OHL Saginaw Spirit

Third Annual Shocks And Saves Game Raises Over $39,000 To Combat Heart Disease

Published on February 1, 2010 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


(Saginaw, MI) The third annual MCVI Foundation Shocks and Saves charity event was a smashing success Saturday night at The Dow Event Center, with over $39,000 raised to benefit the fight against heart disease. The game, presented by BIOTRONIK with support from Mobile Medical Response, the Jiri Fischer Healthy Hope Foundation and the Saginaw Spirit, has raised over $100,000 for the cause since it's inception in 2008.

The game was headlined by Jiri Fischer, the former star defenseman of the Detroit Red Wings who is a survivor of sudden cardiac arrest. After his life-changing experience, Fischer became an advocate for CPR training, the placement of AEDs in ice arenas and other public places and for greater heart health awareness.

"Things went great tonight () and the crowd was ecstatic," stated Fischer. "I had a lot of fun playing alongside so many great people and thank them for their participation. The overall success of the event will be evident in the following days and weeks as the money raised in the effort will be put towards the cause, and I appreciate everyone's support of our fight against Heart Disease."

Fischer led local doctors, paramedics and Red Wing alumni Larry Murphy, Dave Lewis and Mickey Redmond onto the ice Saturday. The doctors of Team Shocks led by Dr. Peter Fattal battled the opposition for three periods of play, but it was the emergency medical personnel of Team Saves lead by Allan Wearn that secured the win for MMR to become the first back-to-back champions (2009, 2010) in the event's three year history. The two teams played in front of over 2,000 people at The Dow Event Center. Following the Shocks and Saves game nearly thirty cardiac arrest survivors were honored at center ice for the perseverance in the face of adversity. Saturday night capped off with the Spirit beating divisional rivals the Sarnia Sting 4-2 in front of a sold out crowd of 5,527. The Spirit square wore special Detroit Red Wings themed jerseys during the contest, which were auctioned off to support the cause.

In addition to playing, the Shocks and Saves's participants sold tickets to the game with the proceeds going to benefit the fight. Dr. Paul Scaddan of Scheurer Hosiptal of Pigeon, MI led the group on the ticketing front, selling 148 tickets for the night. Dr. Colleen Linehan of Saginaw Valley Bone and Joint secured the second place honors with 110 tickets sold.

The MCVI Foundation, MMR and the Saginaw Spirit would like to thank all of the game participants for their help in making the night such a huge success!

Team Shocks - Ted Billy, Scott Cheney, Andy Dwan, William Engleman, Peter Fattal, Rob Guttormson, Duane Heilbronn, Jim Jesko, Colleen Linehan, John Llewelyn, Gregg McLean, Craig McManaman, Nick Paron, Dave Sauve, Paul Scaddan, Frank Schinco, Steve Sgrazzutti, Marilyn Staines, Thomas Veverka, and Craig Wesolek.

Team Saves - Eric Brin, Jason Brin, SJ Conroy, Josh Gosselin, Drew Grzegorczyk, Rod Hill, Rick Jones, Gary McLaughlin, Lindsay McLaughlin, Jeff Robson, Jacob Righi, Philip Shaver, Robert Schumacker, Tristan Stewart, John Tamer, Eric Tien, Mark Thompson, and Allan Wearn.

Other on ice participants included the celebrity corps of Jiri Fischer, Larry Murphy, Dave Lewis and Mickey Redmond, on-ice MC Scot Johnson of WNEM TV5 and referees Brian Kischnick, Eric Nowosatka. There was a lot of support off ice as well, with contributions from the staff of MCVI and MMR. Also supporting the cause were Zoll, WNEM TV5, Covenant HealthCare, MCVI, MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland, St. Mary's of Michigan, Advanced Diagnostic Imaging, HealthPlus of Michigan, Hockey Has Heart, Mid-Michigan Surgical Specialists, Saginaw Valley Bone and Joint Center, Timberline Emergency Physicians, Chemical Bank, Michigan Sugar Company, Northeast Michigan Pulmonary Associates, Saginaw Bay Underwriters, Schaefer & Bierlein, TBF Graphics, Valley Cardiology and more.

Proceeds from the game will be used to expand public access to automated external defibrillators (AED). Those nonprofit agencies wishing to be considered for the donation of an AED, should contact the MCVI Foundation at (989) 754-3319. The application deadline is March 1, 2010. Survivors of heart disease are also invited to contact the Foundation to share their stories and to be our guest at next year's Shocks and Saves game. "Heart disease statistics are chilling," stated MCVI Foundation Executive Director Diane Fong, "Shocks and Saves is just one way the Michigan CardioVascular Institute Foundation, along with our community partners MMR, the Healthy Hope Foundation and the Saginaw Spirit, are trying to change those statistics. We are thrilled with the public's response to this event and look forward to celebrating with even more heart disease survivors next year".

Get your tickets! The team is on the road this weekend but will return to The Dow Event Center to host the Plymouth Whalers on Friday, February 12 at 7:11 PM and the Windsor Spitfires Saturday, February 13 at 7:11 PM. It's the fourth annual Saginaw Spirit Ice Blast, presented by PRIDE in Saginaw Inc. For ticket information, please contact the Spirit at 989-497-7747 or visit the Official Saginaw Spirit Ticket and Merchandise Store at 5789 State Street in Saginaw.

Join the Saginaw Spirit for the fourth annual ICE BLAST, presented by PRIDE in Saginaw, Inc. The two day event will be held at The Dow Event Center Friday February 12 and Saturday February 13 - join in on the fun pre-game with a outdoor heated tent, live entertainment, drink specials and more! Wrap up the evening with Spirit hockey, featuring key match-ups against division rivals at 7:11 PM.

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