The fifth annual International Fire, Police & Military Winter Games charity hockey tournament, known as the Maine Event Battle on Ice, will take place this Friday through Sunday.
The three-day event will take place at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee, 190 Birch St., Lewiston. Teams of first responders, law enforcement and military will all be battling it out on the ice for charity and bragging rights.
“We couldn’t be happier, the tournament has grown from six teams our first year in 2010, to 16 strong this year all ready to have fun and skate for a good cause from all around Maine, the Country and Canada,” said Brenda Espinoza, executive director and creator of the tournament.
The teams will also be skating Friday on both rinks at the new Norway Bank Arena in Auburn. Mayor Jonathan LaBonte of Auburn will drop the first ceremonial puck at the Norway Bank Arena at 9 a.m. commencing the opening of the tournament until 1:30 p.m. Norway arena is located at 985 Turner St., Auburn. Friday’s games at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m
On Saturday, the tournament will continue at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee with all 16 teams competing for the title of gold, silver and bronze medals, as well as trophies for Sunday’s championship games.
“We have grown enough where we have split the tournament into two divisions, an A team and B team,” said Espinoza. “The winning teams will face off for the final day on Sunday beginning at 9 a.m. with the two bronze games, entertainment with the talented Army Sergeant First Class, Crystal Ryder, The wonderful Bates College a capella group, Take Note, and the amazing Shriners Kora Temple pipes and drummers.”
Tickets for the event can be purchased at the door at both venues. Single-day tickets are $10 and a three-day tournament ticket is $15. All military in uniform will be able to purchase tickets for $5 per day. All ticket sales, raffles, and prizes will benefit the Shriners Hospital for Children of Boston, which is internationally known as a center of excellence for pediatric specialty care, research and education.
This hospital is a world renowned leader in pediatric burn care. Additionally, their medical team has treaded hundreds of children with cleft lip and palate. They have now expanded their services to children for maxillofacial surgery, by collaborating with specialist from Mass General Hospital for Children.
The great part about the Shriners Hospitals for children, all 22 of them around the world, each provides medical treatment and services regardless of the patients’ ability to pay. Boston Shriners is a 30-bed hospital that admits more than 1,200 children annually and nearly 6,000 children are seen in the hospital’s clinic each year.
To help raise money for the Shriners Children, raffle tickets will be on sale during the tournament. They will be $1 each, $5 for eight tickets, or $10 for 15 tickets. You do not need to be present to win.
Rowe Auburn is providing a little fun for all athletes, families and spectators of all ages to buy a raffle and if your name is selected you have a change to “shoot to win” $500 and a $50 gift certificate from the Quick Lane Tire & Service at either location in Westbrook or Auburn. If you lose, you can still win the $50 gift certificate. So it’s all for fun and raising money for the hospital. Raffles will be offered for $1 per ticket, $5 for eight tickets and $10 for 15 tickets to “shoot to win.” You must be present to win this raffle.
It’s not all skate and no play; each evening during the tournament one of our sponsors will host a party. Kicking off the welcome party Thursday evening is the Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn starting at 7 p.m.
Gritty’s Pub of Lewiston will host Friday’s party after the games starting at 6 p.m. and Pedro O’Hara’s will be hosting the final party Saturday at 6 p.m.
For more information about the IFPMWG and team schedules, visit their website at www.ifpwg.com.