The varsity game was played at noon at Glen Long Arena, 35 Glen Long Ave., in the Dufferin Street and Lawrence Avenue area and spectators came prepared to watch in warm coats, hats and mittens.

The St. Basils College team displayed the new heritage classic gold jerseys designed by the Ontario Ball Hockey Association and Primetime Sports.   The jerseys had an old style feel created in a heavy knit and string collar with sewn on numbers displayed on the players backs.

"It was a (NHL) Winter Classic type game," said Joe Gennaro, president of the Chaminade College Alumni Association. "This is the first time we've attempted (holding a game outdoors)."

"We're did it for the kids," Gennaro said of the decision to hold the game outside. "It brings attention to the school and the players got to experience what the pros experience. The goal is to make it an annual event."

Dan Ranalli, hockey coach for St. Basil, said the school tries to do something new and interesting each year to promote the growth and development of its hockey program.

"An inaugural (Toronto District Colleges Athletic Association) outdoor game such as this one is history in the making," he said. "Both St. Basil and Chaminade College School, along with their administrators, coaching staffs and players were truly excited about the game. It is not only about the game, however, it is about community. It was an event that included other people such as the school's respective alumni, families and the friends of everyone involved."

Ranalli, who graduated in the 1970s from Chaminade along with Gennaro, said playing a varsity game outdoors wasn't an option when he attended the school.

"Hence, we did the next best thing; we put our heads together and decided to provide this generation the opportunity we never had," he said. "It's outdoor, it's traditional, it's hockey. It just doesn't get any better than that."