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Article published February 24, 2010
Mars hockey heads outdoors for good cause
PINE TWP — The Mars hockey team played center stage last month — but they were downplaying their roles for the greater cause. Taking part in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League's third annual Outdoor Charity Series Jan. 29 against Quaker Valley, the proceeds of the game benefitted the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. That included playing in pink jerseys and holding a fundraiser that brought in more than $2,000. The Planets won the game 7-0 at the North Park Ice Rink, but they came away with so much more. "The ice was great, the atmosphere was great and it was a good event, especially to support breast cancer research," said Mars junior goalie Tyler Stepke. "This is a good group of kids and they knew what this was all about," Mars coach Steve Meyers said. "I was pleased how well they looked with the jerseys. They wanted to raise awareness. "When people looked at the kids, they saw more than hockey players," Meyers added. "All of us know loved ones who have suffered from breast cancer," said Mike Mazzotta. "It's a great cause. We all thought it would be a great idea to play." The idea behind the outdoor charity series came following the NHL's inaugural Outdoor Classic three years ago, when the Pittsburgh Penguins played the Buffalo Sabres at Ralph Wilson Stadium on New Year's Day. "Two gentlemen, (Bethel Park coach) Jim McVay and (Mount Lebanon coach) Paul Taibi came up with the idea," said PIHL commissioner Ed Sam. "Jim said, 'Hey, why can't we do this?' "Both had diabetes which is why the first game between them benefited juvenile diabetes," Sam added. Last season, the series was expanded to three games, one at the North Park rink and two at South Park. This year there were five. Along with Mars vs. Quaker Valley, Pine-Richland played North Allegheny and Shaler played Central Catholic. Two other games followed earlier this month. Three charities will benefit from the games. The Paul Sciullo Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation are the others. Sciullo was one of three Pittsburgh police officers who was shot to death responding to a domestic call last April. Sciullo had played hockey for Central Catholic. The Pine-Richland vs. North Allegheny game couldn't have turned out any better as the event drew more than 1,000 people. "We had all the television stations, all the newspapers, radio," Sam said. "It was a fantastic event. The coverage was amazing. "With the help of (Allegheny County) and the Pittsburgh Penguins, it makes it all very, very good," Sam added. Mars Hockey Association President Karen Whiteford wanted to incorporate as much of the school community as possible for this endeavor. "We tried to involve the school as much as we could," said the Mars resident. "The band had a pep rally for the boys for the last period (of the school day), the art department, yearbook. ... "Todd Kolson, the principal, was going to be here. ... We wanted this to be a school event,' she added. Whiteford's son, Tyler, a senior on the team, said it was his mother's idea to wear the pink jerseys. "Everyone was a little skeptical about it," said Tyler, "but once we all realized what it was for, we really liked it." "(The players) had pink tape, pink socks, pink jerseys and they were selling T-shirts." said Greg Miller of Adams Township. "The Mars organization did a great job." "It was neat for everyone to come together to support breast cancer awareness and the kids really enjoyed participating in this," said Keith Thomas, a board member of the Mars Hockey Association. "Mike Rupp of the Penguins is here, too, (to drop the ceremonial first puck)." Tyler Whiteford had heard plenty of good things from those who had played in the outdoor games. "We wanted to play in it," said Tyler. "That's all I've thought about all year." About that game, the Planets players felt privileged to have taken part. "It was pretty crazy being outside," said Tyler. "It reminded me of playing with friends outdoors on the lake." "It was really cold," said Mazzotta. "We were all suffering the same thing, but that's what hockey's all about. It's like pond hockey, it's so big. The length is the same but it's a lot wider." Stepke and Walker Enstad combined to record the shutout, but it wasn't very easy. "The puck's a lot harder to pick up," Stepke noted. "The guys were shooting floaters for me to pick up to prepare for the game." Mars practiced on the ice the previous two Saturdays, but Stepke was playing for his Pittsburgh Vipers club team and missed both sessions. "Walker was not here for one and Stepke, well, he's a good goalie," Meyers said. "It took a little while to get used to it. They knew what to expect. "It was unique. The puck was real hard and the ice real fast. But after about three or four minutes, you adjust," Meyers added. With the success of the outdoor charity series, Sam has received nothing but an outpouring of support. "Next year, we'll have four games, two nights with doubleheaders, which is a challenge in itself," Sam said. "We'll make it work. The players and coaches make it happen."
