The fourth annual Pink In The Rink game involving the North Bay Battalion goes tonight (Thursday) at Memorial Gardens.

The Troops are hosting the Hamilton Bulldogs and will be wearing custom pink jerseys for the match-up.

Those will be auctioned off to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Manager Gil Pharand says the focus is on Breast Cancer Awareness, “We want people to know that they’re not alone, that other people go through the same thing they’re going through. We also want people to know that it’s important to get screened early, to get tested, anything to find this disease early can help in the long term.”

The event, which also includes chuck-a-puck prizes and information booths has raised about $36,000 in the first three years.

“It’s been growing every year and we expect to see that again this year,” said Pharand.

The doors to Memorial Gardens open at 6 o’clock tonight.

 

As for the game, Coach Stan Butler was asked about preparing for the Bulldogs, who are ranked in the top 10 in Canada.

He says his concern is his own team, especially this early in the season.

The Troops are on a two game winning streak and have a busy week with three games in four days.

They hit the road on Saturday for a stop in Ottawa, then Kingston on Sunday.

Veteran Brett McKenzie is leading the way with 8 points in five games including two goal performances in the past two wins.

Butler says being a 4th year player McKenzie’s biggest challenge is to be more consistent on a game by game basis.

Catch tonight’s game on Country 600 CKAT, starting at 6:55 pm.

Meantime, first year player Adam McMaster has been named to the upcoming World Under 17 Challenge set to start later this month.