Rangers painting the rink pink Saturday

The Marquette Rangers will be busy this week.

First, they will be preparing on the ice for their home-and-home weekend series this Friday and Saturday against the Alpena IceDiggers. Secondly, and for some, more importantly, the team will be at several locations around Marquette County promoting the “Paint the Rink Pink” night Saturday at Lakeview Arena.

The team has again partnered with the Marquette General Foundation at Marquette General Health Systems to raise money for the Cancer Center at MGHS. The team will play the game Saturday in customized pink jerseys, which will in turn be auctioned off at the conclusion of the game.

“The goal is to get as many people aware of the game and involved in this fundraiser as possible,” said Rangers spokesman Mark Evans. “We’ve always said that part of being a Marquette Ranger will be community involvement, so our guys have been at service clubs making presentations. They’ll be at several bank locations this week all to get people excited for Saturday.”

The Rangers will also be hosting a tailgate party prior to Saturday’s game at Lakeview Arena. The event runs from 5:30-7:00 with food and beverages available. Music will be provided by The Flat Broke Blues Band. The groups’ lead vocalist, Lorrie Hayes, is herself a breast cancer survivor and has performed the national anthem at the two prior “pink games” in 2007 and 2008. The band’s performance has been underwritten by mBank of Marquette.

“This should be a fun evening of hockey and entertainment,” Evans added. “It's a key game within our division, but it’s also a great opportunity for our players to do something to embrace the community they represent. We’re hoping for a great turnout and high bids on the jerseys to help the Cancer Center.”

The opening bid for each jersey will start at $100.00.

PHOTO: From left - Rangers defensemen Cody Donnay and Carter Foguth, along with forwards Josh Bussell and Garrett Ladd, were at River Valley Bank in Marquette Monday promoting the “Paint the Rink Pink” game this Saturday.