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Rumble at Lasker Rink

On a beautiful and bright Spring Day, the 7th Annual Sled Hockey Game between the United Spinal Rangers and United Spinal Islanders took place at Lasker Rink in Central Park on March 30th. The sled hockey teams played a competitive game that will go down in the books.

New players participated in this year's match with Dan Santos and Chris Bacon for the New York Islanders, and Josh Pauls for the New York Rangers. While the newcomers played a great game, it was the veterans that were able to put the pucks in the net. The Rangers were first to strike in the 1st period with a goal from defenseman Chris Meigel. The Islander threatened in the first but were not on the scoreboard until Brian Genovese scored in the 2nd period. Goaltending was tough on both ends with each keeper facing up to 20 shots. In the middle of the 2nd, Chris Meigel beat defenseman Miro Legin at the blue line to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead. The Islanders fought tough controlling play for most of the third period and coming within two goals of the Rangers with Igor Hursky scoring with five minutes left on the clock. The Rangers held on and beat the Islanders 4-2.

Anthony Fitzgerald, Captain of the Islanders said "it was a well fought game and much closer than the 4-2 score". The teams will be facing off again in March 2009.

Most Valuable Player went to Rangers Defense man Chris Meigel.

Both teams would like to thank their sponsors, the referee's for graciously donating their time, New York City Parks for organizing the event, Lasker Rink for the ice time, all the Columbia University Physical Therapy Students for volunteering for the day and realizing their future job goes beyond their regular day to day duties and the Wheelchair Sports Federation.