On Saturday Feb 19th, 2011 at the Master Card Centre, the Toronto HC faced off against Montreal for their last meeting of the regular season. Saturdays match up was not your regular CWHL game, the game was held as a fundraising event put on for the CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) and turned out to be a great success. There were over 500 people in attendance and many fun events for all those involved. In support of the CNIB, the players all wore sun glasses for the anthem, which was sung by an amazing visually impaired individual who blew everyone away with his beautiful voice.
Some of the other events throughout the game were silent auction, chuck a puck, 50/50 but the highlight of the night was getting to experience watching the Ice Owls, a Toronto based visually impaired hockey team who played in between the first and second period. The goalies are completely blind and they play with a larger “puck” that makes sound and cannot be lifted above 3 feet off the ice within the rules of the game. What motivating and talented individuals that show us that nothing should stand in your way of doing what you love.
Following the game we held a “Skate with the Champions” which was very well attended and a fun opportunity for the players to interact with fans of all ages, taking home pictures and autographs from all the players on both teams.
We would like to say a huge thank-you for all those involved helping make the event such a success, to the fans who came out to support the CWHL and the CNIB and also to the players on both teams for sharing your time helping instill dreams in so many young players.
Montreal ended up on the winning side, defeating Toronto 4-2 solidifying their hold on first place in the league. For more details on playoffs and the Clarkson Cup, visit www.cwhl.ca or find us on Twitter and Facebook. For more information on the CNIB or on how you can show your support go to www.cnib.ca
Written by Haleigh Callison
Photos provided by Brandon Taylor – Pro Am Images
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