Area hockey players hit the ice on Sunday with the hopes that they could “make a save” for their former teammate Brandon Correia.

The Old Rochester Regional High School 2007 graduate and goalie was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis as a child. The disease developed into primary sclerosing cholangitis, a disease that deteriorated Correia’s liver and forced him to quit his job as an EMT.

Now in need of a life-saving transplant, Correia got a boost from his old hockey teammates and coaches with a benefit game at Tabor Academy’s rink on Sunday.

“He has not been able to work for the past year or more,” said Correia’s former coach Tim Matthews. “This is an attempt to both raise some money and raise some awareness for his fight and search for a transplant donor. It’s also to help raise his spirits a little bit.”

A roster of more than 20 teammates from ORR, Fairhaven High School and Hetland Youth Hockey signed up to play in Sunday’s game.

Matthews said Correia, a resident of New Bedford, has been hospitalized almost monthly due to his illness, but he was able to attend the game on Sunday.

Correia said it was the first time since high school that he'd seen so many of his friends in the same place.

"It means the world to me," said the former hockey captain. "As Mr. Matthews says, 'Once a teammate, always a teammate.' It's a good feeling to know these guys are always there."

Players contributed at least $30 each to Correia’s transplant fund and spectators donated at the door with all proceeds going to Correia, said Matthews.

A similar game was scheduled last March, but was cancelled due to weather. Correia's friends, family and coaches got the word out about the game through several Facebook pages devoted to Correia.

Correia's co-captains Timmy Matthews, Derek Clarke and Conor Brown all suited up for the game and couldn't say enough nice things about their friend.

"We've always been really good friends," said Brown. "He's an unsung hero. This is the least we could do."

"It sucks it has to happen to one of the good guys," said Clarke.

Correia said he is hopeful that a match will be found soon for a transplant, and so are his friends.

“I think this is his year to get a living donor transplant,” Matthews said. “He’s just a fighter.”

For more information on Correia, visit www.facebook.com/MakingASaveForB. Correia is hoping to reach $25,000 in donations to the National Foundation for Transplants and currently has $7,220. Visit his donation page here.