CALGARY - Drinks turned to slushies, and toes went numb, but fans who braved the cold to watch their favourites in the Heritage Classic Alumni Game Saturday said it was all worth it.
Friends Jeff Taylor, a Flames fan, and Jeff Watts, a Habs fan, made the trek from northern Saskatchewan for the Classic weekend.
“These guys, we grew up as teenagers watching when they (went to) the cup in 1989,” Watts said.
Habs fan Edward Allen, from Lethbridge, said it was a different experience being at the football stadium in the winter.
“I am used to coming up to watch the B.C. Lions play the Stampeders,” he said.
“Normally it’s summer time and you want to drink your beer quickly — today that was not a concern.”
“It’s classic, and who knows when it will come again,” he said.
“In true pond hockey form ... between halves, the players brought shovels out and cleared the ice.”
Wearing a toque, snowsuit and warm shoes, Flames fans Brent Bromhead said the weather was no bother and he is fired up to catch the Heritage Classic action live from McMahon Stadium seats again Sunday with son Geoff Bromhead.
“It was good to see players we haven’t seen in awhile back in a Flames uniform,” Brent said.
“We are pretty excited; it is going to be a little warmer tomorrow.”
