There's a friendly rivalry in the Bow Valley Adult Hockey League (BVAHL) and while many are friends, it can get pretty intense on the ice, especially during the playoffs.

The Blazers and Drillers were set for a rematch for the league championships when tragedy struck the Humbolt Broncos and everything changed. The championship series was called off and the league instead gave the trophy to the Broncos.

The Blazers (Courtesy of Justin Hedemann)

League president Justin Hedemann, who's with the Drillers, explains the league usually has a best-of-three final but it just didn't seem right to go ahead this season.

"The Blazers and I got talking and said why don't we just give the trophy to the Broncos this year, put our games aside and go have some pints at the bar, watch some playoff hockey and pretend we like each other for a night," says Hedemann.

"We're all friends, so I think it was easier for us to say let's not play again this year because I don't think we talked to each other for a month after last year's final."

The finalists instead purchased special t-shirts bearing the words "Saturdays are for the Broncos" with the proceeds going to support the families of the Humboldt Broncos crash victims.

The Drillers (Courtesy of Justin Hedemann)"It was a way to show their support while giving away their money," says Hedemann. "It's not cheap to play in the league and it's good on these guys to do that."

Sunday would have potentially been the last game of the championship series, but instead it became a family skate for league members.

The BVAHL has eight teams and includes many former junior and even some pro players, says Hedemann. Many of them know what's it's like to spend time on the bus and travel through all conditions. 

"A lot of guys did spend time on the Gens bus and what not and some of the guys on the Blazers have played against the Broncos. It touched a lot of people, that's for sure."

Just finishing his third year as president, Hedemann says the league is continuing to gain more interest from players and he hopes to expand it to the point where it can be divided into divisions for older and younger players.

By the way, the Blazers won the championship last year in a series that went the full three games.