THE CANADIAN MUSIC SCENE

JUNO AWARDS 2005 - THE 2005 JUNO CUP

Reported by The Canadian Music Scene's Winnipeg correspondent, Curt "C" Lother. The 2nd annual Juno Cup hockey game was played in Selkirk, Manitoba on April 1 as part of the festivities to celebrate the 2005 Junos. Former NHL stars took on a team of Canadian musicians to support music education programs (MusiCan) throughout Canada. The first period was highlighted by several outstanding saves by Alan Doyle of Great Big Sea. The NHL peppered the musicians' goalie but were stymied by Doyle's acrobatic saves. Finally, after 11 minutes of scoreless hockey, CBC broadcaster Ron MacLean popped in a goal for the NHL team. The lead was short lived however as Doyle's band mate Sean McCann evened the score for the musicians just before the first period ended. Wayne Babych scored a quick second period goal for the NHL just before NHL goalie (and Juno host AND Corner Gas star) Brent Butt absolutely ROBBED Jon Gallant (of Billy Talent) from point blank range in the slot. Toward the end of the second period, the NHL padded their lead with goals by soon-to-be Hall of Famer Doug Gilmour and already elected Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk. The second period ended 4-1 for the NHL. The musicians' coaching team (from rockers Thornley) must have pumped up the musicians' team in the intermission because after a quick goal by Wayne Babych (his second of the game) the musicians dominated play for the remainder of the period. Their pressure led to several penalty shots being taken (time was not served for penalties but a penalty shot given instead). NOW magazine founder Michael Hollett scored on a rebound off a penalty shot that was counted by the referees even though the evening's MC (Michael Landsberg of TSN) questioned the legality of rebounds on penalty shots. Tournament organizer Jim Cuddy (of Blue Rodeo) popped another penalty shot and the musicians were within two. After the evening's best sport (Sarah Harmer) missed on a penalty shot attempt, Jordy Douglas put the NHL ahead by three before Kevin Parent scored and a mystery goal appeared (after Thornley insisted that they were missing a goal) brought the musicians back to a scant 6-5 deficit. An all out brawl erupted as the musicians broke out on a final rush and the buzzer sounded before the musicians could tie the score. In a show of good sportsmanship, the Juno Cup was passed around by captains of both teams as they skated around the ice after the game. Both teams posed for photographs and then milled around the ice with photo and print media while signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans. A great time was had by all. The NHL stars like Scott Arniel and Ray Neufeld enjoyed the skate. Ron MacLean was extremely complimentary about the musicians' team. John-Angus MacDonald of the Trews told us it was his first official hockey game ever and that he would definitely do the whole thing over again. Next year's Juno organizers have a tough act to follow but if they can put together a group of NHL players and musicians that were so eager to have fun while pleasing the fans at the same time, they will ensure that the Juno Cup ticket is one of the highlights of the Juno festivities.