On Friday, 40 brave players took to the ice again for 10 days straight to support the fight against cancer.
The World’s Longest Hockey Game (WLHG) takes place at Saiker’s Acres on an outdoor NHL-sized rink, east of Edmonton. The opening ceremony was Friday morning.
The game raises funds for the Alberta Cancer Foundation to support Terry Fox Research Institute’s PROFYLE, that focuses on gene sequencing and pediatric cancer. Since 2003, the event has raised more than $3.4 million for the cause.
A week into the game, an anonymous donor came forward to say they were “so moved by the inspiring story,” they wanted to match all individual donations to the game. Now, each individual dollar donated will count twice.
Three days into the World’s Longest Hockey Game east of Edmonton, the players are keeping their eyes on the prize. Not only are they aiming for a Guinness World Record, they’re also raising money for a cancer program. On Feb. 12, 2018, Su-Ling Goh filed this report explaining what the program is all about.
IN PHOTOS: World’s Longest Hockey Game at Saiker’s Acres
This year, Brent Saik, 40 brave players and 800 volunteers will be going for their sixth Guinness World Record, having broken the record in each of their five previous games.
On Thursday, an urgent plea for additional referees and linesmen was put out after Guinness officials told the WLHG it needed double the number of officials than it thought.
One of the organizers later tweeted they had received an overwhelming response, and they were working to reply to everyone who offered to help out.
READ MORE: World’s Longest Hockey Game in urgent need of more referees
The game runs from Feb. 9 to Feb. 19. Players sleep in four-hour shifts as they aim to complete 251 hours of non-stop hockey.
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By the numbers: World’s Longest Hockey Game -
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Checking in with Kevin Karius on Day 6 of the World’s Longest Hockey Game -
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World’s Longest Hockey Game sees players overcome physical and emotional challenges -
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Guinness World Records sets new criteria for World’s Longest Hockey Game east of Edmonton -
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Cold start to the World’s Longest Hockey Game east of Edmonton -
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Live weather from the World’s Longest Hockey Game at Saiker’s Acres -
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2018 World’s Longest Hockey Game at Saiker’s Acres underway -
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Founder Brent Saik on importance of World’s Longest Hockey Game -
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Checking in with Kevin Karius before World’s Longest Hockey Game at Saiker’s Acres -
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World’s Longest Hockey Game runs into problem hours before puck drops -
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The World’s Longest Hockey Game: Feb 9 – 16 -
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Our YEG At Night: Preview of the World’s Longest Hockey Game
This year’s event is expected to see 25,000 guests, 500 cups of coffee (per day!), 100 broken sticks and some fairly substantial player injuries.
READ MORE: Edmonton-area hockey players prepare to reclaim title for world’s longest game
Watch below: The Oilers’ Connor McDavid and Darnell Nurse visit the World’s Longest Hockey Game on a rainy Tuesday.
For the start of the 2008 game, temperatures hovered around the -35 C mark. This year, the high for Friday is forecast to be about -11 C with slightly warmer conditions (-5 C) on Saturday.
WATCH: Aerial drone video shot by Jordan Miller of the World’s Longest Hockey Game rink east of Edmonton as the sun sets on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018.
To donate to the team or to a specific player (like Global’s own Kevin Karius!) click here.
The game is held in Sherwood Park, just off Wye Road. Here are directions in case you’d like to go cheer on the players in person.
GALLERY: Photos of players getting ready and the beginning the World’s Longest Hockey Game on the morning of Friday, Feb. 9, 2018.
Graphic credit: Tonia Gloweski, Global News
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