1st Annual Alumni vs. Varsity Game

With about twenty former hockey playing graduates now in the alumni ranks, the first annual alumni game and festivities took place at the Class of 1923 Rink at the University of Pennsylvania on Thanksgiving Eve. Representatives from the '03, '04 and '05 classes brought their skates, experience and old (smelly?) jerseys in a get together with this year's varsity squad.

The events started with an NHL style skills competition. Fastest skating, relay races and shooting contest got everyone involved and warmed up. Let's just say that the old guys took most of the bragging rights.

As time came for the actual game, the alumni kept looking for additional mates to show up. As this was the heavist travel day of the year, it looked like some were probably stuck on I-95. There would be no complaints about ice time from the veterans this day! They took the ice with 9 skaters and 2 goaltenders.

After scoring a quick opening goal, it appeared the alumni strategy was to out-skate the younger guys early and use their "superior conditioning" to offset being greatly outnumbered (Yes, the logic of all this also eludes me but who am I to question Prep grads). While taken aback by this tactic initially, the varsity soon figured out that fresh troops against tired legs would create some fine scoring chances. And score they did! Before the period was over, the Varsity had a commanding 3-1 lead. Meanwhile, over at the alumni bench, calls for oxygen and red bull were being heard.

Behind the bench for the alumni was none other than Dr. Stu Gordon, famous for his "take no prisoners charge!" It was looking bad for the old guys until Coach Gordon, in a highly unorthodox move, inserted goalie Matt Baiada at left wing with a face off deep in the varsity zone. Seeing this as his big chance, Matt took control of a loose puck, stickhandled through the defense while wearing full goalie equipment, and beat Justin Depermentier to the long side.

Suddenly, the alumni were sparked into a second wind (or was it third or fourth?). The game was on! The competition was fierce on both sides. Up and down action was relentless (a problem for the referees - Coach Swanick and Coach Austin - who seemed to fall farther and farther behind the play). The third period ended after a memorable alumni comeback and the score even at 5-5.

A four on four O.T. for three minutes and a three-on-three for another three minutes failed to produce a winner. Both teams showed great effort, pride and determined "no-quit" attitudes. In order to officially end the affair, a shoot-out was hastily arranged as the Zamboni was making it's way out of the chute. The varsity took the ensuing shoot-out although, it appeared that the alumni may have already turned their focus to the post-game activities.

All adjourned for pizza and hoagies in the Quaker room and for some well deserved refreshments. It was a memorable night for Prep hockey. Game two is next year.