Via Iris Mortgage: 2022 Champagne Showcase Recap
Written by: Chris Thomas, Iris Mortgage
Iris Mortgage Stunned in Overtime at Champagne Classic, Clark Park Detroit. Full Recap.
Champagne Classic brings together community and small 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.
Semi-Final Game 1: Bowline Financial eliminates Iris Mortgage in a 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.
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.
Semi-Final Game 2: Iron Fish Distillery’s strong start outlasts Champagne Athletics third period 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.
Champagne Athletics team captain Frank Sorise donned a Detroit favorite #19 and coached his team through 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 after disregarding several threats to “stay out of my crease” during pre-game statements by Anderson.
As ice conditioned worsened more than usual due to outdoor the outdoor surface, it was an all to familiar “too little, too late” scenario as the Champagne Athletics bubbly hopes turned flat by Iron Fish Distillery. After fans witnessed the comeback effort they were even more enticed to stay for the championship game.
Fans took 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 Sklarski (nee Gostek) and closely watched the open skate and enjoyed the day of events.
Championship Game: Bowline Financial knots inaugarual Champagne Classic, overwhelming Iron Fish Distillery 6-3.
An empty net tally made the game 6-3 securing victory for Bowline Financial.
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.
Funds were raised for Clark Park, local businesses gave it all, and the community warmly embraced the first of many Champagne Classics at Clark Park, Detroit.
Additional donations can be made digitally via PayPal here: https://clarkparkdetroit.com/
