Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
The Philadelphia police department has released surveillance video of a brutal attack following Monday’s Winter Classic game in an effort to identify the three suspects involved in the beating of two men wearing New York Rangers jerseys outside a South Philadelphia cheesesteak shack.
Rest of story and video after the jump…
The graphic video shows three suspects wearing Philadelphia Flyers jerseys beating and kicking the two victims outside Geno’s Steaks in South Philly at 7:15 p.m. ET.
One of the victims was an off-duty Woodbridge, N.J., police officer, according to Woodbridge Township spokesman John Hagerty. NBC New York identified him as Neal Auricchio, 30, who the station says also served as a Marine in Iraq.
“He got banged up pretty badly,” his father, Neal Auricchio Sr., told NBC New York Wednesday. “Stitches in the one eye, and the other eye is pretty puffed up. He went for a CT scan today, and we’re waiting for the results on that.”
Hagerty confirmed to ESPNNewYork.com that Auricchio, who is currently on medical leave until cleared to return to work, has been released from the hospital.
“He’s in fine condition,” Hagerty told ESPNNewYork.com. “He’s resting and doing well.”
Hagerty said the “investigation by the Philadelphia Police Department is ongoing,” and that the Woodbridge Police Department has offered its assistance in the matter.
A Flyers-geared hockey website also has provided some help in identifying at least one of the suspects.
According to the website, Broad Street Hockey, one of the suspects identified himself on the site’s Facebook fan page and admitted he took part in the attack, but then backtracked.
A source told ESPNNewYork.com that he later denied his involvement to police but will be interviewed Thursday.
Police are seeking assistance in identifying the three men and are asking anyone with information to call the Philadelphia Police South Detective Division.
According to NBC New York, Auricchio earned a Purple Heart in Iraq and even returned for a second tour after being shot in the leg.
“We root, we play, we win, we lose, and we go on,” Woodbridge mayor John McCormac, a friend of the family, said to NBC New York. “And regardless of the result of the game, this should not have happened to a good, decent young man who’s truly a war hero.”
WRITTEN BY Katie Strang covers the NHL for ESPNNewYork.com & FULL STORY HERE
Follow Katie Strang on Twitter:Â @katiestrangespn
