It starts with a chirp. Maybe it’s about a slow response time or a joke about who spends more time at the gym versus the donut shop. But once the puck drops, the badge doesn't matter as much as the scoreboard. Guns and hoses hockey is a weird, wonderful, and often incredibly violent subculture of North American sports that most people only see once a year when they buy a charity ticket.
You’ve probably seen the flyers. Local police officers (Guns) squaring off against the fire department (Hoses). It sounds like a friendly community bake sale on ice.
It isn't.
These guys take it personally. Most of these players grew up in rinks across Minnesota, Massachusetts, or Ontario. They played Junior A or high-level college puck before trading the jersey for a uniform. The skill level is surprisingly high. The hits are real. And honestly, the chirps from the bench are usually more creative than anything you’ll hear in the NHL.
The Raw Appeal of the Rivalry
Why do people actually show up for guns and hoses hockey? It’s not just to support the "Back the Blue" or "Firefighter Relief" funds, though that’s the official reason.
People come for the friction.
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There is a natural, baked-in rivalry between police and fire departments. It’s universal. Cops think firefighters sleep all day in a recliner waiting for a cat in a tree; firefighters think cops are just revenue generators who don't know how to cook a decent meal. Put those two demographics on a sheet of ice with 15,000 screaming fans—like they do at the St. Louis Guns ‘N Hoses event at Enterprise Center—and things get heated.
St. Louis is actually the gold standard here. Since 1987, that single event has raised millions for The BackStoppers, an organization that supports families of fallen first responders. It’s not just a game; it’s a massive production with boxing matches often interspersed or held as a separate "Budweiser Guns 'N Hoses" event. In 2023, they celebrated their 37th anniversary, proving this isn't some fleeting trend. It’s a pillar of the community.
The Skill Gap is Real
Don't go into this expecting "beer league" quality.
Sure, some smaller town games might feature the 50-year-old sergeant who can barely skate backwards. But at the major city level—New York, Chicago, Detroit—these rosters are stacked. You’ll find former NCAA Division I athletes and even guys with a few pro games under their belts.
The NYPD vs. FDNY hockey game at Madison Square Garden is the pinnacle. They’ve been doing this for over 50 years. When they play, they aren't just "skating around." They are running power plays, executing neutral zone traps, and occasionally dropping the gloves. It’s a heavy game. These players are in the prime of their lives, and they have the "tough guy" mentality built into their professional DNA.
Why the "Hoses" Usually Have an Edge
There is a long-standing joke (that is statistically somewhat true) that the fire department usually wins.
Why?
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Schedule flexibility. Firefighters often work 24-hour shifts followed by 48 or 72 hours off. This gives them significantly more time to hit the ice for "training" or mid-day practices than a police officer working a standard rotating 8 or 12-hour shift. If you look at the historical records of the FDNY vs. NYPD series, the firefighters often hold the lead. They have more time to build chemistry. They have more time to recover from injuries.
It drives the cops crazy.
The Logistics of a High-Stakes Charity Game
Organizing a guns and hoses hockey match is a nightmare of liability and scheduling. You have to coordinate with two different unions, the city government, and a venue that can handle the capacity.
- Insurance: Most city insurers aren't thrilled about their active-duty officers potentially tearing an ACL or getting a concussion on a Wednesday night for a charity game.
- Equipment: Most teams rely on sponsorships from local businesses or equipment brands like Bauer or CCM to kit out the guys.
- The "Ice Factor": Securing ice time at a major arena like the United Center or Madison Square Garden requires massive upfront capital or a partnership with the resident NHL team.
Then there’s the charity aspect. The money doesn't just "go to the city." It usually funnels through 501(c)(3) organizations like The 100 Club or specialized local foundations. This is where the real value lies. In a world where first responders often face immense stress and public scrutiny, these games serve as a rare moment of pure, positive community engagement.
Looking Beyond the Major Cities
While St. Louis and NYC get the headlines, the heartbeat of guns and hoses hockey is in the smaller regional tournaments.
The Heroes Cup in Marlborough, Massachusetts, is one of the biggest first responder tournaments in the world. It’s not just one game; it’s over 100 teams from across North America competing over a weekend. It’s a massive social event. The parking lots become a sea of tailgates, and the "brotherhood" talk you hear about in first responder circles actually manifests there.
