Last week the hockey community came together for the first ever Puck Aid game. Puck Aid is the brainchild of 2010 BBC Sports Personality of the Year (Unsung Hero category) winner Lance Haggith and former Manchester Storm and Italian international defenceman Trevor Johnson. Obviously the GB games in Budapest saw a lot of the best players away but still the players who took part with names we are all familiar with.
The pinnacle game was obviously the North taking on the South, but there was plenty of things going on throughout the day to keep everyone entertained. From a Junior game featuring the Milton Keynes Storm, ice skating from members of the International Ice School (and these twirlies, as I call them, were pretty decent), Para Hockey, artists singing and a mascot dance off. A bit of everything. The organisers had really put their thinking caps on and wanted everyone who attended to enjoy themselves.
A good sprinkling of fans were in attendance with fans attending from not just the local club, some had even travelled down from Fife to attend so special props to those who did that. It's a not as if it is a short hop on a bus that journey. Whilst the MK rink was not full, for a first ever event of this kind, the attendance figure must have pleased the organisers. Having helped organise something like this, but not as extensive, the numbers certainly gave optimism that this can become a regular thing in years to come.
So which "stars" did we get to see lace up the skates and take part? As stated previously it was the North versus the South with Sheffield probably being the border. The North side featured the ever popular Zack Fitzgerald as it's captain, and coached by former Steelers and current Manchester Storm Head Coach Ryan Finnerty. It also had Hull Pirates/Manchester Storm netminder Ashley Smith, Storm players Linden Springer, Ciaran Long and Declan Balmer as well as Dundee GM/Head Coach Omar Pacha and Storm legend Mike Morin. The Southern side had Matt Nickerson as its stellar name, Panthers netminder Sam Gospel, GB hockey legend Russ Cowley, MK's own Jonathan Boxill; Christian Isackson and Denny Kearney as well as Coventry Blaze head coach Danny Stewart.
Naturally there were plenty of goals flying in the respective nets, Pacha looking an absolute natural fit at centre whilst Stewart, Morin and Cowley showing why each of them had such a great career in this sport. The only thing it missed was the officials calling comical penalties such as "Two minutes for wanting a sweetie"; that would have made it even better in my opinion. But it was a well organised event and I understand that plans are already underway for next year's event which will build on this year's. It was to raise funds for youngsters to realise their sporting dreams which is a great touch primarily but also 28% from the final total was going also to the Humboldt Broncos fund which is an even greater cause.
Overall, a fantastic day and I personally can't wait for Puck Aid 2019. We will preview that much closer to the time of course. Thanks for reading.
Please like The Hockey Blog on Facebook and for Twitter users you can connect with us at:
@hockeybhoy
@hockeyblogger71
If you want to e-mail me then I can be reached at the following email address: hockeybhoy71@outlook.com
No comments:
Post a Comment