Police withstand the heat, winning Bronze Nozzle in charity hockey game

The South Bruce OPP was able to withstand the heat, and the antics, brought on by the Kincardine Fire Department, to take the Bronze Nozzle, in the third annual Guns 'n' Hoses charity hockey game, Sunday afternoon at the Davidson Centre in Kincardine. All proceeds from the event go to the Kincardine Food Bank.
 

Just prior to the game, the firefighters welcomed young people to test their abilities at the Kids' Hockey Skills Zone, and then held a mock crash and auto extrication demonstration inside the skate park. The crash vehicle was supplied by Huron Auto Wreckers.

From there, it was inside the arena for the game which began with the Ecole Elgin Market Public School choir singing "O Canada," and the ceremonial puck drop by Bob Simpson of the Kincardine Food Bank. He was joined by acting inspector Mike Beatty, detachment commander of the South Bruce OPP; Kincardine deputy fire chief Steve Otterman, and team captains sergeant Paul Richardson and acting captain Mike Drake.

Cheryl Cottrill and Gary Stephenson of Kincardine each fired five shots into the net - at $20 per puck, they raised a total of $200 for the food bank.

The OPP team opened the scoring with a quick 2-0 lead over the firefighters in the first period. The police continued to take control of the game, leading 4-1 until some sketchy officiating late in the second period, allowed the firefighters to catch up, and it was a 5-4 game going into the final frame. At the end of regulation time, the score was tied, 6-6.

However, in a shoot-out, Derek King of the OPP squad, prevailed, and the police won the game, 7-6.

During intermission, the crowd was entertained by a puck toss, the Ripley-Huron Skating Club, the War of Edges - figure skaters versus hockey players, and the Fan Shoot for Cash.

Ultimately, the big winner was the food bank. The total amount raised for this worthy cause, will be announced later.