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Hockey night a real winner
BIG WIGS IN BARRIE: Canadian political leaders stop in for work, play
| Source: |
The Barrie Examiner |
| Date: |
August 13, 2010 |
| Author: |
Stephen Sweet |
Where else can you see hockey and political icons at the same
time?
It was a night of part hockey, part spectacle at the Barrie Molson
Centre, as Hockey Night in Barrie III brought in more than 4,000 fans
and numerous celebrities to the south end of town.
The charity hockey event was played to benefit the Royal Victoria
Hospital and its regional cancer centre, something that has touched
many involved with the night.
"My dad died from cancer at the age of 45," said former NHL star
Shayne Corson, a Barrie native. "It was myself and people from the RVH
that started the original Hockey Night in Barrie and they've just kept
it going."
This year's edition was brandished with a $200,000 cheque during the
second intermission for cancer research at the RVH, further enabling
the hospital to continue what they've been doing for years.
"They did so much for us when my dad was sick," Corson said. "I wanted
to come back and thank them and support them for what they did for
us."
Once again, he was joined on his wing by brother-in-law Darcy Tucker,
who was happy to be there.
"It's a huge event for my family and I, and we're excited to come out
here," Tucker said. "It's been a great event for the last couple of
years, and we're going to continue to support it."
But this year, they were not the main attraction.
"It's amazing to have the Prime Minister at the event," said Corson, a
member of the 1998 men's hockey team at the Olympic Games in
Nagano.
"The Prime Minister means so much to our country and does so much for
us. To have him here supporting Barrie and this charity is amazing,
and we're thankful to have him here."
Former Barrie Colts forward Bryan Cameron, who scored a
franchise-record 53 goals this past year, had a bit tougher of a time
getting to the dressing room than he did during the regular
season.
"I saw (Harper) and his crew coming in here, so I just gave them
space," Cameron said. "They were clearing the way for his people. It's
something different, that's for sure."
Alan Frew, the lead singer for Glass Tiger, kicked off the night by
singing I Believe, the song that he wrote for the Olympic Games this
past February in Vancouver.
After that, it was time to introduce the lineups. Former Colts and
NHLers dominated in the applause category, but a very warm welcome was
also given for Col. J.P. Meloche, base commander at CFB
Borden.
Once everyone was out on the ice, RVH chair Don Pratt, introduced by
Barrie MP Patrick Brown, gave a brief speech.
But while people's ears were tuned in to Pratt, their eyes veered over
to his right, where Don Cherry and Stephen Harper were
standing.
The Prime Minister would say a few words moments after, to a very
positive reaction from the crowd inside the BMC.
"Canada is the only country on earth where a group of volunteers could
fill a hockey rink on a summer night with over 4,000 fans to watch a
pick-up game and raise money for a good cause," said Prime Minister
Harper to the crowd.
"That is what makes our country so great, combining the greatest game
on earth with volunteer community spirit to support a cause that
benefits us all."
He then thanked Cherry, for not making him wear the same jacket that
'Grapes' had on. The Hockey Night in Canada mainstay was wearing, as
expected, another loud outfit.
During the game, Harper stood behind the bench of Team Blue, sharing
space with Cherry as the team's head coaches.
Michael Burgess followed the Prime Minister's words by singing the
national anthem, and after a moment of silence, Cherry spoke briefly,
thanking the crowd for their enthusiasm and support.
The game had its usual quirks, like Kurt Browning going into a figure
skating routine and removing his jersey, and referee Blaine Angus
deciding that an early second period tripping penalty would somehow
turn into a penalty shot for Tucker.
"I've got no new moves this year," said Tucker, who wowed the crowd
with a dazzling goal last time around. "I've only got my old
moves."
It wouldn't matter, as his 360-degree spin and shoot move fooled
former Colt Michael Hutchinson and brought the crowd to its
feet.
For fans like Derek White, it was a great event to take in.
"It's a great cause," said White, wearing a Corson jersey in
admiration of his hero. "I was happy to come out and support
it."
At the end of the second period, the teams participated in a penalty
shootout.
Some notable scorers were National Defence Minister Peter MacKay and
former tough guy Troy Crowder, with the pair separated by just nine
NHL goals during their careers.
The 2009-10 Colts Stefan Della Rovere and Luke Pither also pocketed
markers.
Team Blue would win 11-8, but at the end of the day, everyone went
home satisfied.
"If we can raise enough money for the RVH to help save a family from
going through what so many like mine have had to, then it's all worth
it," Corson said.
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