Harvey the Hound gives two Alberta children’s hockey teams a day they’ll never forget

Players on two Alberta children's hockey teams were disappointed — to the point of tears — when Harvey the Hound, the Calgary Flames' mascot, didn't make an appearance at their charity hockey tournament and toy drive as promised due to a scheduling conflict.

"They kept asking why. Why isn't Harvey here?" Zamboni driver Kendra Kelly recalls the youngsters' reaction.

So Harvey made it up to them.

The Flames sent Harvey the Hound and Calgary Hitmen mascot Farley the Fox to surprise the Black Diamond Tiger Mites at their next game against neighbouring High River where he presented them invitations to a "Big League Experience."

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The next day, the mascots arrived at each team's home rink with shuttle buses that brought them to the Flames' home ice: the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary.

At the Scotiabank Saddledome, personalized Flames jerseys were waiting for the teams in the locker room. Flames captain Mark Giordano and rookie superstar Sean Monahan offered pep talks before the big game.

The youngsters then played a hockey game on NHL ice, complete with a PA announcer, full scoreboard and the national anthem. Coach Bob Hartley and assistant coach Martin Gelinas talked "strategy" on the benches.

The game they'll never forget ended in an 11-11 tie.