Score tells the story of a teenage hockey phenom Farley Gordon, played by Noah Reid, who, much to the dismay of his intellectual parents (Olivia Newton-John and Marc Jordan) and best friend (Allie MacDonald), goes from obscurity to overnight fame. But Farley finds that hockey stardom comes with a price – including the expectation to fight. Unlike other musicals, the story doesn’t stop just for the sake of a song. Instead, the lyrics (by McGowan) drive the plot. There are 20 original songs, including one by Barenaked Ladies. Choreographed sequences range from b-boy moves in the dressing room, to swirling patterns on the ice.

"We hope that this film strikes a chord with Canadians," said McGowan. "It’s fantastic that it’s being showcased as the opening night film, not only in Toronto but in festivals across the country.”In addition to the 35th annual Toronto International Film Festival, opening on September 9th, Score: A Hockey Musical will also open festivals in Halifax, (Sept. 16), Sudbury (Sept. 18), Calgary (Sept. 23) and Edmonton (Sept. 24).

"How timely that we have this film ending our year of Olympic glory," said Hussain Amarshi, president of Canadian distributor Mongrel Media.

In addition to the lead actors, Score is filled with guest performances including music artists Nelly Furtado, Hawksley Workman and John McDermott, as well as journalists George Stroumboulopoulos and Evan Solomon, sports anchor Stephen Kouleas, hockey dad Walter Gretzky and hockey star Theo Fleury. The cast also includes Stephen McHattie as the team owner, John Pyper-Ferguson as the coach, Brandon Firla as an agent, Dru Viergever as Farley’s enforcer, John Robinson as the team trainer, and Gianpaolo Venuta as Eve’s would-be suitor

The film also serves as a love letter to McGowan's hometown of Toronto. There are scene set in Nathan Phillips Square, the Annex, Wychwood Park, the Art Gallery of Ontario and Weston Arena. Score: A Hockey Musical opens October 22 in Canada.