Remembering Ryder and Radek

One of the many reasons why the Ryder & Radek Memorial Game is such a beautiful sight to see is the vibrant green and blue paint that is splashed across the ice surface in the form of well wishes and love for the two boys taken far too soon.

 This year’s game took place on Saturday, December 15 at the Scott Safety Centre as the Whitecourt Wolverines took on the Spruce Grove Saints. The second annual event began with a warm-up as the two teams took to the love-filled rink. As they practiced, their skates and sticks glided past sayings like: we miss you so much, gone but not forgotten, we will always remember,hope you’re lighting up heaven’s rink, and I can’t wait for the day when I can hold you again.

Following the warm-up the lights were turned off as a video played showing the many places that friends and loved ones have placed R&R stickers in memory of the boys. “I truly believe they are only gone in person.Each one of you that takes a piece of them around the world, takes a second tosay a prayer above, and just thinks of them when you post their sticker is what keeps them here with us and for that I am truly thankful,” spoke their mom,Tracy Stark, as the video played.

Through their own grief, the parents chose to share the moment with another family that had just lost someone far too soon. “I would like to send condolences to the Gregory family on behalf of myself, Tracy, and the Wolverines family. We were saddened to hear of Curtis’s passing. It’s going to be hard not seeing him standing up there (in the audience) where he’s been for 10 plus years watching Junior hockey, Wolverines hockey, Bantam hockey, and Midget hockey. He will truly be missed as a friend and person in our community,” said Brent Stark. An image of Curtis Gregory then filled the screen. He tragically passed away on December 5 after slipping on ice and hitting his head.

In the darkness, small shimmering lights could be seen twinkling throughout the audience as fans held small lights for the candlelight vigil.Once the arena lights came back on everyone settled in for an evening of great hockey and comradery as the memory of two handsome young boys and their beautiful smiles remained in their hearts and minds.

The first period was quick with no penalties or goals to speak of. During the first intermission Amanda Wilson performed her interpretive skate in honour of Ryder and Radek. Both teams lit it up in the second as the Wolverines struck first, scoring just over a minute in on the powerplay. Eight minutes later they tallied in another taking the lead 2-0. In the following three minutes, the Saints jumped back and quickly tied things up2-2. With 13 seconds left in the period, the Wolverines pushed forward and managed to snag one more making it 3-2 after two.

It didn’t stop there for the home team as Brayden Labant found the back of the Saints net seven minutes into the third to increase the lead 4-2. The Saints bounced back to get within one after a short-handed marker halfway through the final period. Things intensified in the final minute as Spruce Grove pulled its goalie in an attempt to tie things up, but Wolverine Mackenzie Harden squashed those hopes by snapping one past the Saints net minder for a final score of 5-3 for the home team. Sticks up, Ryder and Radek. Always and forever.