Boyleís Millview Recreation Complex was the site of a Critter infestation last Thursday.
The 790 CFCW Critters hockey team was in Boyle for a game against local oldtimers on Feb. 28. The game served as a fundraiser for the Boyle Senior Centre Building Fund.
The Critters team is comprised primarily of people who work at the radio station. Each year they travel the province playing fun games for the benefit of local charities.
CFCW senior account manager Marty Stevens served as an emcee for the game, and was impressed with the turnout and the enthusiasm of the community.
ìItís probably the second biggest crowd weíve had all year,î he said of the gathering, which organizers estimated was 360 people strong.
The Critters perpetrated a number of pranks and antics throughout the game, keeping themselves, their opponents and the assembled hockey fans laughing throughout the evening. One of the main troublemakers was the Critter himself, who spent the game needling the Boyle oldtimers, from squirting goaltender Cody Lazowski with his own water bottle to dropping the gloves with Kevin Foye.
ìWe try to keep it lighthearted,î Stevens noted. ìI like to say weíre like the Harlem Globetrotters, only less talented.î
Since they started playing games in 1993, the Critters have helped raise almost $600,000 for various causes. They added to that amount last week, as Claudette Dornan of the Seniors Centre said the game raised just under $6,000 via ticket sales, 50/50 tickets and a silent auction.
Whatís more, the Critters play the game for free, so all the money raised stays in the area.
All in all, the event exceeded the expectations of the organizers.
ìWe were very pleased with the turnout. It was a lot of fun; everybody enjoyed it, and there were lots of good laughs,î she said.
