Last year's Rider Pride Hockey Challenge event in Estevan was cancelled, but there was an extra item of baggage this time around that made the wait worthwhile.
Saskatchewan Roughriders fans got to relive the team's 101st Grey Cup victory on Sunday, as players brought the trophy along as part of the off-season tour.
Roughly 15 Riders players came to Estevan for the occasion, which sees members of the Green and White take on a team of locals in a hockey game.
Aside from the on-ice challenge, there were other reasons for local Rider faithful to brave the blizzard conditions to get to Affinity Place.
Fans got a chance to have their picture taken with Earl Grey's chalice, which was also on display during the game, and the Riders signed autographs for the endless line of people wearing green.
For those without a ticket to the game, the Grey Cup took up residence in the multi-purpose room at the leisure centre, alongside linebacker Rey Williams and receiver Taj Smith, who were signing autographs.
"When we're in Weyburn (on Saturday) or in Estevan, it's almost like you won the Grey Cup again today because of the excitement that it brings. When the fans get to see it for the first time, it's just like winning it all over again. It was a special moment in November and we've been able to relive it and relive it, and have a lot of fun doing it," said Riders offensive lineman Brendon LaBatte, who is from Weyburn and captained the squad on Sunday.
The hockey challenge has been around for awhile, but being able to bring the Canadian Football League's championship trophy this time adds a lot to the experience, LaBatte said.
"I think it makes a huge difference. Whether it was here or not, I'm sure the fans would still come out and support us. But to be able to bring that and give them the opportunity to see it and hold it and get their pictures with it, it's cool to see what the 60 guys did this year, how much of an effect it has on everybody in the province and how much they appreciate it. They really enjoy their opportunity to get to hoist it and have their time with it."
Defensive back Macho Harris, one of several Riders who had trouble staying on their skates, said it was important to give back to the team's supporters.
"I love it, especially interacting with the fans and community because that's a big part of our success. To go out here and mingle with them and get to know them so they can get to know us, that's a good thing."
Once the teams hit the ice, the Riders had some help from some local players, with Estevan Minor Football parents Michel Cyrenne, Pat Ford and Riley Meshke, alumnus Justyn Taillon and Penta Completions representative James Bakken joining the green side, along with Sask Canola player Teague Plamondon, who plays under the EMF banner.
The Estevan side took a 4-3 lead after the first of two 30-minute halves, with Jason Bresciani (2), Joel Pullman and Evan Handley scoring their goals. Bakken, Meshke and fullback Neal Hughes scored for the Riders, the latter riding his stick back to centre ice.
Riders kicker Chris Milo turned on the jets in the second half, powering the team to a comeback victory, including one goal where he celebrated by trying to swim back to the bench.
Another highlight in the second half came when Plamondon was given a penalty shot and decked out Estevan goalie Dave Sinclair.
There was also a fight early in the second half, with Riders offensive lineman Dan Clark trading blows with D.J. Brown of the RCMP.
"We just knew we were a little better and we just came out and attacked, that was the mindset after the first half," said Harris.
It was only his third time on skates, but that didn't stop him from enjoying the afternoon.
"It's definitely new to me. The very first time I put on skates, I tried it one time when I was six years old when I was living in New York. The next time I put them on was last year," he laughed. "It was a great experience today though."
LaBatte said his squad was in tough without the likes of Chris Getzlaf and Rob Bagg.
"We were pretty rusty. A lot of us hadn't been on skates at all this year. There were a lot of sore feet in the first half. Milo and Hughes really picked it up there in the second half for us and that was big. Those guys almost looked like they knew what they were doing out there for a second," he laughed.
"It was awesome to be able to come out here and be competitive. The last game we played, we got blown out, so it was nice to have somebody who's actually at our talent level and out there for the same reasons, just to have a little fun."
It was also a chance for some of the players who won the Riders' fourth Grey Cup to get together again, and with the amount of player movement in the CFL, those times are cherished.
"It's a ton of fun out there, getting to play and getting some of the rust off, and just getting to hang out with the group of guys that we were able to win that Grey Cup with," LaBatte said.
Minor football volunteer Wanda Harron said the event raised about $5,000 for EMF, though the final tally had not been determined.
