Photo: Dmytro Aksonov / E+ / Getty Images
(West Des Moines, IA) -- The annual Turkey Cup hockey game between the Des Moines Capitals and Oak Leafs is returning tonight. This year, it's at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex in West Des Moines.
The game also acts as a fundraiser for the Adopt-a-Family program. Kari Brett is the president of the Oak Leafs.
"We are collecting a free will donation at the door that will help support, usually, four families through out Adopt-a-Family in Des Moines," Brett says.
She says the players get to help out, too.
"Each team will be able to go out and support families, wrap presents and deliver those to families this holiday season," Brett says.
For the kids, this is the biggest game of the year. Many of them grew up playing together or going to school with each other. Matt Moulton is the president of the Capitals.
"I would compare it to an Iowa-Iowa State game, a Valley-Dowling football game, or something of that nature," Moulton says.
Brett says the timing allows for a full house.
"We play four times a year but this is our first matchup of the season," Brett says. "We never play prior to the Turkey Cup...it's around the holidays so a lot of the kids don't have to go to school the next day. A lot of the younger kids can come."
It's the 22nd year of the event. The night begins with a junior varsity game at 6 p.m. with the varsity teams to follow.