Community members, volunteers, local businesses, and fans contribute to Clark Park Coalition.

Fans basked in sunshine at Clark Park Coalition’s southwest Detroit outdoor ice rink on Saturday 03.04.2023 to enjoy a four team hockey tournament and participate in a fundraising event. The fans were kept warm with Tuguava coffee, hot chocolate, and bonfire-roasted s’mores. As the fans entered, they were greeted by local food vendors 313 Curbside Eatery, Delectabowl, and Diamond’s Dogs, an Eastern Market staple. Raffle tables captured the attention of the crowd with unique offerings ranging from a Solo Stove (Joe Simancas @properties) to a vintage Red Wings jersey. Most importantly, the attendees raised $6,491 at time of publication for Clark Park’s youth programming and facilities - and they enjoyed a little bit of fun and hockey too!

Photos below courtesy of Scot Ferguson @scotferguson.

The people who made it possible.

Local businesses EXO Freight (Dylan Welke), Champagne Athletics (Frank Sorise), Bowline Financial (John Herbert) and Iris Mortgage (Chris & Katherine Thomas) assembled hockey teams to participate and the bulk of planning and media was carried by Sorise. Master of ceremonies Zach Schrode (Iris) kept the crowd entertained with music, raffle, on-ice interviews, and trophy presentations. Everyone was thankful for contributions from ticket and raffle sales by Kassidy Herbert and Sarah Sorise, referees, scorekeeper Greg Posada, timekeeper Jim Bretz, and MC Schrode to help facilitate the event. Photographers Scot Ferguson, Aaron Mucciante and Allison Pasque photographed the event.

All local businesses and volunteers worked together to make the event possible and contributed significantly to the cause to raise money for Clark Park and have a successful event. Rink manager Anthony Benavides and staff were happy to see a second event and were outstanding hosts and representatives of the park.

*Master of ceremonies and Chief Fun Officer Zach Schrode #77 (Iris Mortgage) entertains the crowd. Photos courtesy of Scot Ferguson* @scotferguson.

Semi-Final Game 1: Iris Mortgage keeps a cork on Champagne Athletics explosive offense, wins 3-0.

A high scoring shootout was anticipated featuring powerful offenses on both sides, but goaltending and defense lead to be the difference between Iris and Champagne. Due to poor ice conditions, the teams played an abbreviated match of two, ten minute periods. The mentality all along was “first goal wins” as clean scoring opportunities were hard to come by. As strange as it is to say in the context of hockey, the score at “halftime” was 0-0. Both goalies, CJ Schebil (Champagne) and Mark Pangrazzi (Iris #20) made pivotal saves to keep the teams level.

In the second half something had to give, Connor Schmidt (#74) broke the seal. Minutes later, a second goal from blue liner Dan Milan (#4) and an empty net goal by Schmidt sealed the victory for Iris. Pangrazzi earned the shutout under a mask-Pit Viper sunglasses combo that opponents were not accustomed to seeing indoors. The final result did not truly reflect how close the game was for the majority of the time, Iris Mortgage just happened to strike first with a critical goal in slushy conditions that rivaled the most treacherous of I-94 and I-75 commutes.

*Connor Schmidt #74 (Iris) celebrates after sealing the first game with an empty net goal in less than ideal conditions. Photos above and below courtesy of Scot Ferguson* @scotferguson.

Semi-Final Game 2: Bowline Financial cruises past EXO Freight, 4-0.

The defending champions Bowline Financial picked up where they left off against newcomers EXO Freight. EXO Freight’s slow start put them in hot water, but like Bowser in Mario Kart sometimes a slow start and steady build up can create momentum to win the race. Unfortunately, that momentum was never found and each of Bowline’s four goals had EXO Freight’s team screeching to a halt. EXO Freight had the highest jersey sales at the event as many fans donned the orange and blue colors with pride despite the early exit.

Billy Coole (Bowline #7) catches a break out pass through the neutral zone against EXO Freight. Photo courtesy of Scot Ferguson @scotferguson above.
Photos below courtesy of Aaron Mucciante.

Fans share their perspectives of the event.

With blue skies and the Ambassador Bridge serving as a backdrop, the fans who filled the stands enjoyed their afternoon and documented the atmosphere. Four-legged friends Hank the Bulldog, Tiki, Ranger, and Kai sniffed around for quality hockey but happily found food truck scraps and melted ice instead. Rink manager Benavides and staff 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 party supplies as well.

Championship Game: Iris Mortgage slips through Bowline Financial, unties the knot 2-1 as time dwindles.

A budding mortgage company and financial planning firm sounds like the perfect marriage, but knot this time around.

The ever-improving ice conditions made for a better playing surface for the championship game. Captains John Herbert (Bowline) and Chris Thomas (Iris) decided on two, fifteen minute periods to determine who would take home the trophy. The teams had history, Iris was wilted by Bowline 2-1 in an opening round overtime loss in 2022.

Last years MVP, goalie Jeff Ryan (Bowline) anchored the team with many saves, but so did Pangrazzi (Iris) as he held firm in-between the pipes. After several minutes of back-and-forth play and better than average puck possession for both teams, something had to give. Dave Clem (Iris #7) was able to cash in on a rebound and put one past Ryan to put Iris on the board. With both previous games being shutouts, some in attendance though that would be enough.

They were wrong. Bowline answered shortly after with a timely goal and found some rhythm too. There were three minutes left when Iris player/coach Thomas, who contributed little on the ice all day, made a call from the bench that changed the game. He restructured the lines to key in on Schmidt who had the hot hand that day and later cashed-in immediately to make the score 2-1. All that was left was to run out the clock, but it was no easy task for Iris. Bowline held possession in the Iris zone for the remaining minutes, which seemed like forever. The Iris team breathed a sigh of relief with two seconds left when the puck left play. The puck dropped one final time in the Iris zone and the buzzer sounded to end the game.

The Iris Mortgage team gathers for a photo before leaving Clark Park as champions for the day. (Top Row) Zach Schrode, Scott Dornbrock, Zak Thompson, Alex “Frank” Piku, David Clem, Danny Bailey, Scott Cooley, Ted Waddell, Art Griem, Connor Schmidt. (Bottom Row) Mark Pangrazzi, Paul Thomas, Chris Thomas, Brady Baetens, Dan Milan, Cam Gibson. Photos below courtesy of Scot Ferguson @scotferguson.

Frank Sorise, event organizer, team captain #19 (Champagne), thanks the attendees and presents the trophy to Iris Mortgage team captain Chris Thomas #11 and son Nolan #86, concluding the second Champagne Showcase.

*Mark Pangrazzi #20 (Iris) was named the most valuable player for allowing only one goal in two games. Photo courtesy of Aaron Mucciante.*

Frank Sorise discusses the Champagne Showcase on his podcast THE FIZZ 4:00 to 14:25 !

Until next time!

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

Stay tuned for year three as we collectively attempt to make the event bigger and better. For future sponsorships, collaboration, or suggestions please email hello@irismortgage.com subject line “Champagne Showcase.”

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.

Iris Mortgage Thaws Out Competition in Second Champagne Showcase Benefiting Clark Park Coalition, Detroit.