The Conservatives and Liberals took their differences to the rink last night for their yearly hockey grudge match.

Curious onlookers knew something out of the ordinary was going on at the multiple rink and soccer facility with all the well-groomed, suit clad, earpiece wearing security detail roaming the halls.

They were there not to protect any of the ragtag band of skaters on the ice, but Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who took up coaching duties behind the bench of his undermanned squad. Harper did not take the game lightly. He had a binder full of plays tucked under his arm.

The shining light for the Conservatives was Industry Minister Jim Prentice. He was Harper's leader on the ice, playing centre on the top line, just as he seems to do in cabinet.

Immigration Minister Monte Solberg needs to work on his skating, while backbencher Patrick Brown could add a few pounds of muscle for the dirty work in the corners.

The Liberals added a couple of former MPs, Joe Jordan and Hec Cloutier, to their team and they needed them.

The game ended in a 5-5 draw. A tie that's reflected in some of the most recent polls too.

And no, Ken Dryden was not in net for Team Liberal.