Puck drops tonight in Battle of the Badges game

COEUR d’ALENE – Bragging rights are once again on the line when the Coeur d’Alene Police hockey team takes on the Spokane Police hockey team tonight in the third annual Battle of the Badges benefit hockey game.

Held at Frontier Ice Arena, 3525 W. Seltice Way in Coeur d’Alene, the rematch between these teams has been over a year in the making.

Jocelyn Whitfield-Babcock with Inland NW Heroes Inc. said she organized the first game in 2018 to assist in funding the K27 Memorial, which honors the late Coeur d'Alene Police Sgt. Greg Moore, who was killed in the line of duty on May 5, 2015.

After raising funds with the games in 2018 and 2019, the event was put on hold because the memorial had been fully funded — and also due to COVID-19.

Now thanks largely to the efforts of Kootenai County Sheriff’s deputy and “Mooriors” team organizer Matt Creighton, this year’s game is back on. Putting the puck in goal will help put dollars toward another worthy goal, Kootenai County Holidays and Heroes program.

“It’s quite an honor to be able to give back to the community that backs law enforcement so much and we are very thankful for everyone here,” Deputy Creighton said. “It’s just awesome to be put into this position to be able to give back to these kids and families, especially during tough times.”

Known in other areas as a “Shop-with-a-Cop” event, the Holidays and Heroes program has first responders take local children shopping during the holiday season; giving kids who wouldn’t normally be able to buy presents for themselves and family the opportunity to do so.

“Law enforcement and emergency service agencies from Kootenai County, along with numerous group and individual volunteers and sponsors, provided a festive and joyous holiday experience to 100+ children throughout our community,” Whitfield-Babcock said in a news release.

The Coeur d’Alene team is primarily composed of law enforcement personnel from the Coeur d’Alene Police Department, Post Falls Police Department, KCSO, and some family of the skaters.

The Spokane team has Spokane Police officers and Spokane Sheriff’s Department deputies on their roster.

Creighton, who grew up playing ice hockey in Coeur d’Alene and Spokane, is looking forward to playing the game he loves with close friends — and all for a good purpose.

“We’re just a family out there,” he said. “We want to play some hockey and give people a show for those that want to come out and support law enforcement and families in this community. We’re excited to play our game.”

Puck drops at 7 p.m. tonight. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/battle-of-the-badges-2021-tickets-140452821169) or at the door. Children 6 and under are free.

Raffle prizes and silent auction items can be viewed on the event’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/events/259485048906890/) and there will also be a 50/50 contest during the game. Beer from Rants and Raves out of Moscow will be for sale and the concession stand will be open to purchase food.