Pepsi Ice Center makes final push in Hockeyville 2nd round

Posted on April 19, 2017
The semifinal round of voting ends tonight at KraftHockeyville.com. (Photo Kraft Hockeyville)

By Greg Halbleib

BLOOMINGTON – The Pepsi Ice Center is making its final push to advance to the final round for a chance to win $150,000 in rink upgrades and the chance to host a National Hockey League pre-season game.

The Bloomington facility advanced out of the initial 10 to the final four thanks to public votes in the Kraft Hockeyville contest. Pepsi Ice Center manager Michael Hernbrott said the facility has gotten plenty of support from the hockey community, including that team that plays in the United Center in Chicago.

“The Blackhawks actually tweeted about us during the game the other night and on the broadcast they talked about us twice,” Hernbrott told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin and Patti Penn. “AHAI, which is the governing board of all of Illinois of hockey families and all that, has been sending out support and newsletters. All of the Central Illinois hockey programs have been posting things about it all.”

Hernbrott said the Hockeyville excitement has reinforced what he already knows about the area’s strong support of the Pepsi Ice Center and its programs.

“It’s a community place,” Hernbrott said. “I’m there every day, and I see all the kids and the families and adults that come in and skate at our facility, but to get them all there together at the same time, it’s just amazing to see.”

This round’s voting ends at midnight tonight. Go to krafthockeyville.com for details and how to vote.

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