Dan Falloon
Not even short benches could wrangle the intensity of the first Fort High-International Falls alumni game held Boxing Day at the Ice For Kids Arena.
The Muskie alumni ended up taking the game 10-5.
Fort High coach Terry Ogden, who coached the Muskies for 18 seasons before stepping down in 1997, noted the Broncos only brought six players—five skaters and a goalie—across the border.
“They didn’t show up with a lot of guys, which was a little bit unfortunate,” he remarked.
“We got up a little bit and then we loaned them a few guys. We played a game,” Ogden added.
“They had a little miscommunication over there, and that was a little bit unfortunate.”
Ogden said both squads hope the event becomes an annual one, and that the Broncos could suit up a larger team with a little extra planning time.
“Their over-30 guys said that they’d like to do it next year, and they’d make sure they had a full squad,” he noted.
“They want to try to make it an annual thing, and hopefully it grows and it’s better next year.”
Some of the players surprised Ogden with their conditioning,
“Some of them are in pretty good shape still,” he said. “[There were] the Nelson boys. Kirk was dashing around like a young lad out there again.
“And some of the older guys, like Pat Cross. Pat’s over 40.
“Guys are still playing a little bit and they’re in pretty good shape,” Ogden said.
He also saw some of the old skills that were major cogs of the glory years of 1986 and 1989 when the Muskies captured all-Ontario gold.
“I think the passing [was a highlight]. They moved the puck pretty well,” noted Ogden.
“The Falls had five younger [under-30] guys. Even though they only had five and they were shorthanded, they controlled the puck around a little bit.
“But when we got the puck, we moved it around pretty good, and it was pretty fun to watch the old guys.
“Some of them have their old moves.”
Ogden also praised his defenders’ ability to crack down on the Falls’ younger players.
“As quick as some of the Falls’ guys were, we had four good defenders,” he lauded. “Our defence played very well. The two Nelsons and Rudy Anderson and Darwin Woods.
“And ‘Stubby’ [Jim] Armstrong played very well in net, too.”
What happened off the ice was almost as memorable as what took place on it as the ex-Muskies, many of whom were aged 35-40, revelled in the chance to tell some old battle stories.
“We had no problem getting guys. Our guys were clamouring at the bit,” enthused Ogden. “It was a good get-together.
“They all tell lies about how good they were when they were young,” he laughed. “They get better every year, these guys.”
Trevor Oltsher was the player who travelled the furthest distance to be at the game, making the trip here from Winnipeg.
