Rare Opportunity
NJSPBA Strongest set for biggest game ever
n BY MITCHELL KRUGEL
Combine the stakes of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup with the dra-
ma of a penalty shot and the all-in attitude of law enforcement
officers stepping up for one of their own. Multiply it by 100. And
that only begins to describe the anticipated atmosphere for the
Dec. 29 hockey game between NJSPBA Strongest and the New
Jersey State Police Ice Hockey Club at Mennen Sports Arena in
Morristown.
Time out for an announcement: All law enforcement officers
within a day’s drive of Morristown should do whatever they can
to get to the Mennen Arena at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 29. This evening
will be that momentous.
NJSPBA Strongest – as the PBA hockey team has been re-
named this year – is playing this game to benefit Mallory’s Army,
one of the union’s adopted charities named for Dianne and Seth
Grossman’s beautiful daughter, Mallory Rose, a tragic victim of
cyberbullying that led to taking her own life in 2017.
The NJSP Ice Hockey Club is playing for Rare is Beautiful, an
organization that State Police Captain Sal Ingui and his wife De-
nise started to raise money to find a cure for Peutz-Jeghers Syn-
drome (PJS), a disease that increases the risk of kids developing
several different types of cancer. Their daughter, Dee Dee, was
diagnosed with PJS in 2015. Upper Saddle River Local 218 State
Delegate Anthony Pulizzano’s 4-year-old son PJ also has PJS.
Like last year’s game, which generated more than $20,000 in
donations, 40 percent of the money raised will go to each team’s
charity. The remaining 20 percent will go to the winner, which
also takes home the coveted New Jersey’s Finest Memorial Cup.
NJSPBA Strongest currently has possession of the cup by virtue
of a 5-4 victory in last year’s game.
“The payback of playing for this team is getting to play in a
game like this,” noted Monmouth County Sheriff’s Officers
Local 314 member Dan Tacopino, NJSPBA Strongest captain.
“Playing in prime time on a Saturday night against a team made
up of police officers as disciplined and strong as the state police
brings everybody back to their heyday of playing college or high
school hockey in sold-out arenas.”
The New Jersey’s Finest Memorial Cup game drew more than
2,000 fans last year. Dianne Grossman initiated online sales
for this year’s contest, and Tacopino suggests that the turnout
might double last year’s crowd. Additionally, Brian Kelly, a team
NJSPBA Strongest
vs. NJ State Police
Ice Hockey Club
Dec. 29, 5:30 p.m.
Mennen Sports
Arena, Morristown
member from Livingston Local 263, has been scouring Morris
County on his days off, posting flyers to attract even more at-
tendance.
And Pulizzano has been hearing from members of the Bergen
County Conference that attendance and donations are on the
rise in its continued support of his son. So far, PJ has been able
to fend off any major effects of PJS, but he has to be monitored
by 12 doctors.
PJ will be the one at the game on Dec. 29 smiling and wearing
his beloved New York Rangers jersey.
“Obviously, this is a big one personally for me,” shared Puliz-
zano, who has been a PBA hockey team supporter since the be-
ginning. “We have been overwhelmed by members and friends
who contacted us through the PBA to support Rare is Beautiful.”
NJSPBA Strongest warmed up for the big game by defeating a
team from the U.S. Coast Guard, 6-4, at Jersey Shore Ice Arena
in Wall Township on Nov. 17. The victory marked the debut of
Pemberton Township Local 260 member Joe Licata in goal. New
team member Travis Ritter of Rutherford Local 300 led the team
with two goals and two assists, while Dave McAndrew of Morris
County Sheriffs Department Local 151 also had two goals.
The game was played to benefit the American Foundation
for Suicide Prevention and inspired by Howell Township Local
228 member Mike Silvani, who lost his brother to suicide. The
$2,000 raised helped reaffirm the mission for NJSPBA Strongest.
“It really makes us appreciate what these charities do for the
community,” Tacopino said. “And how they bring everybody to-
gether.”
Action from the NJSPBA Strongest game against
the U.S. Coast Guard on Nov. 17
72
NEW JERSEY COPS
■ DECEMBER 2018