Lightning set to host second Badges Versus Bolts game

By Lethbridge Herald on January 27, 2023.

Herald File Photo Lethbridge Lightning captain Cole Matson and Badges captain Devery Edmonds, Deborah Edmonds's son, take the ceremonial puck drop from Kim Edmonds, Bronwyn Edmonds - the daughter and grand daughter of Deborah, respectively, and mayor Blaine Hyggen, at the inaugural Badges Versus Bolts Charity Hockey Challenge Saturday night at Nicholas Sheran Arena in this January 2022 File Photo.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Lightning Senior AA Hockey Club are set to host the second annual Badges Versus Bolts Charity Hockey Challenge in a couple weeks’ time.

The charity game between first responders, community members and Lightning players will see 20 per cent of the ticket proceeds go back to the Jack Ady Cancer Centre, a live auction will be held in the first intermission and a player auction during the second and third periods.

“The main cause is to raise money for the cancer centre here in the city,” said Dawson Brolund, Lightning team manager.

“And what it does too is it brings a connection to our organization and really to the public with the City of Lethbridge.”

Brolund said it’s lots of fun too.

“The biggest thing is getting a lot of people out,” he said.

“And then if you get the people invested, then you can bid on players. It’s a cash amount of whatever you choose essentially.”

Brolund thinks the game is massive for the organization.

“Gate revenue is something that is beyond important — especially to a team like ours,” he said.

“Like getting a foothold in this community has not been easy. We’re probably averaging around 150 to 200 fans on a good night. And really with a city, I mean depending on the time year, (with) 105,000 to 110,000 people, you know you’d hope that we could really increase the number of people coming to watch because really it’s a great brand of hockey.”

Brolund said nobody is taking it too seriously.

“I mean you have a lot of odd man rushes and that sort of thing,” said Brolund.

“Maybe some intentionally lazy defensive plays. But overall it’s good entertainment. I mean it’s a good social event for everyone. It’s a full game of hockey but obviously the twist is that you can have trades during the game and then obviously the auction in the intermission. Really, it’s a lot of fun.”

Lightning goalie Alex Sirard has been with the team since its inception into the Ranchland Hockey League in 2017 and will be suiting up in his second Badges versus Bolts game.

“This game does mean a lot to a lot of us,” said Sirard.

“So beyond the fundraising part, we do have a lot of police officers on our team … and a few firefighters as well. So for us, first of all, to just have that game against the Badges is a pretty cool event because most of these guys work with them, they all partner up, and it’s just a fun thing to do between us. But the fundraising for the Jack Ady Cancer is a big thing because everybody at some point was or has been touched by cancer.”

On top of the 20 per cent of ticket sales going to the cancer centres, funds will also go to paying for the facility and back into the hockey team.

Tickets are on sale at Lethbridge Tactical Supply, by calling (403) 647-4103 and at the gate.

The Badges versus Bolts Charity Challenge  is on Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Nicholas Sheran Arena.

Last year’s event raised over $1,200 for the cancer centre at Chinook Regional Hospital.