Mon, 09/26/2011 – 06:57 – PokerPages Staff

The wider world was reminded of the positive impact poker can have last week as a selection of leading poker pros and NHL stars joined forces to raise $50,000 for cancer research in Quebec, Canada.

Playground Poker Club’s ‘NHL Faceoff’ proved to be a huge success. The Jodi Taiger Lazarus Fund for Hereditary Breast Cancer Research at McGill University was the main beneficiary of the three day tournament which ran from September 10 through 12.

Ten teams captained by National Hockey League players took center stage during the two opening day flights. The NHL stars were flanked by poker pros including World Series of Poker bracelet winner Pascal Lefrancois, Jeff Madsen, Jennifer Leigh and Gavin Smith who were on hand to offer their expert insight.

A recent press release detailed one such situation. “In one particular hand, Montreal-born professional poker player Marc Karam was called on by his Team Captain Steve Shutt to analyze a hand and Karam quickly gave his calculated overview. Shutt pushed all-in with pocket tens and doubled his stack.”

Montreal Canadien’s Carey Price and co-captain Lefrancois headed the team which eventually snared the spoils on Day 2. The duo will now join their other team members to compete in a $5,000 Freeroll which will take a place at a later date.

Jason Smith emerged triumphant in the individual event. Smith outlasted the 293 runners on show to land a $25,000 jackpot, gold Playground Poker Club bracelet and NHL Faceoff Cup. A $50,000 sum from the $120,000 prize pool was donated to the Jodi Taiger Lazarus Fund.