‘For 45 minutes we might be a little chippy’: Fredericton firefighters and police face off at charity hockey game

Police officers and firefighters face-off for Fredericton’s annual Guns And Hoses Charity Hockey Game.

The Fredericton Fire Department defended its title on Saturday at the city’s annual Guns & Hoses Charity Hockey Game, winning 4-3 against the Fredericton Police Force.

The event brought out about 1,400 people to the Grant Harvey Centre, in support of Greener Village.

A final tally of money raised for the local food bank was expected on Sunday. Donations of non-perishable food items were also accepted at the door.

The event, in its 12th year, is co-organized by the city’s police force and fire department.

“The fans really bring out the energy in all of us,” said firefighter Alex Matthews, after the team’s win. “For 45 minutes we might be a little chippy. But after the game we all laugh and have fun because we’re all on the same team at the end of the day. We’re all first responders and we like to do this, raise the money and have fun together.”

Matthews and police Const. Brady Atwater took over organizing duties of the annual event a few years ago, with a goal of seeing it expand each year.

“I was looking around the stands throughout the game, and the rink was packed,” said Atwater. “It’s definitely growing each year, which is amazing.”

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