Plot

While Donna MacGonigal is tempted by a business offer by an old love, her father and friends decide to put on an old timers celebrity hockey game and auction for charity, only to find themselves cheated by con artists.

Christmas is approaching. The town of Gibsons on BC's Sunshine Coast has faced better days, the downturn the town's economy affecting almost everyone in some form or another. Dave MacGonigal, the latest owner of the town's iconic café, Molly's Reach, is known for pulling get rich quick schemes - sometimes which are less than ethical or legal - to make ends meet, which doesn't sit well with his business partner, his daughter Donna MacGonigal, an MBA graduate who thinks good business sense is a better approach for getting them out of their economic slump. These schemes also don't sit well with Kelly Mah, the town's RCMP constable, who has a love/hate relationship with Dave. In part to raise his reputation in town as an upstanding citizen, Dave, for his latest scheme, this time to help the town have a Merry Christmas, plans to hold a charity hockey match between the town's recreational team, led by Staff Sergeant John Constable, and a team of ex-pro players. Ray Decker, the agent for the pro players, is off for Christmas. What Dave is unaware of is that Earl Decker, Ray's brother who ends up handling this charity game arrangements for Dave without Ray's knowledge, is a bigger con artist than Dave. Dave may end up losing more than his shirt to Earl on this scheme if Earl has his way. But schemer Dave may have his own tricks to outsmart Earl, Dave's in the form of a new secret resident of Gibsons. Meanwhile, Peter Englewood, Donna's former MBA colleague and former fiancé, arrives in Gibsons to offer Donna a lucrative business opportunity, which may take her away from Gibsons for good. Donna has mixed feelings about this opportunity, as does her current boyfriend, boat operator Scott Rivers, who doesn't want to see Donna go but also doesn't want to be the person standing in the way of her bright business future.—Huggo

In the town of Gibson's, Dave MacGonigal suggests an old timer celebrity charity hockey game where the gangs plays against the Pro-Stars and auction. Unfortunately, Dave discovers too late he has been cheated by two amateur con artists with fake auction items and nobody players. However, Dave retaliates a wager with the con artists with his secret weapon being the goalie position he plays. In reality, he is being impersonated by Manon Rheaume, the first female NHL player who happens to be living in the area and agrees to be his ringer. Whether it will be enough is another matter. Meanwhile, during this risky venture, Dave's daughter is tempted with a job opportunity with an old flame that would mean leaving Gibson's and her father for good.—Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)