Purple “Jays for Jake” shirts filled the stands at 1st Summit Arena in Johnstown Tuesday night.

These fans weren’t there just to watch some high school hockey: they helped raise money for Jake Richards, a Conemaugh Valley student battling Stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

“Pretty upsetting,” said Gage Urban, Jake’s friend.

“Scary. It’s something  you don’t want to hear,” said Ryan Sida, another one of Jake’s friends.

Students and parents from Conemaugh Valley and other schools in the area – even the Johnstown Tomahawks – all pitched in to help raise money for Jake at the hockey game. They held a basket raffle, sold 50-50 tickets and sold chuck-a-pucks.

“They have taken my son and put [him] under their wing and we appreciate it,” said Carl Richards, Jake’s dad.

Conemaugh Valley tied Johnstown 2-2. Both teams will head to the playoffs next week. Also a win-win for both teams: supporting Jake in his fight.

“He’s like a soldier pretty much. He’s handling it stronger than anyone else could,” Urban said.

“He’s one of my best friends. And it’s tough to go through something like that,” said Sida. “He’s been stronger than I could have been.”

The Jays for Jake raised more than $4,000 for the Richards family. More fundraisers will be held at school sports games this spring.