News

Cops unable to arrest the Eagles

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zachary Cacicia
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
HARRINGTON, Del. --  The Dover Eagles took on the Fraternal Order of Police in a thrilling on ice match up, successfully raising money for charity while also building camaraderie during a scrimmage hockey game Jan. 25, 2015, at the Centre Ice Rink in Harrington, Delaware.

This event raised $1,400 for the charity, COPS (Concerns of Police Survivors). COPS provides resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of surviving families and affected co-workers of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. They also provide training to law enforcement agencies on survivor victimization issues and educating the public of the need to support the law enforcement profession and its survivors.

Chief Master Sgt. Stanley Cadell, 436th Airlift Wing command chief, attended the game to show the Wing leadership's support for the Airmen participating.

"What a great opportunity to come out," said Cadell. "Not only to have fun playing a little hockey, but it's a great team-building event for all of those who participated."

The Dover Eagles hockey team is made up of active duty and Reservist Airmen and their dependents from Dover AFB.

"We're out here to have fun, it's not about trying to be the best," said Rumsey Lewis, Eagles right wing. "We're just trying to get some goals and put a smile on everyone's face."

The first period started with an early FOP two-goal lead. But this soon changed as the forwards Joseph Beard and Mike Roth each scored a pair of goals, giving the Eagles a 4-2 lead to end the period.

The Eagles' goal scoring presence continued into the second period as d-man, Brandon Hebert sank one past FOP goalie, Matt McKenzie.

After the game, Hebert, who has been playing with the Eagles for the past two years, said that it is always fun to play the game.

"When you're a kid, you grow up playing the game and it's fun," said Hebert. "As you get older, it gets more competitive. This gave us a chance to go back and play a fun game again, helping us remember why we fell in love with it in the first place."

But the highlight of the night came at the 1:49 mark in the second period, as Roth added to his already two goals with a third, giving him a hat trick.

The second period ended with a FOP goal, but the Eagles maintained a 6-3 lead.

The third period was a bit frustrating for the Eagles, as FOP pushed back. Though Matthew Lothrop, Eagles captain, managed to rocket a puck past McKenzie at the start of the period, this would be the seventh and final goal for the Eagles.

The Eagles allowed back-to-back goals midway through the third, but managed to hold off the FOP offense's push to end the period and the game.

The third period ended with a final score of 7-5 in favor of the Eagles. In the end, point tallies for the Eagles included Roth with 3 goals and 2 assists, Beard with 2 goals and 3 assists, Hebert with 1 goal and Lothrop with 1 goal.

Kyle Gaylord, Eagles defenseman, did his part in holding off the FOP offense.

"The other team had a good game," said Gaylord. "But we played a little bit better."

McKenzie allowed 7 goals on only 39 shots, giving him a .769 save percentage and the Eagles explosive offense was just too much to handle.  

David Gist, local FOP president and defenseman, had nothing but praise for the game and the Eagles.

"Anytime you get together and have a charity game, it's a good thing," said Gist. "We were a little outmatched today, good fun game, a clean game; we'll get them next year."

The Eagles goalies, Jeff Kach and Josh Palakanis shared time between the pipes and fared better than McKenzie. Kach was able to make 19 saves on 21 shots. Palakanis took over for Kach half way through the second period. He managed to make 26 saves on 29 shots on goal.

For additional information on COPS, visit their website at www.nationalcops.org.