World’s Longest Hockey Game raises more than $1.8M
Just west of Tofield at Saiker’s Acres, the world’s longest hockey game had it’s last day on Monday, Feb. 15; hosted for 11 days straight from Feb. 4, it brought together people for a cause – to cure cancer.
Founder Brent Saik started this event in 2003, and it continues to this day in the memory of his father, Terry Saik, who he lost to cancer.
“Our conditions were fine, this was a piece of cake. Our prayers are for the people fighting cancer, whose conditions are a lot worse than this. That is why we do this,” he said.
This year the event was hosted very differently, according to organizer Kate Gallagher of KMG Events.
“No on-site spectators were allowed, so all the cheering was done from the sidelines in their vehicles; we had ‘fake’ spectators in the stands so the players felt there was always someone cheering; and families were not able to visit the players as they lived strictly in the bubble, going from their trailer to the ice every day,” she explained. “With these protocols in place it was amazing to see a creative increase in engagement from spectators and families with them bringing encouraging signs that I’d hang along the fence for players to see. . . . contd.
