Photo By Lisa Tourtelot | Cpl. Joseph Quattrucci of the U.S. Military All-Stars chases the puck away from the...... read more read more
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SAN DIEGO -- An hour before the start of the game, the stands at the San Diego Ice Arena had begun to fill with more than 1,200 people to support Wounded Warrior Battalion West and enjoy a hockey game, Aug. 28.
Players from the now disbanded San Diego Gulls reunited to face off against service members on the U.S. Military All-Stars team to raise money for local Wounded Warriors.
Between ticket sales, donations and a raffle, the game raised approximately $3,000 for the Wounded Warriors, explained Craig Sterling, hockey director at the SDIA.
The large turnout called for volunteers from various SDIA classes and hockey teams to direct traffic and parking, as well as provide additional ticket-takers and concessionaires.
Although the Gulls are no longer an official team, this is the third year its former members have volunteered to participate, explained Sterling.
“It’s a terrific charity event,” said Brad Belland, former Gulls vice president. “I would be here every time for it.”
Forty-five service members competed for a team spot, and after five rounds of tryouts supervised by Sterling only 17 formed the All-Stars.
Every All-Star is a locally stationed service member and former high school, college or minor league hockey player, including Capt. Andrew Casci and Lance Cpl. Phillip Brown, both stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
In the two previous games, the Gulls found easy victory, acknowledged Sterling, but exhaustive tryouts garnered serious and experienced players who surprised the Gulls.
The All-Stars started the game with a bang by scoring the first goal within minutes and kept the crowd on its feet with an aggressive offense.
In the player’s box, the All-Stars were pure business, but often couldn’t hold back smiles for the love of the game.
Army Maj. Jade P. Miller, the All-Stars assistant coach, said that is was “nice to see these guys back from multiple deployments doing what they love.”
The enthusiasm reverberated in a crowd that cheered when either team scored or blocked a particularly close shot.
Tensions on the ice ran high as the All-Stars nipped at the heels of the Gulls throughout the game, however the Gulls ended the game with a 13-9 victory.
Although it was an intense game, players from both the All-Stars and the Gulls remained on the ice to skate with eager fans, all to support Wounded Warrior Battalion West.
| Date Taken: | 08.28.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 09.24.2010 14:11 |
| Story ID: | 56926 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 41 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Service members, Gulls face off for charity, by Lisa Tourtelot, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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