Hockey Night in Kitimat

Guns win annual charity hockey match 7-4

The Kitimat Guns vs. Hoses charity hockey game on Feb 10 2024. Guns in green and Hoses in black. (Hunter Wild/The Skeena Reporter)

Sparky greets adoring fans. (Hunter Wild/ The Skeena Reporter)

The annual Guns and Hoses Hockey game is a beloved community tradition in Kitimat. Last year, the firefighters got a taste of victory, and the event raised around $10,000 for the KidSport charity. KidSport helps provide financial support to local families and allows kids to participate in their favourite sports. This is the second year the game has gone ahead since the pandemic. The game last night was played at the Tamitik arena in Kitimat.

The Guns scored the first goal of the evening, followed quickly by a goal from #34, Jamie Waikta of the Hoses. The Guns scored two more goals, and by the end of the first period, the score was 3 to 1 in favour of the Guns.

Timbits hockey players showing off their skills. (Hunter Wild/The Skeena Reporter)

The adorable Timbits hockey players showed off their skills during the break between the first and second periods.

Safety Bear flexing at an unintimidated child. (Hunter Wild/The Skeena Reporter)

Then the first goal of the second period was scored by Firefighter #23 Tayden Fowler-McNab, assisted by #42 Jordan Venditelli from Prince Rupert.

The Guns then scored two back-to-back goals from #18 Lucas Aiken of RTA Securiguard, assisted by #96 Jordan Sheasgreen, also from RTA. Then a hat trick from #18, assisted again by #96. The score at the end of the second period was 5 to 3 for the Guns.

Two young skaters from the Snow Valley Skating Club paying homage to Mary Poppins. (Hunter Wild/The Skeena Reporter)

There were two impressive live figure skating demonstrations from Snow Valley Skating Club, followed by the airplane toss during the second intermission.

A talented figure skater from the Snow Valley Skating Club preforming during intermission. (Hunter Wild/The Skeena Reporter)

Team mascots Safety Bear and Sparky the Dog hyping up the crowd during the airplane toss. (Hunter Wild/The Skeena Reporter)

Then the first goal of the third period was scored by firefighter #7 Brandon Maag, assisted by #23 and #42.

This was quickly followed by another goal for the Guns, scored again by #18.

Then another goal for the Guns, scored by #88 Constable James Fennema.

Emotions were running high during the last five minutes of the game. One of the Hoses screamed at the Guns, “[Expletive] off! Go back to the zoo, you [expletive] giraffe,” while holding a child. Other children who were nearby heard this and laughed.

The game ended shortly after #7 Conservation Officer Michael Geuze scored an unassisted goal, bringing the score to 4-7 for the Guns.

“It was a good game; wrong team won but that’s alright, that’s the way it goes sometimes. At the end of the day, it’s not about the game, it’s about the charity,” said Trent Bossence, the Kitimat Fire Chief.

Many community members helped make the event a success. From the cadets enthusiastically encouraging donations, to the intermission performances and all of the hardworking volunteers and venue staff, it was a fantastic showcase of community engagement and a fun demonstration of sportsmanship and quality gameplay from the town’s heroes.

Players, mascots and referees shaking hands at the end of the game. (Hunter Wild/The Skeena Reporter)