Police versus firefighters is an age-old rivalry. In Greenwich, that competition played out on ice at a charity hockey game at Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink on Sunday. This years victors were from the Greenwich Police Department.
Historically, the fire department has always whooped us, said Officer Daniel Palladino, who resurrected the game for the first time in seven years. This was our first time winning in a long time, so now we have big bragging rights.
The real winners are the kids who will benefit from the $1,000 raised for the Greenwich Parks and Recreation Scholarship Fund. Through the fund, Palladino said at least 10 kids would get to go to camp this summer.
The police department prevailed in the game, winning 3-2. Leading the team was Kyle ONeill, who scored two goals and was named most valuable player. Keith Mallatte, who registered a goal and an assist, led the fire department. Donald Mohr called the play-by-play.
All exaggerated contention between the departments aside, Palladino said the game helped build positive relationships. We skated once or twice a week and it gave us a chance to meet new guys and make new contacts we otherwise might not have made, he said. We want to plan for next years event and maybe even play other sports to raise more money for Greenwich charities.
Which department would you root for in a game?
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