The town’s two public high schools will fan the flames of a friendly rivalry next week – all in the hopes of bringing in some big bucks for charity.
The Cochrane Classic hockey game has been pitting players from Cochrane High School against their peers at Bow Valley High School for the last 14 years. On Feb. 15, Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre will again stack up with as many as 400 students, who will cheer on girls and boys from both sides of town as they take to the ice.
“There’s a natural rivalry,” said Cochrane High student Kaitlin Palpzat, one of the organizers of the event. “Everyone comes out and has a great time – we mark them with face paint, get some team spirit going on.
“You want your school to win, but at the same time you’re hanging out with your friends from Bow Valley and getting to know people in the community.”
The charity hockey game is run mainly by leadership youth from Cochrane and Bow Valley High Schools and raises funds for the Cochrane Activettes. Last year’s afternoon brought in more than $1,100 for the busy charity group.
“I think they’re a great organization in our community,” Palpzat said. “They do a lot to help people in our neighbourhoods.”
Admission for the Cochrane Classic is $2 and the public is also invited to attend. Raffle tickets will be on sale for prizes, including a Sonicare Diamond Clean professional toothbrush worth $250 and a Mr. Mike’s gift card. The puck drops at 4 p.m.
“It’s pretty exciting,” said Palpzat. “It’s a great event.”
