Tie breaker: Dover/McGuire All-Stars hockey teams face off in charity match

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Donna T. Jeffries
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  With a record tied of one win a piece, the Dover and McGuire All-Stars Hockey teams are set to compete on ice Mar 28 at 2 p.m., at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia for the third consecutive year.

The teams from Dover Air Force Base and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst compete annually for a charity fundraiser match that supports military families in need. Proceeds of the match are donated to the Combined Federal Campaign and Air Force Assistance Fund. Collectively the teams have raised more than $1,250 for this year's competition and more than $3,400 over the previous two years.

In addition to helping fellow military members, bragging rights and a Commander's Cup trophy are at stake at the upcoming match said Staff Sgt. Michael Ramos, McGuire All-Stars team facilitator.

"Players come and go so it's hard to gage how the teams will compare each year," said Sergeant Ramos. About 50 percent of JB MDL's team remains the same with a total of 16 active duty, Reserve and civilian players making up the rooster he said. Spectators can anticipate watching a good game he added.

Dover's team facilitator agrees the match will be good.

"We're looking for fun and having a great time like we've had in the last couple of years," said Senior Master Sgt. Don Kimball. "The best part is with the donations we receive we get to help folks that need assistance, "he said.

Along with practicing at an ice rink in Harrington, Del., Dover's 19-person team has had a few scrimmages with the University of Delaware's hockey team to help them prepare for the tie-breaking match said Sergeant Kimball.

On the home front, since early January, JB MDL team members have been gearing up for the match with practice sessions held every Friday at The Igloo ice rink in Mt. Laurel, N.J.

"This is my first year on the team and it's an honor to help defend the cup on behalf of JB MDL," said Tech. Sgt. James Callari.

Another newcomer shares his excitement.

"It's my first year and I'm really excited to serve my base in a way I didn't think I ever could," said Capt. Brent Mittelstaedt of the 87th Aerospace Medicine Squadron. "I have sold over 30 tickets to the game as I grew up in New Jersey and have a lot of family and co-workers that want to support us."

There is one major change in this year's competition. The matchup has moved from being held at the Wachovia Spectrum, which previously hosted the American Hockey League team, the Philadelphia Phantoms, to being played at the Wachovia Center which houses the National Hockey League team, the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Wachovia Spectrum, where the Flyers won consecutive Stanley Cup Championships in 1974 and 1975 before the American League moved in, is scheduled for demolition this Spring thus prompting the change in venue.

"I've played at the Wachovia Center before and it's an amazing feeling to walk out onto the ice with all of those seats around the rink imagining them full of cheering fans," said Sergeant Callari. "A big arena such as this needs many people to help make noise for their team," said Callari, encouraging everyone to come and cheer for their team.

"There will definitely be a sense of awe when we first walk out," Captain Mittelstaedt. "I've played in an area half that size and I still was a bit awestruck. But once the game gets going I think we'll just see a rink and that's the same everywhere. Hopefully we'll have a lot of fans to make it sound like a NHL game."

Attendees get two-for-the-price-of-one with the purchase of each ticket. Cost is $30 per person and also includes admission to the Flyers vs. the New Jersey Devils game beginning at 7 p.m. Children 2 and under are free. Contact Sergeant Ramos at (856) 404-8513 or e-mail mnramos25@aol.com to purchase tickets.