RANKIN INLET
It was a glorious sight to see Toronto's captain holding the Cup high above his head - even if it was during a special old-timer's game in Rankin Inlet this past month.

Jason Todd, left, Noel Kaludjak and Darrin Nichol are all smiles after the Toronto oldtimers defeated the Montreal oldtimers to claim the 2014 Kevin Fredlund Memorial game in Rankin Inlet this past month. - photo courtesy of Levi Curley

Toronto defeated Montreal on Jackson Lindell's shootout winner to claim the second annual Kevin Fredlund Memorial old-timer's game held during the community's Christmas Games.

The game was renamed the Kevin Fredlund Memorial this past year, when the 44-year-old hockey fanatic succumbed to cancer in October of 2013.

Event co-organizer Jason Todd said it was great to see such a large crowd out for the game.

He said the fans being so vocal, and so many of them being dressed-up in team colours, provided a great atmosphere for the game.

"We told everyone weeks ahead we were giving $100 to the best-dressed Habs and Leafs fans, and people really responded," said Todd.

"This town is almost perfectly divided when it comes to Leafs and Habs fans, so we were hoping for a lot of people to dress up.

"And we weren't disappointed."

While the game remained, for the most part, all about having fun, there were a few tense moments when it looked like a fight might even take place between players.

Todd said there's a huge hockey rivalry in Rankin when it comes to the Habs and Leafs.

He said sometimes people can take that a little too far, and get a little too competitive for what the game's all about.

"This year we had some young guys come into the league who had just turned 35, and we also had a bunch of older guys return after not playing for a few years.

"To be honest about it, they pumped up the whole Leafs-Habs thing and it became competitive.

"That's not necessarily a bad thing, as long as it doesn't get carried away with fighting and stuff like that.

"It's been a game for fun and good jokes in the past, and it got competitive this year, but it turned out OK."

The game has become an event people in the community look forward to, and Todd said the old-timer organizers plan to do what they can to keep it a staple of the Christmas Games.

He said there's also more guys willing to pitch-in and help now than the league's had for awhile.

"We have four guys who help run the old-timer's to begin with.

"Then, this year, we had a bunch of younger guys come in like Pujjuut Kusugak and Jackson Lindell who are more than willing to help out.

"We also have the support of rec co-ordinator David Clark, who sees the game as having a lot of potential to grow as an event, while also being a good remembrance of Kevin and his family, and making the Christmas Games that much more fun.

"Rankin is a hockey-mad town from the youngest minor players all the way up to old-timers. We live, eat and breathe hockey in Rankin and it makes no difference if you're a young player or an old-timer."

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