Rivalry Comes to the Ice: Navy and Army square off in D.C.

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Charlotte Oliver | WASHINGTON (Dec. 5, 2016) Members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army play in a joint services hockey game at the Verizon Center in Washington, D. C. The game was held as a precursor to the college football rivalry game between U.S. Naval Academy, Navy Midshipmen, and U.S. Military Academy, Army Black Knights, scheduled for Dec. 10, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Charlotte C. Oliver/Released)  

DC, UNITED STATES

12.05.2016

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Charlotte Oliver  

Navy Production Division - Defense Media Activity

Before the Navy Midshipmen and Army Black Knights meet on the gridiron in the 117th Army – Navy game Dec. 10, servicemembers took their storied rivalry to the ice at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. Dec. 5.

Army Navy week kicked off with local servicemembers from all five branches of service as they met at the centerline following the Washington Capitals win over the Buffalo Sabers in a friendly, pick-up style game of hockey.

Embodying the esprit de corps, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley coached his team of Soldiers and Airmen, while U.S. Navy Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Ted Carter captained his team of Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen on the ice.

Both men have hockey in their blood, Milley played hockey for Princeton before joining the ranks in the Army, while “Slap Shot” Carter played for the academy before trading in his skates for a fighter jet.

Speaking with the Washington Capitals team, Milley wanted to bring more attention to the less than one percent who serve our proud nation. Together with support of the Capitals team and Adm. Carter over a 40 servicemembers brought camaraderie to the ice.

“What a great way to kick off Army Navy week,” said Milley.

Now they needed their rivals – the sea services – to meet them on the ice.

“Word came down from the Pentagon that Gen. Milley was trying to set up a pick-up hockey game between some Army folks and Navy folks,” said Carter. “My good friend Vice Adm. Fogle got a hold of me and said ‘hey there’s a hockey game coming up and since your call sign is Slap Shot we think you ought to be playing!’ so I said ‘I’m in!’”

Navy took the first goal just halfway into the first period, but Army was quick to strike back. The two teams had fierce determination on their faces and at the end of the first period the game was tied at 1-1.

Navy struck back in the second period, taking a 2-1 lead, but Army had a quick return and at the end of the second Army had a 3-2 lead. The camaraderie on the ice was clear and teams of enlisted and officers alike worked as smoothly as you would see on a ship or at a squadron.

Army went on the take a 5-2 lead into the third period and Navy was able to answer back with a late game goal, but with less than a minute remaining in the game, Army won 5-3.

“This was a great experience, great time for Army and Navy to get together, but these are the real heroes of the game,” said Milley and with that he turned it over to his players.

“I grew up playing a lot of pond hockey and in clubs,” said Air Force personalist Lindsay Colburn, a native a Northwood, New Hampshire. “I played on the varsity teams and in college.” Colburn, Army’s goalie, was also awarded player of the game by Milley.

Philadelphia native and Under Secretary of the Army, Patrick Murphy, himself a former collegiate hockey player and had deployed with Milley during the first Gulf War, where they shared their love of all things hockey.

“We’re very proud chief [Milley] organized this, it was a great way to start beat Navy week,” Murphy said with a laugh. “Getting a win for the Army team and it was great coaching, great leadership and great teamwork with guys and gals.”

Head coach for team Navy, Gunnery Sgt. Ryan Parent of Atlanta, Georgia, was thrilled to have the opportunity to coach the Navy team.

“I play for the Marine Corps team and the powers that be reached out to the team and asked for players stationed in the D.C. area,” said Parent of his selection as team coach. “And when I’m not on the ice playing, I’m coaching the Marine Corps team, so when I was asked to coach I said absolutely.”

After a lot of laughs and handshakes the players filed out onto the streets of D.C. heading back to their homes and commands with new stories to tell their fellow shipmates and battle buddies in the morning.

Army Navy week will conclude this weekend when the Midshipmen and Black Knights game kicks off this Saturday Dec. 10, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore at 3 p.m.

• Date Taken: 12.05.2016
• Date Posted: 12.07.2016 08:59
• Story ID: 216688
• Location: DC, US