Avalanche breaks the ice at Academy

  • Published
  • By Wayne Amann
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) --  More than 3,000 hockey fans shoehorned into the 2,502-seat Cadet Ice Arena to watch the National Hockey League's Colorado Avalanche skate in their 8th annual Burgundy and White intra-squad scrimmage Sept. 16 at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
 
It marked the first time a professional hockey team played at the 39-year-old venue.

Proceeds from the game will benefit Colorado military families, youth hockey programs and charitable organizations throughout the state. 

The event sold out within 48 hours of the tickets going on sale at the Academy ticket office. The raucous crowd at the Cadet Ice Arena made for a memorable environment. 

"I've been very impressed," said Avs head coach Joel Quenneville. "It's a great venue. Everything here is first class. The Academy has been a great host. The day has been a perfect success for us as a group." 

"You can feel the atmosphere in this building," said Avalanche captain and 13-time NHL All-Star Joe Sakic. He has 610 goals, which is tied for 14th all-time. 

"The dressing rooms are great. We loved the support here," he said. "The facility is ideal for the Burgundy and White game. It's not too far away. It took only 45 minutes to get here so it's perfect. It really is a home away from home." 

"This got a lot of people in our building for the first time," said Air Force hockey head coach Frank Serratore. "They saw some of the history and tradition hanging on our walls. We're coming off the best season in our team's history (19-16-5 and its first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament). Hopefully, we picked up a few fans that come back to watch the Falcons play." 

The Burgundy team edged the White squad, 8-7. 

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