When a group of police officers and firefighters started planning a hockey showdown more than six years ago, the sides quickly agreed on some basics. First, they wanted to raise money for a local charity, and second, they really liked the idea of knocking each other around a bit and talking a little trash.
This afternoon, they get another chance. Teams made up of first responders from virtually every area city will play at Scope Arena to benefit a new program at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters. Faceoff is at 3:45 p.m., and the $15 admission also buys a ticket for the Norfolk Admirals-Hershey Bears game that follows.
"The cops are in trouble, that is correct," deadpanned Norfolk Fire Capt. Glen Williams, alluding to a couple of secret weapons, including a former NHL player who recently finished the fire academy and a former Admirals player now with Norfolk Fire-Rescue.
More than anything, Williams and his police counterpart, Norfolk Sgt. Rich Deleo, wanted to talk about the charity. All proceeds from the event - including ticket and T-shirt sales and corporate sponsorships - will be designated for a new hospital training program for caregivers.
Shannon Hood, the child life manager at CHKD, said the program will train parents, grandparents and others who care for children in the hospital on parenting and coping skills, part of a nationwide movement.
Garry Landreth, who founded the Center for Play Therapy at the University of North Texas in 1988, will train hospital staff members, and they in turn will work directly with parents and children.
"It's really nice to have this relationship with them," Hood said of the first responders. "This really matches our approach of reaching out to the community." The therapy typically lasts 10 sessions and uses play to help caregivers and patients handle difficult situations.
Proceeds also will help buy specialized tool kits for the play therapy, which cost $75 each and must be replenished often.
In the match's first five years, the first responders raised $57,700, but both sides expect record revenue this year.
"Everybody's put a lot of effort into it, selling tickets, and getting the word out," Deleo said. "The attendance has increased every year, and last year, we had about 2,000 people. It's for a great cause, and that's the bottom line. And it's nice to see this money will have a direct impact this year."
On Thursday afternoon, firefighters got in a final practice at Iceland in Virginia Beach. The stars - whom Williams wouldn't identify because they are still on work probation - didn't attend, but overall, the team looked good. Maybe not enough to justify all the trash-talking, but not bad. Firefighters have a series edge of four games to one.
"I started playing on teams when I was 5 and have been skating ever since," said Virginia Beach firefighter Tom Stone, who plays in a local over-30 league. "I have two young kids myself, and I know how important this hospital is, so it feels good."
John Holland, 757 222-5047, john.holland@pilotonline.com