Since the early 1960s, a Roman candle of a high school rivalry game has brightened St. Paul’s North End neighborhood.

In the early days, St. Paul Washington and St. Bernard’s would square off annually in what became known as the “Rice Street Cup,” with numerous players from the same neighborhood sporting opposing sweaters.

When Washington closed in 1979, the animosity transferred to the newly opened Como Park High School, little more than a mile West of Washington.

With dwindling numbers forcing each team to be comprised of co-ops (St. Bernard’s became the St. Paul Saints) the intensity would continue until 2010, before the closing of St. Bernard’s dimmed the luster of the event.

Thanks to several former players, however, the magic of those neighborhood shootouts can be relived each January.

“The Rice Street Cup was huge to us in high school,” former St. Paul Saints defenseman and 2006 St. Bernard’s graduate Chris Anderson said at this year’s Third Annual Rice Street Cup Alumni game. “In grade school, we always watched it growing up. So we figured, why not throw something together?”

That “something” has morphed into a three-game event, drawing players from the Class of 2013 to the Class of 1978 that skated last Saturday in the below-zero weather. 

Anderson credits his younger brother Mike (St. Bernard’s ’09) and Sam Paitich (Como Park ’07) as the original architects of the alumni game.

“Mikey did all the work,” Chris said. “(He) called Sam Paitich to get some guys together from the Como side,” Chris explained, adding that since 2013 the game has grown in participation.

“We wanted to make it so that we didn’t have to cut anyone out,” Paitich said of the expansion to three teams.

The games have also become a means of reunion for former players, many of whom skated together in youth programs. That familiarity made for an intimate rivalry, which led to physically bruising games for over 40 years.

“To the community it’s a big thing, because that game always meant blood, I guess,” Chris said with a chuckle. "Even though you grew up with (opposing players), you strapped on your warrior gear and went at it."

No matter which age group was on the outdoor rink at the North Dale Recreation Center, there were always one or two members of the Paitich family chewing up the ice.

In many capacities, the Paitich’s could be called the First Family of St. Paul city hockey, and their presence was palpable with Neil (Washington ’71) officiating, and Dean (Washington ’78), Ryan (Como Park ’01), Sam (Como Park ’07) and Max (Como Park ’09) playing.

Neil coached the Como Park varsity from 1983-2010, with son Ryan joining him as an assistant for his last seven seasons. Ryan is now the head coach of the St. Paul Blades varsity girls’ hockey team.

Sam pulled double-duty for the three games, playing and officiating, and reflected on his family’s attendance with pride.

“I feel really lucky to have that opportunity,” Sam said after the games concluded. “I don’t think many people have cousins on every team, an uncle that’s out there (as referee),” Sam added with a grin. “I feel really lucky.”