Monday, February 25, 2013

Comcast Arena Classic Raises over $15,000

Press Release

EVERETT – The Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League and Washington Stealth of the National Lacrosse League combined to raise over $15,000 for local youth sports organizations with the inaugural Comcast Arena Classic Thursday night in downtown Everett.  The benefit lacrosse game combined Silvertips and Stealth players together on two teams who competed in a spirited and entertaining exhibition match before an enthusiastic crowd of supporters for both franchises and local youth sports.

With support from Global Spectrum, management for the Comcast Arena and the Everett Public Facilities District, 100 percent of the proceeds from nearly 4,000 tickets distributed for the game benefitted area youth hockey and lacrosse organizations and the Everett Boys & Girls Club.  A series of local dignitaries, including Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson, participated in pre-game ceremonies to help celebrate the event.

Team Dark built an early 5-1 lead in the game, but Team White stormed back to take an 8-6 halftime lead.  The White squad had stretched the advantage to 17-6 by the end of the third quarter, but was forced to hold on late in the game as Team Dark staged a furious comeback.  In the end, Team White managed to hold on in the final minutes to come away with a 20-16 victory.

“It was a really good experience,” said Silvertips rookie forward Mitch Skapski, who was named Silvertips player of the game from the victorious Team White.  “It was funny watching our guys doing the best they could out there, just closing their eyes and trying hit the net, but the Stealth guys were great and helped us get going.  We had a great time, and it’s an even better feeling that it was all to help out kids in the area.”

Veteran forward Reid Petryk was the highest-scoring hockey player in the game, leading all Silvertips with two goals and two assists for Team White.  Leading the way for the Stealth was longtime star and second-leading goal scorer Lewis Ratcliff, who scored four goals and assisted on two others for the White Team.

“I went hard for a quarter and then purposely slowed down,” said recently-retired NLL veteran and current Stealth Assistant Coach Jason Bloom, who was named Stealth player of the game for Team Dark.  “We’ve watched the ‘Tips and cheered for them, but it was a lot of fun to get out and actually play with them.  Some of the ‘Tips guys were already talking about next season when they can get us on the ice.”

Participating local youth sports clubs benefitting from the event include: 
Everett Youth Hockey
Seattle Junior Hockey Association
Everett Boys & Girls Club
Eastside Catholic School Lacrosse Club
Edmonds Chiefs Lacrosse Club
Edmonds Eagles Lacrosse Club
Everett Lacrosse Club
Mukilteo Lacrosse Club
Northshore Lacrosse
North Kitsap Lacrosse
Roosevelt High School Lacrosse Club
South Kitsap Lacrosse
Snohomish Lacrosse Club
Skyline Spartans Lacrosse Club
Stanwood Lacrosse Club
University of Washington Men's Lacrosse Club

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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