NEWARK, N.J. – The odds were very much in the house’s favor when it came to producing the fifth annual Ukrainian Heritage Day at the New Jersey Devils on March 4. Thanks to the organizing efforts of Myron and Chris Bytz, along with strong support from the local professional hockey team, this cultural event which started out as a roll of the dice has become a sure thing.
The 16,514 plus persons who congregated at the Prudential Center for the first ever NHL game between New Jersey and the expansion Vegas Golden Knights all came away with a bonus experience: witnessing artistic expressions of Ukrainian folk dancing and music. It was as if everyone in the building was Ukrainian for at least a few minutes if not longer.
The Ukrainian festival got started 90 minutes prior to the scheduled opening faceoff at 5 p.m. with free face painting, Ukrainian flags (courtesy of the Ukrainian National Association) and the first of three sessions of dancing and singing in the arena’s main concourse. Master of ceremonies Michael Koziupa, a super-active member of the Ukrainian American community, kept the program humming and the viewers entertained with his well-prepared witty humor and informative tidbits about the performers and their acts.
One of several groups making their debut at this event was the Zolotyi Promin Dance Group from Hartford, Conn., which captivated the audience with its program of vibrant Ukrainian dances. Choreographed and directed by Orlando and Larissa Pagan, the ensemble featured dancers age 12 to 24.
Oksana Sorochan
Some of the Ukrainian Americans who attended the New Jersey Devils vs. Vegas Golden Knights game gathered on the ice for a group photo afterwards.
Continuing their goal of educating the Ukrainian community and the general public about Ukrainian dancing and the culture of the Ukrainian people was the Voloshky School from Philadelphia. Director Oleh Goudimiak brought with him a dance team representing the school’s performing group that perpetuates Ukrainian culture at community events.
Long Island’s Mriya Dance Group made its presence felt with Roman Lemkowicz’s artistic talents showcasing his organization’s 55 years of activity at multi-ethnic events throughout the tri-state area.
Na Lemkowyni was one of the two vocal groups performing before and during the Devils-Golden Knights match-up. Formed in 2017, this octet of singers performed at the 70th anniversary of Akcja Wisla in New York. Members of the group have toured Europe and the U.S. with the folk ensembles Lemkowyna and Kyczera.
The Ariana Lem Joy Trio, starring 8-year-old singer/violinist Ariana Matolak, with parents Suzi and Jurak, re-imagined rich traditional tunes from Eastern Europe via their own intriguing arrangements. Influenced by their Carpatho-Rusyn descent, they featured three-part harmony and unique instrumentation.
Ukrainians participating in the actual game presentation included Zamboni riders Simon and Marcus Bulawski with Tymur Kastran, and American national anthem singer Miss Matolak, whose rendition hitting all the high notes received much adulation from the near-capacity crowd.
A Ukrainian honor guard consisting of veterans Walter Kovbasniuk and Michael Hrycak, Organization Oborony Lemkivshchyny Mykhaylo Chomyk, CYM member Stefan Krysyna, Plast members Kalyna Yurchuk and Marko Wojicki and Ukrainian flag-bearer Lena Howansky preceded the puck drop at center ice with the Devils’ own Ukrainian, Travis Zajac.
The traditional “Hero of the Game” presentation occurred during the second period when distinguished Sgt. Walter Stepaniak, a U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force veteran of two tours in Vietnam, where he earned two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and a Cross of Galantry, was honored for his dedicated military service. Mr. Stepaniak went on to become a volunteer firefighter, serving with distinction in several New Jersey towns, while also attaining the rank of captain as a N.J. State-certified EMT.
The hockey game itself was a slow-starting affair with a defensive tone until a couple of power play goals got the two offenses going. Taylor Hall scored again, but the locals were bested by the league’s newest squad from Las Vegas, 3-2. The gamble on an expansion club in the Nevada desert has paid off big time, with this division leader considered a serious Stanley Cup contender in its inaugural year.
The fifth annual Ukrainian Heritage Day ended with many Ukrainians meeting on the ice for a group photo of over 100 sports and cultural enthusiasts. Despite a hometown loss, everyone attending this event went home a winner.