Islander Greats Hit the Ice With Local Hockey Alumni Team

It certainly wouldn't be a stretch to sayteam was a success; this year Kevin Barattini and friends performed a hat trick.

Not only did they raise more money than they did last year, attendance to the event was just slightly better and the team was narrowly beat by just one goal.

"It was unbelievable," said Barattini, who organized the event for the second year. "We lost 6-5 with two minutes to go."

Barattini organized the game in honor of friend and former teammate Frank Rizzo who was killed in a car accident two years ago on his 30th birthday. A scholarship fund, was named for Rizzo soon after.

The Sarah Grace Foundation became part of the event after Barattini met the Weippert family, who lost their daughter to leukemia, at a Christmas event.

"You can’t put a price tag on watching the parents memorializing their kids," said Barattinin. "Lot of people packed out place to see their heroes and donate money to great causes."

Rizzo's jersey, number 68, was retired and raised in a ceremony preceding the game.

Kings Park's own Alysson Gannon sand God Bless America, while former American Idol contestants, Robbie Rosen and Alessandra Guercio closed out the event in a duet of "So Glad You Came", that brought the crowd to their feet.

Barattini said the Islanders are already on board for next year.

"The Islanders were so glad to contribute," said Barattini.  "They can't wait to do it next year. It just keeps getting better and better."