Free skate with first responders followed by police, fire v. SHS alums hockey game

Teams made up of firefighters and police vs. Spaulding alums take to the ice during a recent game at the Rochester Arena. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - The longstanding tradition of the Rochester Police and Fire Guns and Hoses hockey game may have changed, but the impetus behind the event remains the same: to have some wholesome family friendly fun while collecting food donations for the needy.
"For many years retired and active Rochester firefighters and police would play an annual charity game against each other," said Rochester Police spokesman Jeremy Aucoin, "but in more recent years fewer and fewer from both departments are playing, so we made a change."
The change was to combine a squad made up of police and firefighters to go up against a team of Spaulding High School alums.
In the past few years the event has also been held in conjunction with "Skate with a First Responder" that precedes the hockey game, during which youngsters can get free skates and free admission to the Rochester Arena ice.
"The idea is to get families out to the arena, where the kids skate for free for a couple of hours and then they and the parents stay and watch the game," noted Aucoin.
The fun begins this Sunday with the free skate from 2-4 p.m. followed by the hockey tilt between police and fire, and the Spaulding alums.
Aucoin said a lot of retired police officers and firefighters will come back to play in the game, which begins at 4 p.m. after the free skate.
He said during the hockey game the Rochester Police Benevolent Association will be accepting donations of snack and single-serve foods for the SHS Raiders Pantry. Donations are encouraged but not required for entry.
"It's a nice event to bring the community together with the first responders," said Aucoin.
The Rochester Arena is located at 63 Lowell St.