Ottawa Sens Alumni at Richmond arena

Posted Feb 7, 2013 By EMC News

EMC sports - There were traces of Slap Shot, the 1977 comedy film about a minor league hockey team that resorts to violent play to gain popularity. There was a Hanson brother look-alike, complete with thick glasses taped together. And there was a pseudo fight, with two players, including the recently retired Shean Donovan, grappling with each other.

But more in evidence than these glimpses of the movie Slap Shot was the skill level of the Ottawa Senators Alumni as they took on the Richmond Munster Minor Hockey Association (RMMHA) coaches in a fundraising game at the Richmond arena last Saturday afternoon, Feb. 2.

The Alumni gave a textbook performance of positional play, of passing, of teamwork - they may have slowed down a step or two from their professional playing days but their skills were eminently on display.

And while they may no longer have National Hockey League level speed, they were still Roadrunner fast compared to the RMMHA coaches, who really had to push themselves to try to keep up.

The Alumni ended up winning, if anyone was keeping track of the score (officially, it was 12-4 for the Alumni), but the real winners were the fans who nearly filled the stands at the Richmond arena as they got to witness some skillful hockey, some playful hockey and some entertaining hockey, all on view in this game.

You even had Stuntman Stu of radio fame, the Senators announcer, suit up and play with the Alumni, an added treat in this game.

You had Alumni skating the full length of the ice with the puck, with the RMMHA coaches unable to take the puck from him. And what about the penalty shot with the net turned around - the Alumni managed to score despite this maneuver.

So, right from the opening ceremonial faceoff with the puck being dropped by city of Ottawa Rideau-Goulbourn ward councillor Scott Moffatt and King's Your Independent Grocer owner Chris King through to the final whistle and then beyond with an autograph session, the Ottawa Senators Alumni visit to the Richmond arena was not only a fun and memorable event but also a successful fundraiser for the RMMHA thanks to the $5 admission fee, a silent auction and the generosity of the Alumni who donated their $1,500 share of the proceeds back to the RMMHA.

The Alumni lineup for this game included Shean Donovan, an Ottawa 67's graduate who finished out his National Hockey League career with the Ottawa Senators, Shawn Rivers of the Tampa Bay Lighting, Fred Barrett of the Minnesota North Stars (yes, there was such a team), Chris Valentine of the Washington Capitals, Brad Brown of the Minnesota Wild, and goalie Gerry Armstrong, a veteran Alumni presence.

The RMMHA coaches lineup for the game was to include goalie Jake Cook, Joe Milroy, Pat Beresford, Randy Smart, Darryl Kinkade, Clayton Foster, David Barkley, Chris Fulcher, Bruce McGuire, Tim Johnson, Shawn Boudreau, Kevin Ryan, John Hale, Chris Taylor and more.

And, of course, Hat Trick, the RMMHA's new mascot, was in attendance, taking in his first Sens Alumni game. Unfortunately, Spartacat, the Sens mascot, could not be at the game.