Thursday night's celebrity hockey game at the Shattuck St. Mary's Ice Arena in Faribault, Minn. featured a number of NHLers from the area, including Zach Parise of the New Jersey Devils, Kyle Okposo of the New York Islanders and Drew Stafford of the Buffalo Sabres among others.
But the biggest star turned out to be 11-year old Nick Smith, who sank a puck from center ice between a three-and-a-half-inch cutout in the goal during a fan promotion. Smith had a $10 raffle ticket for the chance to shoot; it turned into a $50,000 prize:
But while Nick Smith was announced as the winner of the money, Nick Smith wasn't actually the one who took the amazing shot.
When the winning ticket was called, Nick was outside of the arena, unaware he had been selected to take the shot.
In stepped his twin brother, Nate, who fired the puck and won the price.
"I was outside when my name was called," says Nick Smith. "So Nate took the shot in my place."
No one suspected anything. Nate and Nick are twin brothers.
"I walked back in and my friend told me my brother made the shot," says Nick. "I was shocked."
Both brothers have played hockey since they were 3 years old, but both admit the shot was pretty lucky.
"I just lined up and yeah...made it," says Nate. "I was pretty stunned."
The twins' dad told the organizers of the game on Friday that Nate was the one who took the shot, not Nick. No decision has been made yet whether or not they'll have to give up the $50,000, but at least one of the hockey-playing twins looks to have a bright future in the sport.
"If we get the money, we'll save it for college. It was pretty cool," said Nate Smith to KARE.