Team Switchblade was back in Parksville this weekend to take on a team of Vancouver Island all-stars during the Grumpy Old Men tournament this past Saturday at Oceanside Place.
Both teams put on a good showing for the fans in the stands, as it was the Vancouver Island All-Stars taking home the win by a score of 11-6 over Team Switchblade.
This was the second year Team Switchblade has put on a charity game at the Grumpy Old Men tournament, raising money for the Society of Organized Services Recreation Assistance Program, which goes towards helping children to get a chance to take part in various sports.
There were former NHLers on either team, including Wayne Van Dorp and Mark Lofthouse for Team Switchblade.
The Vancouver Island All-Stars, complete with Grumpy Old Men uniforms, saw a lineup that included Doug Bodger, Trent Kaese and goaltender David LeNeveu, who most recently suited up for the New York Rangers as the backup to Henrik Lundquivst in last year’s Stanley Cup Final.
“Gotta stay loose,” LeNeveu said stretching before the game with a chuckle.
“No matter the game, it’s always important to get that stretch in before you hit the ice. Don’t want anything to happen that might not usually happen in this kind of game.”
Oceanside Minor Hockey Timbit players were the star attractions in both the first and second intermissions as the youngsters took to the ice and had a game of their own.
“We wanted to make sure to include the kids,” organizer Bruce L’Hereux said. “It’s important, with an event like this, to make sure that we reach all age groups.”
“We wanted to bring the kids out so they could enjoy themselves and be a part of all of this,” L’Hereux said.