The pink ice is back; The event that started it all returns to Riverside Arena
Published 10:21 am Friday, February 5, 2016
Sue Stowell clenches her teeth as she bids for Landen Letwin’s jersey during the jersey auction at last year’s Paint the Rink Pink at Riverside Arena. Stowell won the jersey. Herald file photos
The Austin Bruins are set for a big weekend with the sixth annual Paint the Rink Pink as they host the Coulee Region Chill at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at Riverside Arena.
The Bruins have raised more than $150,000 for The Hormel Institute over the past five years and the team is looking to have another successful night this weekend as they will host the usual jersey auction and have players perform individual skits or songs after the game.
This year’s game has special significance for Bruins co-owner Craig Patrick, who lost his sister to cancer last year.
“It’s a tough night for me,” Patrick said. “This is why we do it and everybody connects to it. We’ve all had this problem and it’s great that we feel we can do something to help the Hormel Foundation.”
Ian Scheid steps up to have his jersey auctioned during last year’s jersey auction in Riverside Arena. Herald file photo
Since the Bruins have a first year head coach in Kyle Grabowski and a lot of first year players, it will be a new experience for much of the squad. Grabowski said he’s very familiar with Paint the Rink Pink is all about though, and he’s excited to be a part of it.
“It’s going to be a great event for the town. We’ll raise a lot of money,” he said. “The kids have been prepping for it all week and we’re all looking forward to it.”
The Bruins may don their pink jerseys during Friday’s game against Brookings, but the ice won’t be painted pink until Saturday morning for the Coulee Region game.
Patrick said the fact that Paint the Rink Pink has stayed successful for the past few years is a testament to how supportive the community is.
The Austin Bruins Jade Miller goes airborne after taking a shot on goal in the second period against the Minnesota Magicians during last year’s Paint the Rink Pink.
“It’s just something that makes me so proud to be involved with,” Patrick said. “It’s expanding. It’s not just our hockey game, it’s the community events and it feels good to have gotten everything going in 2010. It keeps getting bigger and bigger. To me it means everything. The reason the Bruins are here is because of the community pride and the sense of caring people have for each other. People might have their differences throughout the year, but they come together for the town and we appreciate everyone.”
As a team, the Bruins are looking to get back on track after having lost four straight games. The Bruins are now in third place in the NAHL Central as they trail second place Minot by four points and first place Bismarck by six points.
“We’ve played really well and we’ve had a ton of scoring chances,” Grabowksi said. “We need to focus on finishing at the net. It’s hard to be frustrated when you’re dominating possession and shots at the net.”
