Aspen, CO - This season the Aspen Leaf's Stirling Cup All-Star Weekend featured the Colorado Avalanche alumni against the Boston Bruins alumni. The event is held as the annual benefit for the Aspen Junior Hockey scholarship fund, providing players of all ages opportunities to participate in the greatest sport in the world. In front of a sold out Lewis Arena crowd, Avalanche players that included Milan Hejduk, Stephane Yelle and Brian Willsie skated against former Bruins stars that included Al Iafrate, Bob Sweeney, Ken "the Rat" Linseman and others.

After an exciting start that settled into a fast paced game, late in the first period Avalanche goaltender Ryan Bach suffered a game ending groin injury after making a brilliant scrambling save.  Without a backup goaltender, Craig Strenkert of the Aspen Leafs 20U Junior team was asked to step in to keep the game going.  Unexpectedly, the Edmonds, WA native was quickly thrust into the NHL spotlight (sort of).  "This was a once in a lifetime experience that I was fortunate to get-- right place, right time" Strenkert explained with a grin.

It only took a couple minutes before Strenkert electrified the crowd, making his first of many saves in the game.  "He was really nervous, but I think he played great considering the talent he was playing against" said Aspen Leafs Head Coach Jay Miller.  "For a young kid, this is a dream come true; it was great he had this opportunity."

Strenkert did his job to keep the game close, however it wasn't enough as the Boston Bruins alumni skated to a 10-8 victory.  The night was more than the score however, and the true winners were the youth players and hockey fans watching the legends compete again in Aspen, CO.  For the full broadcast of the game: CLICK HERE