Criminals and arsonists better stay away from the Brennan Park Arena tonight (Mar. 16) as the annual RCMP and firefighters charity hockey game gets underway.
The rivalry begins anew at 7 p.m., and this year the RCMP have decided to turn up the heat - all in good fun, of course.
"It's a fun time and it's for a good cause," said RCMP Cpl. Dave Ritchie. "And we always have a good crowd."
Tired of losing, after dropping five straight to the Fire Rescue in previous years, the Squamish RCMP have decided to beef up their lineup, adding Kyle Ritchie to their roster. Kyle is Dave Ritchie's son and plays for the WHA's Squamish Cougars.
"He is a bit of a ringer," laughed Cpl. Ritchie. "But he's allowed because he's got some police in him - you have to have some association."
When informed about the ringer, Fire Chief Steve Virgent, who is coaching the firefighters team, was almost speechless. "Bastards! Those bastards!" was all he could say.
Virgent said his team will uphold the standards and fair play of the fire department.
"We won't bow so low as to put ringers on our team," he said.
Virgent predicts a good outcome, but then he has history on his side.
"I expect the firefighters will have a tough go, but will prevail."
Virgent said he has a card up his sleeve that will be more than the Mounties' ringers will be able to handle - the old timers' line.
"Between Jim Allan, Ron Ramage and Bob Fulton they have over a 180 years experience. They would be the line to watch," Virgent said.
Virgent will be looking for Mayor Ian Sutherland, who will be refereeing the game, to make some dodgy calls.
"We think he secretly wanted to be a police officer in his youth," he said. "But we certainly appreciate him coming forward to participate."
Virgent, who wants to keep his job after the game, is hoping Coun. Jeff McKenzie will keep Sutherland in line.
"Between the two of them we hope they'll award us a penalty shot," Virgent said, adding, without a trace of bitterness, last year the Mounties were awarded 10 penalty shots to the firefighters' zero.
The firefighters' team includes women - although not an all women's line as they had last year. Virgent said they hope to attract more women in the charity game to promote gender equality.
When asked whether the losing team has to buy the winners a round of beer at the bar, Virgent replied: "We've been hoping for the last six years."
The money raised will go to The Helping Hands Society, which runs the downtown homeless drop-in centre. Both sides are hoping to raise enough money to make a substantial contribution.
The Mounties have Logan Engel as their netminder, but the firefighters have their own "crackerjack" goalie who, Virgent thinks, will be one of the keys to winning the game. Tickets are by a minimum $2 donation and are available at either the fire hall or the RCMP detachment.
