Good Game ...eh?

A squad of Canadian ex-NHLers were easily victorious over a team of battle-seasoned soldiers who took them on in a Kandahar ball-hockey game Thursday.
The NHL vets beat Team Task Force 7 to 1, while hundreds of fans cheered them on under a hot, Afghan sun.
The hockey legends are visiting Canadian troops in Kandahar -- accompanied by hockey's top trophy, the Stanley Cup -- in a morale-building exercise.
Later Thursday, they will gather for a barbeque and a concert by Newfoundland singer-songwriter Terry Kelly. Proving that it is indeed a special occasion, the troops will even be treated to a couple of beers -- normally off limits for soldiers.
Hockey legends Bob Probert, Mark Napier and Yvon Lambert were among those who handed the soldiers their crushing defeat -- mixing in some rough-housing and bending the rules in a way that would never fly in the NHL.
Legendary enforcer Dave (Tiger) Williams mixed it up with Cpl. Mike Loder, 24, of the 2nd Newfoundland Regiment in a good-natured hockey fight, complete with Williams 'jerseying' Loder.
Williams said the scrap was blown way out of proportion.
"Typical media crap," he joked with TSN's Brian Williams on CTV's Canada AM.
"He had a big camel spider on his cheek and I was trying to rub it off, and this young man didn't understand I was trying to help my fellow soldier and he kind of panicked a little bit."
Loder agreed it was all a big misunderstanding.
"He swiped it off once it jumped onto his shoulder, so I was trying to swipe it off, and that's how everything broke out."
He suggested he's done combat with tougher adversaries
"He's a bit softer than he was back in his day. That's for sure," he joked, almost prompting another brawl to break out.
And midway through the third period the heat took its toll on goaltender Ron Tugnutt, who had a Tim Hortons' iced cappuccino delivered to him between the pipes.
Among the spectators at the game were members of Hotel Company from the Royal Canadian Regiment -- the same group that lost six soldiers in a roadside bombing last month.
Maj. Alex Ruff, commander of the company, told Canada AM his soldiers came directly from the battlefield to take part in the celebrations.
"It's a great thing. I pulled my company in last night from operations so the guys had this opportunity to see the Cup, see the players and just relax -- even if it is for a short period before we're back out there doing what we've got to do."
Ruff, from Tara, Ont., said the support from home, and among the troops, has been the key to helping soldiers get through the challenge of losing so many comrades.
Ball hockey is a major source of entertainment and exercise for the troops in Kandahar. The sport is so popular that a league has been formed with 15 teams and 300 players who play twice a week. more

Hillier Brings Stanley Cup and Former NHL'ers to Afghanistan

What a Great Morale Boost! A Big HUA for Hillier and the NHL!
Wednesday, May 2, 2007

He's everywhere. Last week in Petawawa at a homecoming for Roto 2- today Afghanistan.
Canada's chief of defence staff, Gen. Rick Hillier, arrived in Afghanistan Wednesday with former NHL players and the Stanley Cup.

Hiller arrived at the main Kandahar base with the former pros, who included Bob Probert, Dave (Tiger) Williams, Ron Tugnutt, Rejean Houle and Yvon Lambert.
Former NHL tough guys Williams, Probert and Maguire played in some hostile venues over the years, but none like this.

The three ex-NHLers are part of a entourage that arrived today for a week-long tour of Afghanistan, a trip that is scheduled to feature a ball-hockey game versus the troops.

"We're supposed to play the winners of their tournament," Maguire said. "Mostly, we're going to help lift the spirits of the soldiers.
"I was in the military myself for three years, so I jumped at the opportunity to go over there and say thank you to the troops."

The group of 32 also includes NHL alumni Mark Napier, Stew Gavin, Ron Tugnutt, Lou Franceschetti, Ric Seiling and Dan Daoust; Tom Anselmi, executive vice-president of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment; a representative of the Vancouver Canucks ownership group; and veteran broadcaster Brian Williams, now with TSN.

The endeavour has the blessing of the NHL.
"We thought it would be a great way to show our appreciation for all they do for us every day to protect our freedoms and safeguard our way of life," NHL vice president Bill Daly said via e-mail, referring to the troops.

"It is these people who really are the real-life heroes."
Maguire said the idea for the trip came up in the regular season when the Maple Leafs honoured a number of military members before a game at the Air Canada Centre.
Along with showing off the Stanley Cup, the group plans to play some hockey with some of the more than 2,000 Canadian soldiers stationed at the base.

Last month, the owner of the Ottawa Senators visited the base, donating $50,000 worth of hockey gear. Eugene Melnyk brought hockey sticks, pads and jerseys for the soldiers.
Playing and watching ball hockey is an important ritual for the Canadian troops in Afghanistan, with the teams playing for the Kandahar Cup, a pint-sized version of Lord Stanley's coveted trophy.
Playoffs are to begin this month, when temperatures in Kandahar climb well into the 40s