West Fraser Centre’s inaugural hockey game between the West Fraser Centre Team and the Vancouver Canucks Alumni saw the Canucks beat Quesnel’s team Sunday night.
The teams were clearly having fun on the ice regardless of the score, and the crowd was vocal in its appreciation of the action.
Canucks Alumni members signed autographs for fans during the tailgate party on Sunday afternoon.
Mark Lofthouse, who played in the NHL for the Washington Capitals and the Detroit Redwings in the 70s and 80s, and Dave Babych, who played for the Vancouver Canucks from 1992 to 1998, both said this was their first visit to Quesnel.
“The new facility is fabulous,” said Lofthouse.
“It’ll be great to play a game in here with a big crowd – it should be a lot of fun.”
Babych said he was impressed with the crowd at the opening.
“What a community event! We’ve done a lot of these things and not all of them are set up quite like this, with the community so involved.
“And a lot of people remember us from when we played, which is really nice. We’re having a lot of fun here,” Babych commented.
When asked if they were looking forward to playing the West Fraser Centre Team, both joked that they were feeling a little intimidated.
“Thirty years ago I might have been looking forward to playing the Quesnel team, but I’m slowing down a bit!” Lofthouse said.
“They might be too good!” Babych agreed.
Quesnel’s Rod Tarry, who plays for the Quesnel Goldpanners, was chosen for the West Fraser Centre Team and said prior to the game he was looking forward to playing the Canucks Alumni.
“I’m looking forward to getting out and playing some hockey in the new arena, and meeting the Canucks – there are some big names.
“We have a pretty good team on paper, so it should be fun.
“But it’s not about winning, it’s about putting on a show for the fans.”
The teams certainly gave the audience what it came for.
At the end of the first period, the Canucks Alumni were up by a few goals, but Quesnel scored on the Canucks goalie at the beginning of the second period, starting a streak of goals for the local team.
It wasn’t enough to beat the pros, who went on to score five more goals over the second and third periods, but it made for an entertaining event at Quesnel’s new venue.
View the slideshow for all the photos from the game.