ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — Scott Hartnell stood at center ice with a collection of teammates and rivals, NHL players locked out by the League's owners.

Nearly 11,000 fans crammed Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ, on Saturday night, to watch them compete for three periods of exhibition hockey, raising money to help those who lost everything in Hurricane Sandy.

The fans' chant near the end of the game?

"WE WANT HOC-KEY."

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't get choked up a little bit with 11,000 people chanting that they want hockey back," said Hartnell, who helped organize the Operation Hat Trick event and captained a team that lost to one captained by Brad Richards of the New York Rangers, 10-6.

"We want to be playing. It's unfortunate that we're not playing right now," said Hartnell.

The event, organized in a matter of weeks, saw fans paying upwards of $100 for tickets while game gear and jerseys were auctioned off by Steiner Sports. The game raised money for the Empire State Relief Fund, the New Jersey Hurricane Relief Fund and the American Red Cross, benefiting New York and New Jersey families affected by Sandy.

Another group the NHL all-star event undeniably benefited: The jersey-clad, beer-swilling hockey fanatics that have been deprived of the NHL this season. The Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils fans (among others) that filled the rink cheered and chanted, leaving the players appreciating the atmosphere.

Devils goalie Marty Brodeur, for example, was booed during introductions, as Rangers and Flyers fans found common ground. (They would later join together for a bellowing "Crosby Sucks" chant, despite the Pittsburgh Penguins star not being a part of the event.) Brodeur was also mocked with the sing-song "Marrrt-y" chants when he struggled in the first period.

"It was like playoff hockey out there, even though it was lollygag hockey with a lot of fancy plays. But the fans were really into it," said Brodeur.

It was a chance for the fans to live the NHL game-night experience for the first time in months. But it was also a chance for them to register their anger towards the lockout, the NHL — and Gary Bettman in particular.

Operation Hat Trick was the brainchild of Joe Watson, senior vice president of national marketing for Caesars Entertainment's Eastern Division. He suggested the idea of a charity game to Hartnell while they watched the Philadelphia Eagles several weeks ago.

It became apparent that Boardwalk Hall would be an ideal location, given the damage Hurricane Sandy had done to Atlantic City … and, well, given the fact that it's about a three minute walk from Caesars.

Before the game, the casino at Caesars Atlantic City looked like it was being invaded by puckheads. Interspersed with well dressed patrons playing card games were bright orange Flyers sweaters, dark blue Rangers jerseys and other fans wearing NHL swag.

Larry Flood, a Flyers fan wearing a Dave Schultz sweater, stood in the Roman columned atrium of Caesars an hour before the game. "I think it's great. A good way to get players playing during the lockout, while raising money for a great cause," he said.

Like many hockey fans, Flood's been trying to feed his hockey addiction during the prolonged lockout. "I have plenty of DVDs. Been watching them to get my fill," he said.

But along with helping the victims of Sandy, he saw the Operation Hat Trick game as a way to reconnect with the game — and the game-going experience.

"Looking for a little bit of something to hold onto," said Flood.

Flood shared that desire for NHL normalcy with many others in attendance. The fans that proudly wore their colors around Atlantic City on game day. The fans that chanted for the Flyers or Rangers, or razzed Brodeur. The fans that hugged after goals like their favorite player was chasing the Art Ross.

And, of course, the fans that were pounding beer.

In the parking garage of Caesars. On the boardwalk. And in the arena, where Bill from Atlantic City was sipping suds before the game, in the last row of the lower bowl.

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