January 20th is going to be a very special night for Comets fans.
The second Save of the Day Foundation Night is set to take place next Saturday against the Syracuse Crunch, and the Comets have a lot in store for fans in attendance that night.
On Saturday, the Comets will hit the ice in their black jerseys with neon green and grey accents, with helmets, shells, gloves and socks to match. 2018’s jerseys will feature the traditional Comets shield logo on the front, the Save of the Day bull and OCSLEF’s logo on the shoulders, and ‘Save of the Day’ discreetly across the back in grey. The jerseys, which garnered national recognition last January, were brought back for 2018 due to their popularity and presence on the ice. Both Thatcher Demko and Richard Bachman have also designed custom masks for the occasion, along with their gloves, blockers and pads.
Save of the Day’s main fundraising event will begin on Friday, January 12, when the Comets will begin sales for their first ever Save of the Day 15th Anniversary raffle. 3,924 raffle tickets (the exact number of seats in the Adirondack Bank Center) will be sold for $20 a piece for your chance to win game used player jerseys, helmets, gloves, sticks, and socks as well as Save of the Day night custom nameplates and pucks*, all autographed.
Furthermore, if you purchase 25 or more raffle tickets, you will quality for one of a few different Save of the Day Night packages, outlined below. You must purchase your tickets by Friday, January 19, in order to qualify.
Raffle tickets will be sold at the Save of the Day window, box office and through Utica Comets staff members and Jr. Comets players. The 8-day raffle spans three Comets games and will conclude after the second intermission of Save of the Day Night on the 20th, where the winning ticket numbers will be posted to the Comets website, Save of the Day window and social media. You do not have to be present in order to win, and tickets can be purchased with cash, checks, or credit card.
In addition, selected players will change their jerseys twice and three times during next Saturday’s game, increasing the chances that a lucky fan will leave with one of their game worn jerseys. The Comets will carry over the 50/50 beginning on Friday, January 12, and ending on Save of the Day night, with the hopes of making it the largest pot in Comets history.
All proceeds raised through Save of the Day Night will go to the Save of the Day Foundation, with a portion of the proceeds going directly to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Foundation (OCSLEF), a Foundation established in 2012 that helps bridge the gap between Oneida County’s law enforcement and its public. For the past six years, OCSLEF has committed themselves to raising money through community endeavors to fund law enforcement initiatives that strengthen said mutualistic relationship.
“For 15 years, it has been an honor to grow our great organization with great people, and this event is one that exemplifies everyone in our community coming together for a worthy cause,” said Comets President Robert Esche.
Prior to puck drop, the Save of the Day Foundation board will present checks to three separate beneficiaries, totaling $81,000. Oneida County Sheriff and Chairman of OCSLEF Rob Maciol will drop the ceremonial first puck, with Undersheriff and Vice Chairman Rob Swenszkowski performing the National Anthem.
“The Oneida County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Foundation event on the Save of the Day night is an excellent opportunity for our community to participate in our mission to support enhancing Public Service via public participation,” expressed OCSLEF Chairman Rob Maciol.
“Our community holds a high level of support for local law-enforcement and Save of the Day night not only gives them great night hockey with the Utica Comets but a chance to further support our foundations ability to strengthen our relationship between our citizens and members of law-enforcement that serve them,” added OCSLEF Vice Chairman Rob Swenszkowski.
*Thatcher Demko’s helmet and equipment will be held back from the raffle and will be auctioned off at the Vancouver Canucks’ Dice and Ice event on March 3, with proceeds split between the Save of the Day Foundation and Vancouver’s Canucks for Kids Fund.