Bob Layton Editorial: World’s Longest Hockey Game

It’s billed as the World’s Longest Hockey Game. This time, more than 251 hours.

The players were like a small army doing their part to fight cancer.

Armed with sticks and determination, they fought the clock and the elements, stick handling the puck and mentally handling every difficulty put in their way.

They knew it would be cold, but now add a freezing wind chill blowing across Saiker’s Acres.

READ MORE: The evolution of the World’s Longest Hockey Game at Saiker’s Acres

Then, in the dark, the lights went out and the careful charge down the ice was lit by the charge of cellphones.

Then it rained and the ice got less slideable and the sore legs less hideable, adding to the blisters and the bruises and the cracked ribs and all the other injuries such a labour of love brings.

And they were not alone, backed by supporters and volunteers and donors of money and food and equipment and everything else they needed.

When the new unofficial record was set, the players hugged each other.

If arms were outstretched in their direction from everyone this event might help, we could be challenging another Guinness record:  The Largest Group Hug in the world.

Congratulations to all involved.

Watch below: Ongoing Global News coverage of the World’s Longest Hockey Game at Saiker’s Acres

3:05 World’s Longest Hockey Game sets unofficial record at 251 hours

• World’s Longest Hockey Game sets unofficial record at 251 hours
• Players at World’s Longest Hockey Game have new record in sight
• World’s Longest Hockey Game reaches final day
• Oilers head coach Todd McLellan visits World’s Longest Hockey Game
• Behind the scenes at the World’s Longest Hockey Game
• By the numbers: World’s Longest Hockey Game
• Meet the oldest player taking part in the World’s Longest Hockey Game
• Checking in with Kevin Karius on Day 6 of the World’s Longest Hockey Game
• World’s Longest Hockey Game sees players overcome physical and emotional challenges
• A look back at the history of the World’s Longest Hockey Game
• Blisters, aches, fatigue sets in for players at World’s Longest Hockey Game
• Oilers’ McDavid and Nurse visit World’s Longest Hockey Game on rainy day
• A look at the cancer program being supported by the World’s Longest Hockey Game

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Bob Layton is the news manager of the Corus Edmonton group of radio stations and a commentator for Global News.