'Paint the Rink Pink' exceeds Aces' expectations
October 25, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Alaska Aces News Release
FRESNO, Calif. - As part of their season-opening weekend at Sullivan Arena next Saturday, the Alaska Aces will be presenting a check before the second game of its series with Florida to the Alaska Chapter of the American Cancer Society and Breast Cancer Focus, Inc.
With the help of keynote sponsors such as Providence Health & Services Alaska, Alaska Regional Hospital, GCI, Anchorage Media Group, Channel 2 & Syntax, the Anchorage Daily News, and Fred Meyer, the Aces raised more than $103,000 in support of the two groups when they played host to a pair of pre-season games at Sullivan Arena October 10-11. The check presentation will occur in a special pre-game ceremony prior to Alaska's match-up with the Florida Everblades November 3 at 7:15 p.m.
"Breast Cancer Focus, Inc. is profoundly grateful for the support of the Aces, their fans and their sponsors. The funds provided to BCFI from the Aces 'Paint the Rink Pink' event will significantly impact our ability to support local organizations and will make a real difference in the lives of many Alaskans," said Kristin Mellinger, President of BCFI. "We are particularly pleased that this addition to our budget will allow us to provide moneys to organizations that have requested additional support because their state or federal funding has been eliminated."
The Aces wore commemorative pink jerseys that were auctioned off following the October 11 game, and both teams played on Sullivan Arena ice dyed pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Alaska and Texas drew a combined 12,113 fans for the two pre-season games, shattering all paid attendance records for ECHL pre-season action.
"We are awed and humbled by the outpouring of community support we received through this event and would like to thank the Aces for taking the lead in bringing this issue to the forefront, said Sarah Robinson, District Executive Director for the American Cancer Society. "Cancer is the leading cause of death here in Alaska, but many of those deaths can be prevented through healthy lifestyles, prevention, and early detection."
In Aces hockey news, the club faces a rematch with the Fresno Falcons tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. AST. Fresno defeated Alaska 4-2 Tuesday, before the Aces rallied last night with a 3-2 shootout victory at Bakersfield. The lineup will change somewhat, as this morning forward Ryan Reaves and defenseman Neil Komadoski were recalled by Alaska's AHL affiliate in Peoria, while the Rivermen assigned winger Cam Keith, a member of the 2006 Kelly Cup champion Aces, and defenseman Ryan Glenn to Alaska. Both players will be in uniform for the Aces this weekend.
Alaska wraps up its four-game trip to open the regular season Saturday in Stockton at 6:35 p.m. AST. The Thunder ended a three-game slide to open the year with a 4-0 shutout win at Phoenix last night. All regular season games will be broadcast live on Alaska's flagship station, AM 750 KFQD, with coverage beginning 15 minutes prior to the opening face-off. The Aces home Sunday in preparation for their series with Florida, which gets underway Friday, November 2, at 7:15 p.m.
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