Score aside, everyone came out a winner in last night's Cochrane Generals Charity Sledge Game. National women's team member Hailey King leaves Gen Marco Rossi in the dust after stealing the puck.

There were plenty of thrills, spills, and cheers during the 2nd Annual Cochrane Generals Sledge Hockey Charity Game, Jan. 24.

A boisterous crowd of 350 cheered loudly throughout the game, which was held to raise awareness and funds for the Calgary Sledge Hockey Association (CSHA).

Gens president Rick Richards praised the players for boldly striking out to overcome extraordinary circumstances when others may crumble.

"You have chosen to become extraordinary," said Richards when the players joined together in a "Circle of Unity" at centre ice. "Because of that, you are the biggest of heroes to the rest of us. You are all our heroes."

A "Circle of Unity" was formed at centre ice as part of the opening ceremony.

Sledge hockey, becoming better known as para ice hockey, is an adaptation of ice hockey for players who have a physical disability. 

Returning to Cochrane to provide further exposure to their sport is something the players and their association members thoroughly enjoyed.

"It was a great crowd," says long-time CSHA president Alane Halbert. "We just love the support and the alliance we have built with the Cochrane Generals. It's fun to have them come out, practice at our rink, and then show what they can do here today."

The sledger players took it easy on the Gens, something became transparent in the third when the teams swapped a few players and evened the field.

It was the second time around for Hailey King, a member of the national women's para-hockey team, who also participated in the ceremony of the Gens season opener.

"This is amazing stuff," she says. "The Gens are so pumped and so enthusiastic. When the guys get the puck on their stick and skate, their whole bench lets out a cheer. It's such a great atmosphere and I love how everybody shows up."

The national women's team is gearing up for its season and will soon head to St. Catherines, ON. for a rivalry series against the American team.

Speedster Straeden Running Rabbit, a member of the Calgary Scorpions, enjoyed how the teams were blended for the third period.

"It made it more diverse. Rather than just our team, who knew each other, and their team, who knew each other, we could interconnect more."

Kurt Rose, Alex Skiffington, Jeff McFly, and Hailey King.

Alex Skiffington had to watch from the sideline last year but made up for it this year. He wasn't shy about roughing it up with his teammates when he wore a Gens jersey in the third.

One of them, Kurt Rose got the only penalty of the game from one of those exchanges.

"I get them from time to time," he laughs. "I wouldn't say I get too many penalties, but it's usually when I'm hitting people."

Rose played last year and has yet to forget about the penalty shot that got away, nor have his teammates, who continue to tease him.

"It was one of my most embarrassing moments. I had a penalty shot, and I missed it, right there in the middle of the ice."

Jeff McFly is in his third season, says he's finding his form, and enjoyed the return visit.

"They're an awesome group. They're super open-minded and I love that they're having a good time out there. They don't shy away from the experience, which is fantastic. It really helps to grow our sport and helps us in other ways as well."

They also appreciated the large, supportive crowd. 

"We don't get that very often, so it's truly refreshing and much appreciated."

The Gens were left without a shot in the first period and only a few in the second. Even when they swapped a few players in the third and increased their shot count to 18, they were skunked 12-0 win.

Gen Diago Coelho says it wasn't any easier the second time around.

"I think it was easier last time because we focused more on the basics. This time, we tried to fancier, but it just didn't work." 

In the end, that didn't matter to him.

"It was a super good way to create awareness of how hard these types of sports are. It's not as easy as it looks on TV."

Gens goalie Isaias Maddigan saw plenty of action.

"I thought it was a little bit easier but for the most part, it's still pretty hard. It's a difficult sport and you gain a lot of respect by trying it. They've got a lot of talented players."

It was the first time for Gens rookie Brayden Palinka.

"It's one of those things where you have so much fun that in 20 years you'll be thinking back to when you played sledge hockey for the Gens. It will be such a great memory."