A group of Montreal Canadiens alumni didn’t disappoint in last Thurday’s charity game, skating to an 11-10 win over the Chilly Wackers at Prospera Centre.
The game was held to raise money for the Chilliwack Society for Community Living and nearly 2,300 tickets were sold.
Hockey Hall of Famer Steve Shutt coached a Habs roster which included goaltender Richard Sévigny and skaters Patrice Brisebois, Glen Metropolit, Oleg Petrov, Stéphane Richer, Chris Nilan, Keith Acton, John Scott, Normand Dupont and Marc-Andre Bergeron.
The CSCL’s Jeff Dartnell skated for the Chilly Wackers and says it was a memorable experience playing Habs legends in front of an electric crowd.
“It was fantastic and the thrill of a lifetime,” he said. “The skill, skating and shot — you realize they’re good but until it’s up close and personal you don’t realize just how good. They were professionals right so they’re really good hockey players.”
Dartnell said all of the Habs were nice guys, though they did have some underhanded moments on the ice.
“They had some planned… what… segments I guess?” Dartnell said. “There was one where a guy, I think it was Bergeron, faked an injury and the trainer came out with a bucket of water.
“Our team eventually got that bucket of water (thrown) on our bench. Three guys got soaked and I was one of them.”
The Chilly Wackers used their connections (see: Squiala Chief David Jimmie) to get use of the Chilliwack Chiefs dressing room before the game and Chiefs head coach Jason Tatarnic delivered a pre-game talk.
“If you want to call it that,” Dartnell laughed. “It was pretty funny.
Honestly, it was an unbelievable night that I’ll never forget, and I’ve heard from every single guy (on our team) through a little text or an email saying they’ve still got a smile on their face.”