Police-fire rivalry ignites with upcoming charity hockey game – DiscoverAirdrie.com

In just over three weeks, on Saturday, November 26, the RCMP and city firefighters will square off on the hockey rink for the annual Sirens Charity Hockey game. Donations of goods, as well as money, will be accepted on behalf of the Airdrie 1st Club Christmas Basket Program.

While last year the donations were aimed at the elderly, this year the goal is to collect donations for older children.

“This year, [The Airdrie 1st Club] said they needed games and toys, card games, and kind of aimed at young teenagers. And of course gift cards and cash are accepted,” said Andrew MacPherson of the Airdrie Professional Firefighters Association. “It’s by donation, so any of these items get you in the game.”

He added that Calgary Flames alumni Chris Herperger, Brent Gogol, Darryl Laplante and Tony Stile will also be in attendance and although not yet confirmed, Olly Postanin and Jacob Ardown, of On the bench may also appear.

As in previous years, volunteers from the Airdrie 1st club will be on hand at the Ron Ebbesen Arena to collect donations and distribute 50/50 raffle tickets and although McPherson said it has always been a friendly rivalry between the police and the firefighters, it was very certain that the Airdrie firefighters would win this year’s game as they did last year.

“Fire won last year 12-7, so [this year] I would say it would be at least that if not a wider score,” MacPherson said, half-joking.

While it appears the fire department is very confident of asserting their dominance this year as well, the police are slightly more reserved in their confidence. Airdrie RCMP Corporal James McConnell said members of the RCMP and City Police will lace up their skates and play. When asked what he thought of the firefighters’ rather presumptuous idea that they would also win this year, McConnell was quick to respond.

“Our main goal is to beat firefighters in terms of donations and hopefully on the scoreboard as well,” he said.

While spectators will be treated to a light-hearted rivalry between the city’s first responders on the ice, McConnell said it’s also a chance for the community to see their first responders out of their uniforms.

“I think an event like this allows police and firefighters[fighters] to show who we are outside of our normal work environment. I think this is an opportunity for us to give back a little and give a chance to raise some money for a good cause,” he said. “Everyone wins in this situation when we can get people together and play hockey for a good cause. .”

Last year’s charity game raised nearly $10,000 in donations, although MacPherson said he hoped this year’s donations would exceed that. The game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. at Ron Ebbesen Arena.

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