The Fort Erie Meteors defeated the Hamilton Kilty B’s 6-3 Saturday night but the real winners were the Stoner family.
The Meteors are donating proceeds from the game to Fort Erie residents Brianna and Teddy Stoner, whose two-year-old son Macklin is battling Burkitt lymphoma leukaemia, a rare form of aggressive cancer.
The family attended the game, dropped the puck for the ceremonial face off and the team was able to meet Macklin.
“It was honestly one of the coolest nights I’ve been a part of,” Meteors associate coach Anthony Passero said. “I can’t really explain it. I was so proud of our group. To watch them and how into it they were and not forced to be doing it, was the coolest part.
“I can’t say enough about that dressing room and what those guys have going on in there. They definitely stepped up to the challenge.”
Passero said the final numbers are still be tabulated for the amount which will be donated.
“What we are at now is already more than I thought we were going to do,” Passero said.
About 1,200 fans attended the game which feature a jersey auction, puck toss and 50/50 draw which was won and donated back to the family by a Meteor alumni.
As well, the Kilty B’s donated to the cause while the Caledonia Corvairs matched the Meteors’ coaches who donated $10 for each save made.
“It goes to show what the night was about and how much more it was that just playing a hockey game. It was super cool. I can’t say enough good things about it,” Passero said.
Passero said the players took their part in the night super seriously.
“The game was everything we wanted. I think there were some nerves there for the guys. The room was pretty tense before. I think they realize what they were getting themselves into but they came out and did a job.”
Blake Hall paced the Mets with two goals while Caleb Bidgood, Zach Mizzi, Owen Penny and Rylan Masterson added singles.
Charlie Burns made 20 saves for the win.
Anthony Giacalone, Brady Wassink and Josh Sordo replied for the Kilty B’s.
