Charles Wyman watches his shot get stopped by Cold Cash Greenbacks goaltender Chris Pedersen during the Montreal Canadiens Alumni fundraiser in support of the Food First Foundation at the Multiplex on Sunday. Wyman won one of the two spots up for bids by the alumni to play with the team.
So the Montreal Canadiens Alumni did the business against the Cold Cash Greenbacks on Sunday at the Multiplex by a score of 8-4.
The big winner, though, was the Food First Foundation.
It was the first time the foundation had organized anything of this magnitude before and Tess Ondrack, the foundation's co-ordinator, said it was a lot of hard and fun work.
"It was bigger than the manpower we were able to muster but we managed it," she said. "We usually do smaller-scale events but hopefully this will be the first of many bigger events we'll hold."
Everyone who was advertised to show up for Les Habitants showed up and put on a show on the ice, proving that they could still get the job done even at an advanced age. The Canadiens scored early and often in the first period, building up a 6-0 lead and then coasting home to victory, although the Greenbacks did begin to pick things up in the third period.
"I heard from the Canadiens that they had a great time," said Ondrack. "Their team rep said everything was perfect and there was even a note from James Sargent, who was a guest assistant coach for the team, and he had a blast as well."
Sargent was able to be behind the bench after winning an auction that was held leading up to the game. There were two other auctions held to join the Canadiens and play with them and the lucky pair were Charles Wyman and Jen Walden.
Wyman, who ended up scoring four goals in the game, is a New York Rangers fan but he didn't care that it wasn't them.
"It could have been any team and I would have bid on it," he said. "There were some ex-Rangers out there to make it good, though."
Jesse Belanger cuts into the zone on a rush during the Montreal Canadiens Alumni fundraiser in support of the Food First Foundation at the Multiplex on Sunday.
Just being in the locker room with the players was good enough for him, he added.
"I could have not played and it would have been worth it," he said. "I sat next to Patrice Brisebois in the locker room and I'm convinced he's the nicest human being I've ever met. Not even a few seconds of being there and he's talking to me like I'm his best friend. I'll never forget it, chance of a lifetime for me."
For the record, Walden also scored a goal, which is what the Canadiens promise everyone who suits up to play with them as a guest.
Off the ice, the community support was evident as several businesses ponied up cash and in-kind donations, which included food and drink for everyone involved in the game. The Greenbacks themselves even came through with a cheque for $6,450 for the foundation, which brought the amount of corporate donations to more than $10,000.
"The players have some really good connections here in town and it was great for them to do that," said Ondrack. "They even donated their own money as players."
There was also a 50/50 draw, silent auctions and a puck drop sponsored by Canadian North, all of which raised another $1,500 or so, she added.
"It was a great day," she said. "It was a good way to talk about our charity."
The final amount wasn't available as of press time.