and others also stopped for the fans waiting outside to sign autographs and have photos taken as they were leaving the rink.

For those who were in attendance, the RBC Play Hockey Charity Challenge was a very sweet holiday treat and a game that won’t soon be forgotten. Nice work, guys.

Steven Stamkos and Teddy Purcell plot the demise of Team Subban. (Photo: Erin Pryde)

Hockey fans pack the rink to watch their favourites warm up. (Photo: Erin Pryde)

Niklas Kronwall and David Clarkson hold a meeting of the minds at centre ice. Dion Phaneuf was not invited and went to pout on the Team Stamkos bench. (Photo: Erin Pryde)

Danny Cleary and Michael Del Zotto fight to pry the puck away from Dan Winnik as Michael Leighton looks on in fear. (Photo: Erin Pryde)

David “Superstar” Clarkson fires one past Mike Komisarek and over Michael Leighton’s left should in the third period. (Photo: Erin Pryde)

Merry Christmas! (Photo: Erin Pryde)

 

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