The Chicopee Fire Department celebrates winning last years Battle of the Badges by a score of 6-4.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
CHICOPEE — The Chicopee Police and Fire departments will lace up their skates to compete in the ninth annual Battle of the Badges charity hockey game.
The event will take place on Saturday, March 15, from 4-6 p.m. at Fitzpatrick Arena, 575 Maple St., Holyoke.
The Fire Department is set to defend their title after winning last years matchup 6-4. Last year, the event raised $9,000 to donate to local charities and the Battle of the Badges scholarship fund.
According to Police Officer Travis Odiorne, the event raises anywhere from $10,000 to $12,000.
Fifty percent of the proceeds go to the Chicopee Boys and Girls Club, 25% goes toward the Battle of the Badges for future endeavors and the remaining 25% goes toward another charity or cause that is decided by the Police and Fire departments after the game.
Part of the proceeds also goes toward offering a scholarship to a Chicopee High School and a Chicopee Comprehensive High School student athlete. Applications are available after the game takes place.
The game runs like a regular National Hockey League game with three, 20-minute periods and there will also be raffles and commemorative challenge coins for sale.
The custom challenge coins allow guests to proudly display their favorite team’s jersey with a two-sided coin — Fire Department on one side and the Police Department on the other.
There will only be a limited quantity for sale and when they are sold out, no more will be made.
The Police Department has won six of the eight matchups so far and Odiorne said they hope to bring the trophy back to their department for another year.
“We’re trying to get it back from them this year,” Odiorne said, “[The Police Department] is pumped up. They’re looking to bring the trophy back home this year where it belongs.”
Although there is a winner in the game, Odiorne also talked about the real winners who are the ones receiving the donations.
He said, “It’s really good. People come out every year to support the cause and it’s good friendly competition between police and fire.”
Tickets are $10 a person and free for kids 12 and younger.
Tickets will be available at the door or can be purchased ahead of time by visiting the Battle of the Badges Facebook page.
