Lobbyists Win Second Straight Congressional Hockey Challenge in Shootout

First overtime in the charity game’s history ends 4-3 in shootout

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Lobbyists won a chippy edition of the annual charity game in a shootout, capturing their second straight Congressional Hockey Challenge Champions Cup. The tightly-battled game ended 4-3 following three straight Lobbyist goals in the shootout, and three saves on the Lawmakers squad.

“This may have been the best Congressional Hockey Challenge yet,” said Lobbyist captain and President of the Congressional Hockey Challenge, Nick Lewis. “Our first overtime game, our first shootout, and a big win for the Lobbyist side for the second straight year. But the real winner was the charities we play for that help grow the game of hockey for women and girls, veterans, and underserved communities.”

The Congressional Hockey Challenge reached record fundraising numbers this year, with nearly $200,000 raised from dozens of companies and individual donors, capitalizing on a Gold Medal year for hockey in the U.S.

The first period ended even at one, following goals from Dan Martini of eBay, and Billy Dwyer from the Office of Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02). Dwyer’s goal came courtesy of an assist from House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (MN-06). Rep. Rob Bresnahan (PA-08) kept the game tight with strong saves in net against a barrage of Lobbyist shots.

The second period found the Lobbyists up 3-2 with two goals from Eetu Hogland from UPS. Rob MacGregor from the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources scored for the Lawmakers with an assist from 2018 Olympic Gold Medalist Haley Skarupa.

The third period is when the game got heated, with a scrums by the nets following each stoppage. The game-tying goal came with under two minutes to play with a strike from Dwyer, with a feed from Casey Fitzpatrick from the Office of the House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (LA-01) and Whip Emmer.

Following a scoreless overtime, the game came to a close with Orrick’s Michelle MacGregor snapping a shot home to win in the shootout. Lobbyists Will Bensur (Firehouse Strategies) and John Jukuri (NCSL Foundation) also scored in the shootout, following three straight saves from Will King.

Lawmakers who played in the game included FBI Director Kash Patel, the Department of Interior’s Kate MacGregor, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, and Reps. Rob Bresnahan, George Whitesides (CA-27), Mike Quigley (IL-05).

Since 2009, the game has raised more than $1.5 million for charities including the NHL Foundation, Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club, USA Hockey Warriors Ice Hockey Program, Capital Warriors Beltway Hockey Program, the Tampa Warriors Hockey Heals event, and the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (which helped accelerate the development of the Professional Women’s Hockey League).

Contact:
Kevin Coroneos
congressionalhockeychc@gmail.com
856-237-7050