On Saturday a frenzied crowd of more than 250 people crammed into Starr Rink to witness the Huntsman Cup hockey game. While the charity event between the Sigma Chi and Beta Theta Pi fraternities is only in its second year, the game already has become a significant philanthropic event, as well as a heated rivalry on the ice.

All profits from the game were donated to the Huntsman Cancer Institute, an organization that aims to combine revolutionary research and state-of-the-art patient care in an effort to offer hope and support to cancer patients and their families. This year, the event raised over $2,400 through ticket and t-shirt sales, as well as donations from the local businesses Oliveri’s Pizzeria and New York Pizzeria.

For the second consecutive year the fans were treated to an extremely exciting game. Beta sophomore Brian Fuller got the game off to a fast start by scoring the first goal just seconds into the first period. Beta junior Shezhad Khan expressed how important the fast start was.

“Scoring a goal that quickly certainly gave us a great amount of confidence,” Khan said. “It was a huge momentum boost.”

However, the early Beta advantage did not last for long, as Sigma senior Peter Engebretson blasted a long shot into the net just minutes later. After the teams traded goals in the second period, a hard-fought but scoreless final period sent the game to overtime for the second consecutive year.

Although Sigma threatened to score the game winner several times early in the overtime period, Beta eventually gained the victory when first-year Jeff Thompson scored the golden goal with just one minute left on the clock.

Former Sigma President senior Julien Lederman expressed his disappointment in the loss, but also his pride in the charity event.

“While it is definitely hard to accept the loss, especially as a senior playing in the last game of a distinguished hockey career, I couldn’t be happier with the success of the event,” Lederman said. “It is certainly a great feeling to know that we are contributing to such a great charity and both fraternities should be proud.”

A party that was co-hosted by the fraternities at the Sigma Chi house followed the game. Donations were accepted at the door to further benefit the Huntsman Institute. The fraternities look forward to improving upon the success of the event in years to come.

“It is just a great feeling to know that we are helping people who really need it,” Sigma Vice-President sophomore Johnny Russell said. “It doesn’t necessarily matter who wins the game. As long we are benefiting a good cause, we are all winners.”