Congratulations to the Pigs on another winThis annual event raises money to help people who lost their homes in a fire. The fund covers hotel costs, groceries, and helps people get back on their feet. Starting 37 year ago this yearly tradition now brings between 2,500 and 3,00 people every year to raise approximately $15,000 and $20,000 for the fund.
Holding with tradition, the night began with the introduction of each player and the coaches. The crowd also got an introduction to the U6 Police Cadets as the NMU ROTC Color Guard moved onto the ice to present the colors. Superior Pipes and Drums played ‘Amazing Grace’ before the Sandy Knoll Music Class led everyone in the National Anthem. Marquette Fire Department Lt. Kurt Hillier and Captain Jeff Green met at center ice for the ceremonial face-off with Marquette City Fire Chief Ian Davis dropping the puck. During the opening ceremony the award for Law Enforcement Office of the Year went to Craig Grahovac with Dave Gallion receiving Firefighter of the Year.
It wasn’t long after the first period began that the Pigs put a puck in the neat. Around 17:22 on the clock, they scored making the score board to 1-0 in the Pigs’ favor. As the game continued the Heat put themselves on the board, but the Pigs immediately followed up with a return goal moving things to 2-1. With just one minute left in the first period, the Heat stuck another one in the neat to tie it up at 2-2 as the clock ran out.
The second period continued as a hard fought and close game. A third goal for the Pigs went up on the board with about 12 minutes left in the second period. Tying the game up again, the Heat returned with a shot on net, sneaking one past Pig’s goalie Mike Roth to bring things to 3-3.
Holding out the shots on netBreaking in between the second and third periods, it was time for everyone’s favorite game of the evening, Chuck-A-Puck! All at once, hundreds of pucks were launched onto the ice from around the arena, with one goal, getting the puck as close to center ice as possible. The owner of the winning pick receives $500 plus half of the total puck sales! Mark and Walt also took the break as a chance to announce the winners of the raffle prices including $1,000 from Eagle Mine, $500 from Honor Credit Union,$250 from Skandia WB FD, some Pet Carriers, Gift Certificates, and more.
After the Zamboni resurfaced the ice, we picked things up for the final period of the night. Five minutes, the Pigs scored raising the game to 4-3. That goal lite a fire under neath the law enforcement team as they sunk another two goals in a row, leaving it 6-4 with 8 minutes left in the 3rd. The Heat took the puck across the ice to land another one in the net making it 6-4. During the last two minutes of the game, the Heat’s goalie left the net to out another player on the ice. Unforunately this left he net open for the Pigs to score the final goal of the night, bringing the game to 7-4, with the Pigs taking the win once again.
Thank you to all the participating departments
Playing for the Pigs: The Marquette Police Department, Michigan State Police, Marquette Branch Prison, Marquette County Sheriff Department, Ishpeming Police Department, Northern Michigan University Public Safety, and the Negaunee Police Department.
Playing for the Heat: The Marquette City Fire Department, Marquette Township Fire Department, Skandia West Branch Fire Department, Jeff Sims Fire Department, Negaunee City Fire Department, Ishpeming City Fire Department, Ishpeming Township Fire Department, the Department of Natural Resources and Jeremy Wright from Parts Unknown.
If you didn’t make it out and want to donate, or just want to give even more, visit the Pigs-N-heat website to donate to the fund. You can also follow their Pigs-N-Heat Fire Relief Fund Facebook Page for the most recent news and updates.
Big thanks to all the 2020 Sponsors who helped make this event possible for 37 years and counting.
