The photo above and story below were published in the Peak in December of 1999, recapping a pair of games between a semi-professional hockey team from Russia and the Powell River Regals, who had won a Canadian championship two years earlier.
Powell River Regals' starting goalie Scott Peters stood on his head for most of the first game of a double-header in mid December against Russian opponents and was named star of the game.
"It's probably what every player dreams of, and I had a chance to do it at home, in front of the home crowd,” said Peters of the contest against Dynamo Energia of Ekaterinburg. “It's definitely one to remember.”
Early in the first period, a Russian skater broke free for a breakaway on Peters, and beat him after 15 seconds. "Oohs" and "ahs" could be heard in the crowd, both out of admiration and fear of the Russians.
Minutes later, they scored again, and followed with another a minute later. With the score 3-0, the Regals finally adapted to the Russians.
"It was pretty intimidating at the start, but once we were down by three, there was really nothing to lose," said Peters.
The next goal came from Regals' defenceman Jim Smith, assisted by Derek Prue and Trent Kaese. Jeff Stekman answered with another to put the Regals within one. Dynamo once again claimed a two-goal lead but, at the end of the period, Scott Mastrodonato scored to make it 4-3.
In the middle of the second period, Jeff Barszczewski tied the score for the first time. Another goal from each team tied the score at the end of the period as well, with the Regals marker coming from veteran Tod English.
Dynamo had a one goal lead again early in the third, and that's the way the score stood as the clock began to run out. With just 11 seconds left, Smith scored again, tying the game and eliciting a roar from the crowd that Powell River hasn't heard in years. The final score was 6-6.
Throughout the first game, the Regals were feeling out the Russian's playing style.
“They’re a lot quicker, and they're a lot more patient with the puck," said Peters. “They always have an open mind for the open guy. You know they're going to make that extra pass.”
Once the boys in white had a chance to get used to the speed and finesse of the visiting players, they knew they had to play solid, Canadian hockey.
“Our game plan was to run them through the wall,” said Peters.
The next night, the fitness level of the Russians took over. Although the Regals kept the score tied through two periods, the youthful Dynamo scored four times in the third period for a 6-2 win.
Regals goals came from Stekman, assisted by Rick McLaren and Smith, and Prue, from English and Joe Barzczewski. Stekman, a former Powell River King and recent addition to the Regals, was chosen as player of the game.
Although it’s out of character for Russians to fight, it is equally rare to see Regals’ scorers like John Harris and Aaron Lloyd get into a tilt. Both players, and McLaren, were engaged in tussels in the series.
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