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Annual Niedermayer charity game a hit

Team Scott edges Team Rob in back-and-forth affair at Western Financial Place Arena.
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Jason Jaffray (left) jukes past Rob Niedermayer (right) during Thursday night's charity game at Western Financial Place Arena.

Taylor Rocca

The annual Niedermayer Hockey School Staff Charity Game was a back-and-forth affair Thursday night at Western Financial Place Arena with Team Scott out-gunning Team Rob by a final tally of 5-4.

“Being on the ice with these kids that are so excited about the game…things like that mean a lot,” Scott said. “We’re proud to be from Cranbrook and it’s nice to be able to come back and a part of what’s going on here.”

Though one team came out on the losing end, the evening was for a good cause as donations collected at the door were donated to the Niedermayer Family Fund.

“It was a close game but we weren’t really chirping each other much, it was more fun stuff out there,” said Edge Hockey owner Peder Lodoen, who suited up with Team Scott. “I hope the kids see that whether you’re winning or losing, the game is still fun and I think we showed them that tonight.

“That’s what the Niedermayer Hockey School is all about — showing these kids how to play the game, but also how to have fun playing it.”

Adorned in black sweaters, Team Rob opened the scoring in the first frame, taking the lead early on before Team Scott knotted things prior to intermission.

As the final half of play got underway, it was clear Team Scott had the decisive edge as the red sweaters claimed a 2-1 lead less than three minutes into the period.

It was all Team Scott from there as the older Niedermayer brother led his side to a 4-2 advantage with the assistance of former Kootenay Ice star Jason Jaffray.

The 33-year-old Jaffray said he loves returning to Cranbrook to help with the annual hockey school. The fact he has been coaching at the school for more than a decade is a testament to that.

“It feels good to shut down Rob Niedermayer,” Jaffray said laughing. “This is probably the first staff game he didn’t scored a goal.

“I was told that I was just supposed to shadow him out there and make sure he didn’t score and it worked.”

Team Rob didn’t go away quietly making one final push towards the end of the night, but unfortunately for the younger Niedermayer, his big brother once again got the best of him.

“That’s always important for sure,” Scott said with a laugh. “It was a good game. Most of those games are 15-13 or something, but the goalies played well. They were definitely the first two stars.”

Proceeds from the game go towards the Niedermayer Family Fund, which assists numerous charities in the Cranbrook area on an annual basis. The fundraising total from the evening was not available by press time.