A former Calgary Flame, who didn’t actually see the puck go in the net when he scored one of the most famous goals in franchise history, will never forget what he saw when he went to visit Canadian troops in Afghanistan.
“The first year I was there (2009), there were three Canadian soldiers who were killed,” said Perry Berezan, who received credit for the famous Steve Smith own goal in 1986. “You go to a Ramp ceremony (a funeral at a military base) and it is impossible not to be affected by what you see there. You go to visit soldiers in the hospital shortly after they have been in an explosion or have been hit, you see they’re suffering but you see their commitment to what they are trying to accomplish.”
Berezan will be one of six NHL alumni who will suit up and play against Foothills residents in the Spider Hockey Game at the Pason Centennial Arena in Okotoks Sept. 29 at 3:30 p.m.
A banquet will follow the game at the Foothills Centennial Centre starting at approximately 6:30 p.m. The proceeds will go towards Soldier On, an organization which enhances the lives of injured soldiers through sport. Berezan said he has seen the positive impact of sport on the veterans.
He, along with NHL alumni such as Jamie Macoun, Lanny McDonald and others, have gone to Kandahar to support the troops.
“When we played ball hockey at the outdoor arena in Kandahar air base they loved it,” Berezan said. “It’s a reminder of what their life was like way back when. (For them) to get a taste of hockey when they are on the other side of the world in a war zone is just fantastic.”
The conditions at Kandahar weren’t exactly at the level of the Saddledome.
“It was in the spring so it wasn’t too bad, maybe in the 30s (Celsius) it didn’t reach the 40s,” said Berezan, who also went to Afghanistan in 2010 and 2011.
Berezan knows a bit about the heat of the much lesser NHL battle.
He was awarded the winning goal when the Calgary Flames beat the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 in Game 7 of the Smythe Division final in 1986 — despite being on the bench at the time.
Berezan said the Flames head coach, the late “Badger” Bob Johnson and the organization had them ready
for the series.
“The whole focus of the organization that year was ‘we’re good, real good but we aren’t as good as the Oilers” Berezan said. “Everything evolved around us beating Edmonton. At the beginning of that playoff series, Badger told us: ‘We know how to stop Gretzky and here’s how.’”
The Flames held a 3-2 lead in the series, but when Edmonton won Game 6, Calgary seemed to be history going into the final game in the provincial capital.
However, with approximately 14 minutes left in the game and the game tied at 2-2, Berezan dumped the puck in the Oilers’ zone and went to the bench.
“My back was behind the action because I was looking for a place to sit,” Berezan said. “I didn’t see it go in. I had no idea what happened. There was a real hush. I asked Lanny what happened and he said: ‘I think Steve Smith banked it in off of Grant Fuhr’s leg.’”
The goal and victory over the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions set off a wild celebration in Cowtown. Berezan said he was stunned when the Flames arrived at the Calgary airport and a mob of people waiting to greet them.
“My first thought was Bill Murray in Stripes when he steps of the plane and says: ‘What? A surprise party for me?’” Berezan said with a laugh. “I remember driving home and there were three or four cars following me, honking the whole way.”
He said some of the younger fans today don’t know about the goal, but the guys and gals in their 40s and 50s remember.
“Sooner or later, it will come up at a golf tournament,” Berezan said. “Someone will point to me and say: ‘You know what his trivia question is…’”
The other former NHL players in the Spider Hockey Game include former Flames Dana Murzyn and Dwayne Hay, former King Dean Kennedy, Detroit Red Wing alum Dennis Polonich, ex-Jet Craig Levie and former Canuck now Okotoks resident Rob Tudor.
Flames Sportsnet colourman and ex-LA King/Boston Bruin Charlie Simmer will be one of the coaches.
Foothills residents have a chance to play with the former NHLers for $500.
The banquet will feature a live auction and silent auction. Several veteran soldiers will also be in attendance.
Seventy-five per cent of the proceeds will go towards Soldier On, with the remaining 25 per cent going to the Military Family Resource Centre to help families with loved ones serving Canada overseas.
For ticket information call Rob Tudor at 403-969-9732 or Sharon Van Olm 567-777-9152.
