While the upcoming hockey battle between Kitimat RCMP and the local fire department is still one month away, the teams’ mascots faced off in a different kind of pregame battle at the Tamitik Arena.
Safety Bear and Sparky the Dog met in the middle of the ice to show off their skating abilities in a race on Thursday (Jan. 19). In the end, Safety Bear won by a “photo finish,” firefighters union president Justin Medeiros said.
“I’m going to hedge my bets that the RCMP are hopefully going to – I won’t say destroy the firefighters – but hopefully give them some good competition,” Sgt. Rob Gardner added.
Guns-N-Hoses, a hockey game between the departments that started in 2016, raises money for Kitimat’s KidSport – a program that provides grants for children’s sports registration costs to families in the region facing financial challenges.
The annual event has been postponed several times due to the pandemic, and the last official match was in 2019.
While puck drop is set for 7 p.m. on Feb. 18, there will be plenty of other events and games, including a prize toss, beer garden, door prizes, silent auction, 50/50 draw and the chance to win a weekend stay at Waterlily Bay Hotel. There will also be a Timbit hockey game and Snow Valley Skating Club demonstration at intermission.
Admission is by donation.
READ MORE: Guns n Hoses raises $23,000 for KidsSports
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