If you can’t take the Heat, you get the Smoke – and that’s exactly what happened at the Guns n’ Hoses Charity Hockey Challenge Saturday.
Winnipeg’s first responders faced off in a fierce match at Canada Life Centre. Team Heat – made up of members from the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) – clashed against the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service’s Team Smoke.
The event raised money for three local organizations including Project 11, the Never Alone Cancer Foundation and Special Olympics Manitoba.
Before the game, players from both teams were fired up and eager to hit the ice.
“Both the fire and the police have a lot of very good hockey players who played prior to this career,” said Frazer McLaren, a WPS officer. “It’s great to get them all on the ice and have a fun game to watch and raise some money for charities.”
McLaren, who had his own stint in the NHL with the San Jose Sharks and Toronto Maple Leafs, said he was also excited to play on the Jets’ home ice.
“It’s great for the fans coming, and it’s cool for us too, to play in a big arena, make you feel like you’re in a big time tournament,” he said.
While the contest saw some intense plays – and even a few fights – the Smoke won it all with a final score of 7-4.
