Page 47 - December 2015

n BY NICK SWEDBERG
n PHOTOS BY JAMES PINTO
Bernie Domagala was rolled to center ice inside Chicago’s McFetridge Ice Arena to drop the ceremonial puck before the Chicago Blackhawks and the Chicago Police Department hockey team, the Chicago Police Stars, faced off in a charity game benefit- ting the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation (CPMF).
The veteran police officer was left with traumatic brain injuries after he was shot in the line of duty 27 years ago. Domagala’s wife, Denise, said it all happened before the fund was established, but has felt supported ever since its inception.
“The memorial fund said, ‘You’re not alone in this anymore,’” Denise recalled. “They’ve helped us in so many ways since they’ve been developed that we would do anything or go anywhere to sup- port them.”
More than a dozen Blackhawks alumni faced off against the CPD team, wearing special one-time jerseys made for the game, in front of a crowd of hundreds of supporters. Members of the CPD Honor Guard led the crowd in the National Anthem; fans partici- pated in raffles for Blackhawks memorabilia and restaurant gift certificates throughout the event held in November.
The cops jumped out to an early lead, scoring in the first four minutes of play and held a 4-1 edge at the end of the first of two periods. The police never lost the lead, and beat the Blackhawks alumni 5-4.
Sitting inside the Blackhawks’ locker room, player-turned- broadcaster Troy Murray talked about the how the alumni tries to do good while playing the sport they love.
“Obviously, it’s a great cause, Murray explained. “The one thing our alumni believe in is giving back to the community. This is just another example of what we as former players who still live in the community can do to help out.”
Murray said they would like to see fundraising games against the Stars continue for years to come. Andy Napolitano, Vice-President of the Stars, is on board with making the game an annual event for the CPMF.
CPD meets Blackhawks alumni on the ice
CHICAGO LODGE 7 n DECEMBER 2015 47