News

Dover Eagles play in charity game to benefit COPS

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class William Johnson
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
HARRINGTON, Del. --  The Dover Eagles and the Fraternal Order of Police hockey teams battled it out on the ice to raise money for wounded Delaware police officers, sheriff deputies and state police officers Jan. 26, 2014, at the Centre Ice Rink in Harrington, Del.

The game was organized when Mike Roth, the center for the Eagles, approached Matthew Lothrop, Eagles player-coach, about playing in a charity game against the FOP since they already had an active team in the Harrington's men's league. The FOP team was honored to play in the game and with Roth being a member of the 436th Security Force Squadron and the FOP team being made up of police officers, they decided to make the game benefit the charity Concerns of Police Survivors.

The event raised $1,130 for wounded police officers and their families as the Dover Eagles and the FOP tied 9-9 in a dramatic last-second finish.

Roth said he was grateful to play in this game and wanted to thank the FOP team for making the game possible.

"I took the game personal because I'm a security forces member and I take the COPS charity to heart," said Roth. "Anytime we can come out and have fun on the ice and raise money for a great charity like COPS is a good day to me."

The game opened up with a mishap for the Eagles, as the FOP scored a goal when the puck deflected off the skate of an Eagles player giving the FOP an early 1-0 lead. The Eagles would strike back with a quick goal from John Dowgos, Dover Eagles defenseman, to tie the game up.

The first two periods of the game were fast paced and both teams were taking plenty of shooting opportunities. The two teams took a total of 31 combined shots and the FOP led the Eagles 6-4 at the end of the second period.

All looked lost at the beginning of the third period for the Eagles as the FOP came out quickly scoring two goals to take what looked like a commanding 8-4 lead. However, the Eagles rallied back to get four straight goals in less than 10 minutes to tie the game at 8-8.

After FOP player Jeff Desarlrick scored a goal with 35 seconds left making the score 9-8, Roth scored the game-tying goal for the Eagles off an assist by David Kokoszka with 2.3 seconds left, making the final score 9-9.

Matthew McKenzie, FOP goalie, said it was great to play in a game like this where they could raise money and give back to the community. He also said the turnout was better than expected and the fans really motivated the players.

"It was a hard fought game and both teams had some impressive goals tonight," said McKenzie. "The Dover team kept pressing on offense and was able to take it down to the wire."

Lothrop said he was happy with the effort put forth by everyone and was glad they were able to raise money for a great cause.

"This was the first time the team had been on the ice since our University of Delaware game last year," said Lothrop. "Team Dover and the FOP are already looking forward to next year's event which we all hope continues to expand and grow just as our program has."

The Dover Eagles have two upcoming coming charity events, the University of Delaware game in March benefiting the Fisher House and a charity game against the Philadelphia Flyers Alumni team. The beneficiary of that game will be revealed the night of the event.