JUNO CUP RESULTS

[Long Jonny]

The Juno Cup was held last night... The musicians team lost 12-8 (is that really a surprise?)

Here's an article with a few quotes from Jero
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/LondonFreePress/Today/2004/04/03/406703.html

Stars score for music charity


EDMONTON -- Long-haired rockers and aging hockey greats found common ground on the ice yesterday at a celebrity match aimed at bringing new musical instruments to the hands of students across Canada. The fundraising game kicked off Juno weekend festivities, which were also to include Prime Minister Paul Martin at a more official ceremony at city hall later in the evening.

Montreal singer Sam Roberts faced off against former Calgary Flames player Joel Otto to start the hockey game.

"It's certainly a big fantasy for most musicians to get on the ice with an NHLer," said a grinning Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo, who played a large role in organizing the game, which ended up with the NHL winning 12-8.

"The experience definitely lives up to its reputation."

Even though the musicians lost the game -- as everyone had expected -- they all agreed it was a worthwhile event.

"Without school music programs, I'd probably be in jail or something," said left winger Tyler Stewart of the Barenaked Ladies, who signed autographs after the game for music students from a local school.

Coached by Ottawa folk singer Kathleen Edwards, the musicians included Jeremy Taggart of Our Lady Peace and Jon Gallant of Billy Talent. A rusty Taggart said the game was his third time on the ice in three years.

"I never played organized hockey growing up. I just played baseball," he said.

"We played pretty good," added Roberts. "I'm a little disappointed with the outcome. Their tactics were suspect at times, but that's to be expected."

There was plenty of goofing around throughout the match. At one point, the NHLers threw their hockey sticks in front of Roberts -- who coloured one of his front teeth black prior to the game to look tougher -- as he was trying for a penalty shot.

Immediately afterward, Roberts was asking for a rematch at next year's Junos in Winnipeg.

Captained by former Stanley Cup winner Lanny McDonald of the Flames, the NHLers scored early. With barely two minutes on the clock, Doug Hicks, who played three years with the Edmonton Oilers, scored.

Chad Kroeger of Nickelback coached the team of all-stars, which included Russ Courtnall, Jamie Macoun and Brad Dalgarno.

The event was attended by 1,200 fans, who only half-filled the arena, but it raised more than $200,000 for the music program, thanks to a donation from sponsor Mastercard.

Country singer Aaron Lines, who played junior hockey in his hometown of Fort McMurray, Alta., said he was thrilled to be part of a good cause.

He recalled having to cut grass at a golf course as a youth to buy his first guitar.

"I was lucky. It's not always easy to come up with the funds," said Lines, who's up for best country recording at tomorrow's Juno awards.

"I'm glad that a lot of this money is going to instruments and helping kids play music. It's not always the easiest thing to get an instrument. They're not cheap."