The St. Louis Jr. Blues, proud members of the NA3HL, are set to make this year’s First Responders Game the biggest and best one yet as they honor the memory of Officer Mike Langsdorf, a former Affton Americans player who was killed in the line of duty in June.
Jr. Blues head coach Chris Flaugher, a friend and former colleague of Langsdorf with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police, believes that this game will be the best way to honor the fallen officer’s memory. “Hockey really meant a lot to Mike: it was how he and I became friends, it helped him get through some tough times, and in general it was as important to him as was his desire to serve others. Seeing the hockey and public-safety communities come together to support Mike’s family is something he would have loved to see.”
Fans are advised to come early to Affton Ice Rink this Saturday, September 28, as a special attraction will serve as the prelude to the Jr. Blues taking on the Peoria Mustangs at 7 pm. At 5 pm, the STL Responders will face off against STL Fire On Ice, in a guns’n’hoses showdown that will be an exciting kickoff to the day’s events.
STL Responders is a team consisting of St. Louis City police officers, firefighters, and EMTs, who earlier this year won the Boston Heroes’ Cup against a strong field of public safety and military teams from across the country. Fire On Ice is made up of firefighters and EMTs from departments all across Greater St. Louis, and have a long history of success at public-safety hockey tournaments as well.
“Both of these teams have a lot of guys who have played high-level hockey, so it’ll be a fun game to watch,” noted Flaugher. “You’ll see a lot of competition and rivalry on the ice, but a lot of respect as well between these two teams.”
The main event of the night, the renewal of the rivalry between the Jr. Blues and Peoria, begins at 7 pm and will be preceded by a ceremony to honor the Langsdorf family. The Jr. Blues will be wearing commemorative jerseys with Officer Langsdorf’s portrait and badge printed on them: these will be auctioned off during the game. Also up for bids will be a number of other silent auction items, including unique memorabilia and Blues ticket packages. Finally, our friends at Center Ice Brewery will be providing free beer for fans 21 and older: service starts at 5:30 pm and continues until the kegs run dry. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the gate.
