Auction for a cause
Published 7:01 am Sunday, February 12, 2017
- Ryan Vossler bids on a jersey during the jersey auction Friday night in Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Friday night found Riverside Arena with pink ice, a pink-clad crowd and a red-hot Austin Bruins team.
The Bruins (19-19-2-3 overall) rode two goals by Jack Murphy, who was just traded to the team, and a hat trick by Justin Misiak to a 6-2 win over the Coulee Region Chill (17-21-2 overall) in the annual Paint the Rink Pink fundraising game.
“It was great,” said Michael Keeley, director of broadcasting and public relations for the Bruins.
Charlie Spetz, from left, Toby Sengvongxay and Jack Murphy play musical chairs during the jersey auction Friday night at Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Like past years, the game was again was a sellout, but Keeley thought there were even a few more people at the game than in recent years.
He was also pleased the Bruins pulled out a win on Paint the Rink night after losing 4-3 to the Chill last year.
As the Bruin’s announcer, Keeley said his favorite moment of the night came with Murphy’s goal to start the scoring in his first game with his new team, which helped set the tone for the game.
But the big focus was on raising money for breast cancer fundraiser Paint the Town Pink.
“What makes it special is the atmosphere; [the] pink iced look great,” Keeley said, adding that it’s alway great to see the many fans wearing pink at the game.
After the game, the team auctioned off its pink jerseys, which Keeley said sold for an average of $700 to $800 with a few going for over $1,000.
The team also auctioned off several memorabilia items from pasts Bruins players.
“It was just a great night overall,” Keeley said.
Fundraising totals from Paint the Rink Pink should be released next week.
