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February 18, 2007
In a game played for charity, it is only natural for anyone not directly involved with the teams to say that 'everyone wins.' We would like to say there were no losers in the 2nd annual Battle of the Badges hockey game held Sunday at the Sovereign Center, but while we're still brimming with pride for our team's 4 - 2 victory, it's hard to do. After all, for months prior to the game, so many people had the Police winning and after last year's tie in the hockey game and the Firefighter's victory in the Battle of the Badges Softball game at First Energy Stadium in April of 2006, it's only natural that so many were looking for a Police triumph. Both teams wanted to win this one and each agreed that they would not settle for another tie like they had to last year.
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2007 Reading Fire team |
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2007 Reading Police team |
The Police team came on the ice strong and quickly scored the game's first goal near the start of the period. The Firefighters charged back and by the end of the period, Firefighter Stu Bansner scored the first of his three goals to tie the score going into the intermission. Bansner's two other goals in the second reassured Firefighters that a win was defiantly in their grasp.
Reading's Finest came back in the third by scoring another goal and closed in on the Firefighter lead. With plenty of time left in the game, some fans were probably thinking about another shootout to decide the game, which was reminiscent of the first game last year the ended in a three all tie. The Police didn't come back though, in fact, the score was extended further by another goal scored by Firefighter Andrew Kutz.
After the final buzzer, the players shook hands and lined up for the closing ceremonies. The Coaches for the teams, Fire Chief William Rehr and Assistant Chief of Police Charles Broad, were joined by Reading Mayor Tom McMahon to help Reading Royals General Manager Gordon Kaye present the trophy to the Firefighters. Gordon Kaye then presented a check for $10,000.00 to the Berks County Community Foundation, which oversees the Battle of the Badges Scholarship Fund in honor fallen Reading police Officers Michael H. Wise II and Scott A. Wertz. Representatives of the game sponsor, the United States Army, were also on hand for the ceremony. Goalie Fire Marshal Todd Iaeger was acknowledged as the Go Army Defender of the Game.
The Royals donated $100 for each goal scored, as well as a portion of each ticket sold and The Reading Parking Authority donated a portion of parking fees collected for the game. Members of the Fire Team along with Readingpafire pooled funds and collected $1000.00 to give to the fund. The Police also collected for the fund.
Scoring:
1st Period PD goal by Dougherty assisted by Taveras @ 3:35
FD goal by Bansner assisted by Kutz @ 4:05
2nd Period FD goal by Bansner assisted by Hoyer @ 6:17
FD goal by Bansner unassisted @ 8:05
3rd Period PD goal by Lillis assisted by Bean & Labella @ 5:11
FD goal by Kutz assisted by Marks & Witman @ 9:45
Penalties PD- 0 for 2 FD- 0 for 2
Shots on Goal PD- 4-8-7=19 FD-14-7-14=35
Goalies- Driesbach- 35 shots-31 saves Iaeger- 19 shots-17 saves
the Estimated Attendance for the first game was 2220
We would like to thank all those who provided so much for this year's game, including the Royals and General Manager Gordon Kaye, the U. S. Army and all the other sponsors.