Iris Mortgage Stunned in Overtime at Inaugural Champagne Showcase Benefitting Clark Park Coalition, Detroit. Full Recap.

Champagne Showcase brings together community and local businesses with successful inaugural tournament and fundraiser for Clark Park Coalition.

Fans packed Clark Park Coalition’s southwest Detroit outdoor ice arena on Saturday 2.26.2022 to see a four team hockey tournament and participate in a family open skate. The fans kept warm with Tim Hortons coffee, hot chocolate, and bonfire roasted s’mores served up and tended by volunteer and local mortgage advisor Zach Schrode from Iris Mortgage. As the fans kept filing in they came hungry and supported local food vendors Los Dos Amigos taco truck and Diamond’s Dogs hot dog cart- an eastern market staple. Most of all, the players, fans, and small businesses gathered to raise money for Clark Parks youth programming, raising nearly $5,000 for the Clark Park Coalition.

Local businesses Iron Fish Distillery (Troy Anderson), Champagne Athletics (Frank Sorise), Bowline Financial (John Herbert) and Iris Mortgage (Chris & Katherine Thomas) assembled hockey teams to participate. CrossFire Group’s (Alex Rosenau) presented the CrossFire Cup trophy and local REALTORS Kaitlyn Pangrazzi and Grace Mulcahy of @properties DTW presented the “Key Player” MVP trophy. All businesses worked together to make the event possible and contributed significantly to the cause to raise money for Clark Park and have a successful event. Everyone was thankful for volunteer referees Rob Remelius and Billy Daudlin, scorekeeper Greg Posada, timekeeper Jim Bretz, and MC/host Zach Schrode to facilitate the event. Photographers Troy Anderson and Steve Stark of Infyer Productions provided professional photography for the event.

Fans keep warm with multiple bonfires, coffee, hot chocolate, and s’mores provided by Zach Schrode #77 (Iris Mortgage).

Semi-Final Game 1: Bowline Financial eliminates Iris Mortgage in low-scoring overtime thriller, 2-1.

A high scoring shootout was anticipated featuring powerful offenses on both sides - Bowline’s Brad Annas #22, Brian Gatliff #6, and Edmund Tropp #90 lead the offensive charge vs Iris Mortgage’s top line consisting of Cameron Gibson #23, Zak Thompson #13, and Scott Cooley #88. Unfortunately for them, future tournament MVP goaltender Jeff Ryan #33 (Bowline) and opposing Mark Pangrazzi #20 (Iris) limited the scoring to one goal a piece through regulation. Attendees were shocked by the acrobatics and leather glove flashing saves by both goalies. Bowline struck first with a goal from local dual sport athlete (hockey/softball) Brian Gatliff #6. Iris Mortgage evened the score with a much needed contribution from versatile offensive-defenseman David Clem #7. Iris Mortgage was unable to convert on two key powerplays - partly due to the Bowline defensive staff lead by Dylan Welke #5 - his chrome cage reflecting sunlight and striking fear into the Iris Mortgage offense.

John Herbert #92 (Bowline), Billy Daudlin (official), and Chris Thomas #11 (Iris) meet at center ice to start the event.

The game headed into overtime after a controversial tripping call on David Clem #7 (Iris) by volunteer referee tandem Billy Daudlin and Rob Remeilius with under 30 seconds remaining in regulation. Iris Mortgage started the overtime segment at a 4-on-3 disadvantage, hoping to survive short handed play. Bowline financial found twine before the penalty expired and secured their place in the championship game. Team captains and local financial experts John Herbert #92 (Bowline) and Chris Thomas #11 (Iris) were extremely proud of how their teams played. The event started with a ceremonial puck drop and handshake and ended the same way. Each team congratulated each other as the puck seemingly could have bounced either way and it was a game well played start to finish. At this point, the fans new they were in for more fun.

Brian Gatliff #6 and Nick Cinq #10 (Bowline) celebrate the first goal as disgruntled Matt Rajt #21 and David Clem #7 (Iris) look on.

Semi-Final Game 2: Iron Fish Distillery’s strong start outlasts Champagne Athletics late push, 4-3.

