If the guests of honour hadn't already been in Weyburn on Saturday, the Rider Pride Hockey Challenge stop in Estevan very likely would have been cancelled for the second straight year.
Just as it did in 2013, Mother Nature threatened to throw a wrench into the proceedings on Sunday as members of the beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders put on a show at Affinity Place.
But the Riders rolled into town Saturday night, just in time to avoid the oncoming blizzard conditions, and lots of fans showed up despite the high likelihood of being blown off their feet and into Manitoba the second they stepped outside.
As it turned out, there was a big, round silver lining in last year's event being cancelled, as the Grey Cup came along for the ride this time.
Fans lined up for what seemed like forever to get their pictures taken with the trophy and autographs from the players.
Just about everyone broke the rules, taking more than one item to be signed and standing behind the tables for pictures, but no one seemed to mind, least of all the players.
The hockey itself was probably about the same quality as a bad rec hockey game, but there were some highlights.
Chris Milo showed us he might have a career in hockey to fall back on if the whole kicking thing doesn't work out, although his celebrations could use some work.
Although they struggled on their skates, players like Macho Harris, Diamond Ferri and Paul Woldu clearly enjoyed it, and Harris had a laugh or two when his skating cost him a breakaway.
James Bakken proved to be a great choice as a sponsor rep, as he might have been the Riders' best player, and Michel Cyrenne shut the door for the Green and White in the second half when they needed it.
It was a neat little snapshot of the unique relationship between Rider players and their fans, and the kind of thing that probably only happens in Saskatchewan.
Seriously, a group of CFL players going on a barnstorming hockey tour in the dead of winter so they can meet some fans? Where else would you see that?
Contact Josh Lewis at 306-634-2654 or sports@estevanmercury.ca. Bell Let's Talk Day may have been yesterday, but let's not make that the only day we talk about mental health. One in five Canadians suffer from mental illness and many suffer in silence.
