Lafleur's hockey comeback
Apr 4, 2005 14:50:24 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2005 14:50:24 GMT -5
www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/TorontoSun/News/2005/04/04/981905-sun.html
LOCKED-OUT NHL fans were treated to some old-time hockey yesterday as Guy Lafleur and a dozen other greats took on the Toronto Police in a charity matchup. The "Legends" outscored the "Lawstars" 8-6 in a game at the Ricoh Coliseum that had baby boomers waxing poetic about the days of yore.
Pierre Bisson, 57, remembered watching Lafleur win five Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens in the 1970s.
"His hands haven't changed one bit," Bisson said, describing Lafleur's stick-handling.
For Lafleur, now a restaurateur and champion of such causes as prostate cancer and diabetes, opportunities to play old-school games are special.
"This really brings me back to when the fans and players were closer," said the hockey hall of famer.
Fans went bananas over Lafleur's first-period goal. Even Doug Gilmour was caught grinning ear to ear.
'SPECIAL TO PLAY ALONGSIDE THEM'
"I grew up watching some of these guys," said the retired Habs veteran. "It's pretty special to play alongside them."
Ex-Habs star Kirk Muller was also nostalgic.
"You realize how much you miss the camaraderie and how we entertained the fans," he said. "But at the end of the day, it's for the charities."
The Toronto Police presented the Ontario Special Olympics with a cheque for $103,000 at centre ice. The money came from ticket sale proceeds.
The Legends shied away from discussing the NHL lockout, but said as fans of the game themselves, they understand fan frustration.
"It's tough for us (retired guys) as well," Muller said. "We all love this game."
LOCKED-OUT NHL fans were treated to some old-time hockey yesterday as Guy Lafleur and a dozen other greats took on the Toronto Police in a charity matchup. The "Legends" outscored the "Lawstars" 8-6 in a game at the Ricoh Coliseum that had baby boomers waxing poetic about the days of yore.
Pierre Bisson, 57, remembered watching Lafleur win five Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens in the 1970s.
"His hands haven't changed one bit," Bisson said, describing Lafleur's stick-handling.
For Lafleur, now a restaurateur and champion of such causes as prostate cancer and diabetes, opportunities to play old-school games are special.
"This really brings me back to when the fans and players were closer," said the hockey hall of famer.
Fans went bananas over Lafleur's first-period goal. Even Doug Gilmour was caught grinning ear to ear.
'SPECIAL TO PLAY ALONGSIDE THEM'
"I grew up watching some of these guys," said the retired Habs veteran. "It's pretty special to play alongside them."
Ex-Habs star Kirk Muller was also nostalgic.
"You realize how much you miss the camaraderie and how we entertained the fans," he said. "But at the end of the day, it's for the charities."
The Toronto Police presented the Ontario Special Olympics with a cheque for $103,000 at centre ice. The money came from ticket sale proceeds.
The Legends shied away from discussing the NHL lockout, but said as fans of the game themselves, they understand fan frustration.
"It's tough for us (retired guys) as well," Muller said. "We all love this game."