Iron Fish Distillery was lead by their goaltender and team captain Troy Anderson. Spectators noticed that their roster was dwindled but were shocked as one by one they accrued a 4 goal lead over Champagne Athletics. They brought a tenacity and grittiness on offense, lead by a young 18-year-old home-grown Clark Park Alumni and Southwest Detroit product phenom, going by the name of Sergio Broughton. He was the youngest participant, once coached by Anderson, now converted to playing under his thoughtfully pieced roster.

Iron Fish Distillery starts the second period with a two goal advantage over Champagne Athletics.

Champagne Athletics team captain Frank Sorise donned a Detroit favorite #19 and made some much needed adjustments to spark his team. During the second intermission Jack Sklarski #26 and Drew Amato #13 both confirmed Sorise speech was responsible for the late rally. Sorise was able to slip one past Marquette’s own Anderson, disregarding several pre-game warnings to avoid his crease at all costs.

As ice conditioned worsened more than usual due to the outdoor ice surface, it was an all to familiar “too little, too late” scenario as the Champagne Athletics bubbly hopes were turned flat by Iron Fish Distillery. After fans witnessed the comeback effort they were even more enticed to stay for the championship game.

Frank Sorise #19 (Champagne Athletics) and Troy Anderson #29 (Iron Fish Distillery) shake hands after a well played game.

Fans take the ice and experienced the thrill of skating on the same surface as their loved ones.

With the Ambassador Bridge serving as a backdrop, the fans who filled the stands were able to bring or borrow Clark Park ice skates in order to exercise and enjoy Detroit’s only outdoor ice rink. Rink manager Anthony Benavides loved the turn out and energy that was brought by friends, family, coworkers, and community members to the venue. He was grateful that everyone had fun and was left with a big smile and some extra firewood, beverages, and s’mores for future events. Beginning skaters Haleigh Josephson and Lauren Teed (Iris Mortgage supporters) enjoyed photo opportunities and sharpened their skills. Former Grosse Pointe Hockey Association Coaches and Windsor, ON CJAM 99.1 radio host David Thomas took the ice with his grandson Nolan and sons Paul Thomas #14 (Plum Health DPC) and Chris Thomas #11 (Iris Mortgage). He was able to watch them play together on the same team for the first time and said it was something he would never forget. Notably, four-legged fan and social media star Rigatoni Sklarski (Champagne Athletics) was tightly leashed by caretaker Kathy and closely watched the open skate and enjoyed the day of events.

Championship Game: Bowline Financial knots inaugural Champagne Showcase, overwhelming Iron Fish Distillery 6-3.

The championship game required both teams to dig deep after winning prior games by a narrow one goal margin. Bowline Financial was able to pepper Iron Fish with enough shots, shots turned into goals, and the goals sealed their destiny as champions. An empty net tally made the game 6-3 securing victory for Bowline Financial. After a hard day of work, the only thing left to do for Bowline was watch time expire and put on their best smiles for a team photo.

Bowline Financial all smiles as they are crowned champions of Clark Park for the day.

John Herbert tasted champagne from the CrossFire Cup and skated by glass-banging Bowline fans carrying the CrossFire Cup. REALTORS Kaitlyn Pangrazzi and Grace Mulcahy of @properties DTW presented the “Key Player” MVP trophy to Jeff Ryan #33 (Bowline) for his outstanding play in between the pipes maintaining a 2 GAA on the day, impressive compared to the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs 17 goal game later in the evening. The team took a winning photograph as the champions earned their crown and the event concluded.

Alex Roseneau #72 (Iris), President of CrossFire Group presents the CrossFire Cup to Bowline Financial team captain John Herbert #92, concluding the inaugural Champagne Showcase champion.

Jeff Ryan #33 (Bowline) earned tournament “Key Player” award presented by REALTORS Kaitlyn Pangrazzi and Grace Mulcahy of @properties to the most valuable player.

Funds were raised for Clark Park, local businesses gave all, the community embraced the first of many Champagne Showcases at Clark Park, Detroit.

Additional donations can be made digitally via PayPal here: https://clarkparkdetroit.com/donate/ or made out to “Clark Park Coalition” and mailed to Clark Park Coalition, 1130 Clark Street, Detroit, MI 48209. Memo line reading “Champagne Showcase” appreciated to sum donations accrued by the event hosts.