Puck drops in Guns & Hoses hockey game Friday

COEUR d'ALENE — While they may have to get along while diligently serving our community, it's a different story once they hit the ice.

Law enforcement and fire personnel from around North Idaho are set to battle it out this Friday at 6 p.m. during the fifth annual Guns & Hoses Charity hockey game to support Special Olympics Idaho.

Held at Frontier Ice Area, 3525 W. Seltice Way in Coeur d’Alene, event organizer and Kootenai County Sheriff's reserve deputy Matt Creighton is really looking forward to bringing back the classic rivalry game.

Conversations regarding the game began following last year's "Battle of the Badges" game, in which North Idaho law enforcement took on Spokane law enforcement and raised $5,300 for the Holidays and Heroes program.

"We had a great time with Battle of the Badges, but we decided that we wanted to bring back this one after so many years."

The last Guns & Hoses game was held in 2015 after the tragic shooting of Cd'A Police Sgt. Greg Moore.

For this year's benefiting charity, the teams and Inland Northwest Hero's Foundation have partnered up to support Special Olympics Idaho.

Creighton explained that the organization will be sending numerous athletes to the U.S. games being held this summer in Orlando, Fla. One of those athletes in particular will be the VIP guest of the Guns & Hoses game, Jacob Kerr, who qualified for the Special Olympics in golf. Creighton will play as his unified partner in the event.

"We are thrilled to be the beneficiary of the Guns and Hoses event," Special Olympics Idaho President and CEO Kristi Kraft said. "This will help fund our team Idaho Delegation attending the 2022 USA Games this June. We want to thank the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office and all our partnering law enforcement and fire agencies."

In addition to ticket sales, funds raised from the event's silent auction, firearm raffles, jersey raffle and beer/cider sales will go toward the cause.

Beverages will be provided by Mad Bomber Brewing Company, who also hosted a fundraiser for the event last Saturday.

"Mad Bomber made a brand new blueberry-pomegranate cider just for this event — red and blue coming together for a great cause," Creighton said.

As for the game itself, it's anticipated to be a high-energy affair with a tremendous amount of bragging rights on the line.

"The only thing I'm anticipating is how fast we're going to score our first goal," Creighton said with a smirk. "Let's just say they're going to have a tough time keeping up with us."

Kootenai County Fire & Rescue firefighter Adam Godwin is also excited to once again support a good cause, and isn't too concerned about his team's Friday competition.

"Cops usually talk a big game," Godwin chuckled. "We don't talk as much as they do and just let our game do the talking."

Tickets for the event can be purchased online at www.eventbrite.com/e/guns-vs-hoses-tickets-228749494897 for $8 or at the door for $10.

Creighton made sure to give a huge thanks to Inland Northwest Heros Foundation for giving him the support needed for this event. "They've been a huge help."

For more information on Special Olympics Idaho, visit their website at specialolympicsidaho.org.