If your notion of the UNM Lobo hockey membership changed into teaming collectively with the Albuquerque Police and Fire Departments — you weren’t alone.
Several Facebook feedback appeared to signify enthusiasts were under an equal impact. However, that wasn’t the case.
UNM head hockey instruct Grant Harvey said he and his group have not been asked to participate but stated he wanted the organizers nicely of their attempt to raise the budget.
“I hope it became a fruitful enterprise and raised a variety of cash for a perfect cause,” Harvey stated.
According to a press launch, charity recreation becomes prepared through the Law Enforcement Torch-run network policing application to assist Special Olympics New Mexico.
“We received’t just be looking a nearby charity hockey sport, but be part of a collective revel in that guarantees the pleasure of game to over 3,500 Special Olympics athletes and their households,” LETR operations director Oscar Solis stated inside the release.
Although UNM hockey was now not concerned in the game, one Lobo participant, James Bostian, did manipulate to make it out onto the ice.
Bostian plays goalie for the UNM Lobos but has additionally been a firefighter for the country forestry of New Mexico and holds an intermediate EMT license. So it appeared fitting that he could assist guard the internet for the first responders.
The goalie explained the New Mexico All-Stars had been no longer constructed from UNM Lobo hockey gamers and alumni; instead, they were individuals from the adult league over at Outpost Ice Arena.
He initially stated the notion the Lobos have been alleged to play in the charity recreation. However, he wasn’t sure if things modified along the way or if something fell via. He said to his expertise he changed into the only ex-Lobo on both squads Sunday afternoon.
Bostian said he could have loved to get the Lobo hockey crew worried and thinks it might be a real amusing event, adding it’s been some weeks for the reason that group has been on the ice collectively, and they might welcome the idea.
Players pay the price to compete in the sport, tickets were $10 for adults and $5 for kids to wait for the event. There were numerous prizes raffled off to boost the budget for the Special Olympics, which Bostian said he understood goes for individuals to compete regionally and past if they’re capable of qualifying and advancing.
He stated he wasn’t sure about numbers concerning attendance or how much cash became raised from the charity sport and raffles. However, it appeared to him to be a success.
“The car parking zone turned into packed after I pulled up,” he said. “It looked like a Lobo recreation. It was truly a very good turnout.”
He stated several former New Mexico Scorpion gamers, consisting of Brian Barnes, competed in the game and turned into fortunate enough to be on the triumphing aspect of an eleven-three affair that went in prefer of the Albuquerque Public Safety/First Responder’s Team.
“I split it and got the second 1/2 of the sport. “I permit in one intention today.”
Although the UNM hockey club wasn’t part of this activity, Harvey stated his crew would be persevering to volunteer at the UNM Children’s Hospital and resume its partnership with the Wildlife Refuge of New Mexico.
That appeared to be something Bostian became looking ahead to.
Bostian and his full-size other these days became mother and father, welcoming an infant woman into the sector. He stated that charitable endeavors, along with Sundays and the approaching work he and the crew plan to do on the UNM Children’s Hospital keep even more important. He stated he was given to see the impact fitness care professionals will have first hand after his daughter spent a week within the new child in-depth care unit after her start.
He stated he isn’t sure how an awful lot of time if any, he will commit to the team next season. He said he’s hopeful he can return. However, his primary focus is on the fitness of his daughter and helping her. Either way, Bostian reported he would devote time to the numerous philanthropic sports UNM hockey engages in — particularly the children’s medical institution.
Bostian said it’s miles invariably sincerely fun to move there and call out bingo games and have interaction with the kids there. The crew has introduced Lobo hockey tools and signed pucks to offer away and optimistically placed a smile on a few faces in the past.
Robert Maler is the sports activities editor for the Daily Lobo. He ordinarily covers basketball and baseball and contributes content for numerous other sports activities as correctly. He may be contacted at sports@dailylobo.Com or on Twitter @Robert_Maler.