K-State vs. Mizzou Charity Game plus Mission Hockey College and Free Skate
At 3:00pm on a hot sunny Sunday, the Border Battle between Kansas State and University of Missouri began.
Mizzou jumped out to an early 2-goal lead. Late in the first period, K-State managed to tie the score at 2. The second period began with a quick goal by K-State to take a 1-goal lead, but that was short lived. Mizzou came alive and scored 5 goals in about 5 minutes. K-State managed to get one back late in the second, but Mizzou answered with 2 very quick goals in the last minute of the period.
The third period was all Mizzou as they pumped in 5 more goals, leading to a 14-4 victory for the University of Missouri. Shots on goal were Mizzou 34, K-State 22.
After the game, both teams exchanged handshakes at center ice. Jennifer Smith, President of the Autism Society – the Heartland, came to center ice and thanked both teams and the rink for a great fundraiser. She presented each coach with a gift of a puzzle, as that is a symbol for autism, and thanked them again for a good job and a successful fundraiser. We are all looking forward to next year when we will continue the battle.
The game was preceded by a Mission Hockey College free youth clinic and a free skate for Autistic children and their families. About 30 youth players ages
10 through 16 attended the Mission Hockey College. 8 of the K-State players gave them a fun workout for an hour.
Each participant received a t-shirt, ear buds (both donated by Mission) and some K-State items donated by the College of Agriculture. Parents
and players seemed very pleased.
The Mission Hockey College was followed by a one hour open
skate. A couple of the Autistic children and their families came onto the floor
and the K-State team worked with them, passing the puck back and forth and
shooting on the goalie.
The autism society collected a $5.00 entry fee and held a
raffle for donated items, including autographed K-State and University of Missouri jerseys, along with various other items donated by GTM
Sportswear and others. Through the entry
fee, the raffle and some generous cash donations, notably $200 from the GPCIHL,
the Autism Society – the Heartland raised over $700 to advance their
programs for the autistic families.
Both teams left the Kansas City area with new fans and
friends. It was a very good day to be a part of collegiate inline hockey.
