Pubdate: Mon, 19 Nov 2001 Source: Daily Press, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2001 Daily Press (CN ON) Contact: http://www.timminspress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1001 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.) FLYING FATHERS A BIG HIT AT THE MAC The OPP got creamed by the Flying Fathers Saturday night. Literally. The world renowned Flying Fathers hockey club used every means necessary, including pulverizing their opposition with whipped cream pies, to pull out a 22-6 victory over the Ontario Provincial Police Association Choir Boys at the McIntyre Arena before a crowd of more than 1,300 people. It was the first time in more than 10 years the Flying Fathers played in Timmins. Several players on both teams were hit with the pies and even the referee and linesmen were left white faced and sticky following bad calls. Even the OPP coach was concerned about the cream pies. "Even if you're on the bench, you have to watch out for cream pies and the water," said Gus Mortson, a Toronto Maple Leafs alumni member and four time Stanley Cup winner. The game, one in a series of 10 in 11 days, was a fundraiser for the District of Cochrane Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Board, Northeast Region D.A.R.E. program and the Timmins Minor Hockey Association. In a pregame ceremony, the TMHA received a cheque for $5,000. The amount raised for the D.A.R.E. programs has not yet been released. However, tour organizer and OPP regional Drug Abuse Resistance Education co-ordinator Paul Harrison said every group will profit from the game. Harrison said the money will be put to good use. Every Grade 6 student across the region takes part in the D.A.R.E. program. There is no cost for the students to take part in the program but expenditures mount as all the costs of materials, teaching aids and the officers' time are the responsibility of the law enforcement agencies. Schumacher's own Father Les Costello was pleased, along with the Flying Fathers, to be able to provide such low cost family entertainment and donate the proceeds to the local D.A.R.E. programs. Costello led the way for the Flying Fathers. But the former Leafs Stanley Cup winner said the score wasn't important. Of greater significance was providing laughs for the crowd. "With all the stress and tension in the world, it gives us a chance to laugh and help everyone relax and have a good time," Costello said. Flying Fathers goaltender Fr. Vaughan Quinn agreed. "I have to train incredibly hard to keep up," Quinn said. "But it makes it all worthwhile when I see kids killing themselves laughing. To see their parents splitting themselves laughing is a thrill. The reason I keep playing at my age is looking up at the crowd and seeing them all enjoying themselves." Harrison, more than any of the other players, knows the importance of the D.A.R.E. program. "We're raising awareness (about the D.A.R.E. program) and raising spirits," Harrison said. "We get to see the kids smiling every night. Every night its a new audience. This tour has been a wonderful experience all around. We need the help of the community." Harrison, a former Toronto Maple Leafs goalie, played on the Flying Fathers' team after being cut from the OPP team. Leading into the tour, some of the other OPP officers were joking Harrison wasn't good enough to play for either team. "We've been ribbing him pretty good," said Det. Marc Duval, of the South Porcupine detachment. But Duval said in hindsight, it wasn't the best idea. "He's has been running us all game," Duval said. The game was a thrill for Duval. "I saw the Flying Fathers play when I was a kid," Duval said. "I never thought I'd ever be playing against them." OPP Const. Gerry Doucette said the game allowed he and his teammates to show they can get out and have fun too. "The game gave us a chance to show the public we have a lighter side," Doucette said. "It's all for fun." Over the years, the Flying Fathers have raised more than $4 million for charities around the world through their hockey games. The tour continued Sunday in Hearst. Tonight the teams square off in Cochrane and will play in North Bay and Blind River before wrapping up in Sundridge Thursday.