You’ll see teams from the TSA, Border Patrol, Corrections, and various rural fire districts. They play for different tiers based on skill, ensuring that the "plugs" (the slow skaters) aren't getting smoked by former semi-pro players.
The Physical Toll and the "Code"
Let's talk about the fighting.
Officially, most of these games are "no-fighting" zones. If you fight, you’re ejected. Sometimes you’re banned from the next year’s game.
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Unofficially? It’s hockey.
When a firefighter runs a police officer into the boards a little too hard, the "Code" kicks in. There have been several viral videos over the years of full-blown line brawls in charity games. While it makes for great YouTube fodder, it’s actually a PR disaster for the departments. Chiefs hate it. The organizers hate it. But the fans? They absolutely love it.
There is something visceral about seeing the people who protect the city blowing off steam in the most aggressive way possible. It’s a release valve.
The Mental Health Connection
Lately, the narrative around these games has shifted. It’s not just about raising money for families of the fallen; it’s about the players' mental health. First responders have incredibly high rates of PTSD and suicide.
Being part of a hockey team provides a locker room culture that mirrors the "squad" or "engine" dynamic but without the life-or-death stakes. It’s a place to talk, vent, and stay physically fit. Groups like First Responder Hockey are increasingly focused on using the sport as a therapeutic tool.
Common Misconceptions About These Games
Most people think these games are rigged or "scripted" like professional wrestling to keep the score close for the fans.
That is 100% false.
I’ve been in those locker rooms. These guys hate losing more than they love the charity. If a team can put up 10 goals on the other department, they will. The bragging rights last for a full 365 days. It affects everything from who pays for drinks at the local pub to how much "trash" is talked during joint training exercises.
Another misconception is that it’s only for "young" guys. While the main showcase games feature the best athletes, many regions have "Senior" or "Masters" divisions for those 40 and over. It keeps the veterans involved and keeps the institutional memory of the rivalry alive.
How to Get Involved (Or Just Watch)
If you’re looking to attend or organize one of these, you need to know the landscape.
- Check the Big Dates: The NYPD/FDNY game usually happens in the spring (March or April). The St. Louis event is typically around Thanksgiving.
- Sponsorship is Key: If you’re a local business owner, these games are the best ROI you can get. Your logo goes in front of thousands of local residents who are predisposed to like people who support first responders.
- Expect a Sellout: In hockey-heavy states, these games sell out faster than some minor league pro games. Buy tickets early.
- Dress the Part: Expect a lot of thin blue line and thin red line flags. It’s a patriotic, high-energy environment.
The Actionable Reality
If you’re a first responder and you want to play, don't just show up to an open skate and expect a spot on the "Guns" or "Hoses" roster.
Most of these teams have tryouts. They have captains. They have "scouts" (usually just guys who know who played in college). You need to be in skating shape. If you haven't put on pads in five years, give yourself six months of "rat hockey" or "stick and puck" sessions before you even think about trying out. The pace of a high-level charity game is blistering, and the last thing you want to be is the guy who gets burned on a breakaway because you ran out of gas in the first period.
For the fans: Go. Even if you don't like hockey, the atmosphere is unlike any other sporting event. It’s loud, it’s tribal, and it actually does some good in the world.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts
- Support the Foundations: Even if you can't make the game, look up the BackStoppers, NYPD With Arms Wide Open, or the FDNY Foundation. That’s where the ticket money goes.
- Follow the Heroes Cup: Keep an eye on regional tournament schedules to see a wider variety of teams.
- Start a Local Chapter: If your town doesn't have a game, reach out to your local fire and police unions. Start small—rent a local sheet for an hour and build the rivalry from the ground up.
These games aren't just about hockey. They are about the people who show up when things go wrong, finally getting a chance to play. And if they happen to smash a rival into the plexiglass along the way? Well, that’s just part of the show.
Actionable Insights for New Players:
If you are a first responder looking to join a guns and hoses team, your first move should be contacting your department’s athletic league or union representative. Most major departments have an "Athletic League" (like the NYPD AL) that sanctions these teams. If your department is too small, look into "Multi-Agency" teams that combine several local townships. This is how you build a roster that can actually compete with the big city squads. Focus on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to mimic the short, explosive bursts of a hockey shift—first responder fitness often focuses on endurance, but hockey requires raw, anaerobic power.