The Outdoor Classic festivities got off to a fun start in Hershey on Friday night. Some of the best to ever wear the Bears’ Chocolate and White took to the ice, facing off against the alumni of their former affiliate, the Philadelphia Flyers organization.

Alumni games always produce a number of memorable moments. This one, aided by the Flyers’ reunited “Legion of Doom” line and the addition of Hall of Famer Ray Bourque, was no different. Here are a few of the best moments of the night at the Outdoor Classic alumni game.

Player Introductions

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In front of a mostly-full Hersheypark Stadium, both teams made their entrance. While each player got a nice ovation, the most thuderous were reserved for Flyers Kimmo Timonen and Eric Lindros, Hershey’s Mitch Lamoureux, and Bourque, an honorary Bear for the day.

“Legion of Doom” Reunion

The Flyers’ “Legion of Doom” line, of Lindros, John LeClair, and Mikael Renberg, famous for their late-’90s dominance, started the game together… and promptly gave up a goal. Regardless, the reunion of such a legendary line was exhilarating. The trio logged significant minutes together, showing flashes of the lethal cycle and unbreakable chemistry they developed in Philadelphia.

Little’s Athletic Save

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In the first 30-minute, running clock half of play, Hershey’s Graham Mink found himself on a breakaway. Instead of just laying back and trying to save the shot, Flyers goalie Neil Little flew out of his crease and poke-checked the puck away from Mink. Aside from this highlight, Little would not have a great half, giving up six goals.

Sauve’s Sweet Glove Save

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On the other side of the ice, Bears goalie Phil Sauve was making great saves himself. As Lindros flew down the left wing on a 2 on 1, he let go of a shot that would have been a tough save in an NHL game, not to mention an alumni game. Sauve threw up his glove and somehow caught the puck. Sauve would give up four goals in his 30 minutes of work.

Sweater Switch at the Half

Fans got to see both the home and away versions of each alumni team’s uniforms. At the intermission halfway into the game, the Bears changed from white into the Chocolate jerseys, while the Flyers switched from orange to white.

Cote and Bonvie Score and Scuffle

Two former enforcers, each with only one NHL goal to their names, made their mark on the game, both with their sticks and their fists. In the second half, the Flyers’ Riley Cote scored to make it 6-5 Hershey. Dennis Bonvie, a Bears alumnus who holds the record for most professional penalty minutes, scored later with a snipe over the goalie’s shoulder to make it 9-5 Bears. However, they eventually showed what they were known for throughout their careers, dropping the gloves for a playful scrap with a few minutes to go.

Jim Watson Takes a Trip

In alumni games, players make sure to play as clean as possible. Referees generally return the favor, neglecting to call offsides or certain penalties. In a game with as many moving parts as hockey, though, it’s not always possible to avoid all breaking of the rules. With about five minutes to go in the game, Flyers alum Jim Watson, who retired in 1976, took a tripping penalty, catching a Bear with his stick. Then, nobody really knew what to do. Watson went to the box to serve his penalty, but the official let him out early — just as Vinny Prospal scored for the Bears.

Ray Bourque in a Bears Jersey

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The NHL legend looked right at home in a Bears sweater. Wearing the “C” for Hershey, Bourque started and played a solid game. In the last three minutes of the game, the defenseman almost found the twine, but was denied by Rob Zebb, who made an acrobatic stop.

Postgame Handshakes

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As is tradition for games like this, the two teams shook hands following the game. It’s always cool to see NHL legends like Lindros and Bourque greet each other, even in a somewhat non-competitive situation like this.

Before the teams left the ice, they took a picture together, showing the camaraderie that the best players in the game often share, especially after hanging up the skates professionally. The alumni game was entertaining, fun, and even memorable, and a great way to kick off the Outdoor Classic weekend.

Saturday night, the Hershey Bears take on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at Hersheypark Stadium. The puck drops in the annual AHL Outdoor Classic at 7 PM.

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