Thank you to everyone who participated in this fundraising event on Friday, November 4th.
Puck drop with 4X Stanley Cup Champion Darren McCarty, Dan Stahl and Matt McMurray & Cobalt, his medically trained service dog from Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs.
This past Friday, November 4th, Stahls’ dropped the puck to start off our Power Play for Heroes charity events, which is two days of fundraising supporting our veterans. All proceeds from both events benefit Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs. This charity focuses on pairing our veterans with medically trained service dogs.
The St. Clair Shores Civic Arena was packed with exuberant fans and it was fantastic family atmosphere. Mary and I had a wonderful time watching both teams participate in this fundraising effort. Thank you to everyone behind the scenes who made it happen, especially Paul Sabatini and Dan Stahl and their team of volunteers. Here is Paul’s recap on Friday’s game. It was truly a lot of fun for a very worthy cause.
Game Notes from Paul Sabatini:
The hockey game was in our own backyard at SCS Civic Arena and the bleachers were packed and was at standing room only around the glass. We truly made it a home game atmosphere for Team Stahls’ as many employees and their family members were in attendance.
Fans in attendance were able to take part in 50/50 and gift basket raffles, take their photo with the Ted Lindsay award and explore all the memorabilia that was displayed.
Legendary NHL Zamboni driver started the event off by flooding the ice before the game and taking part in his famous tossing of the octopus into the crowd. This is part of Detroit Red Wings history.
Veterans were honored before the game and Dan Stahl spoke thanking everyone involved in making the event happen, with special thanks to Paul Sabatini and Kelli Harvey, the volunteers, and to everyone in attendance for their support of our Veterans and Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs.
The ceremonial puck drop featured 4X Stanley Cup Champion Darren McCarty, Dan Stahl and Matt McMurray & Cobalt, his medically trained service dog from Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs.
Action started right away with great up and down hockey and the fans were cheering on their Detroit Red Wings Alumni heroes and of course our very own Team Stahls’. We also had something that you do not see at a hockey game. After Team Stahls’ Paul Sabatini scored our first goal, the Alumni pulled their goalie, Eddie Mio, but they brought out a walker for him to use when exiting the net. This provided a fun moment and first-time memory that was never done at a Red Wings Alumni game. During the intermission fans as well as players on the ice sang along to Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond which created great involvement for the fans and players.
The Detroit Red Wings Alumni ended up winning the game with a 10-6 final, with Alex Foster and Darren McCarty leading the way for the Alumni with 2 goals each, and Paul Sabatini and Joe Burt leading the charge for Team Stahls’ with two goals each.
In the end it did not matter who won the game, as these games are meant for anyone; friends, families, co-workers to have fun all while supporting our Veterans and charity, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs.
Concluding the hockey game was the customary handshake and teams meeting at center ice for a group photo, which also included the local hockey team, SCS Flyers, which is a special needs hockey team, whose home ice is SCS Civic Arena. With that, coming soon in 2023 Team Stahls’ will be playing the SCS Flyers for a rematch of last year’s game. Be on the lookout for more details to come.
After Team Stahls’ Paul Sabatini scored our first goal, the Alumni pulled their goalie, Eddie Mio, but they brought out a walker for him to use when exiting the net.
National anthem and color guard.
We hope to see you at the upcoming Veterans Day event at the Stahl Automotive Collection in Chesterfield on November 11, 2022 from 10 AM to 5 PM. For more information, visit Stahl Automotive.
