Iqaluit firefighters put out RCMP flame by winning Guns and Hoses trophy

Iqaluit fire Chief Stephen McGean, left, and RCMP Chief Supt. Andrew Blackadar wish one another’s team well prior to the third annual Guns and Hoses charity hockey game, Nov. 30. (Photo courtesy of Jayden Mosesee)

Nunavut RCMP’s commanding officer plans to open an investigation into the RCMP’s loss to the Iqaluit Fire Department in Saturday’s Guns and Hoses charity hockey game.

“The Iqaluit Fire Department cheated,” Chief Supt. Andrew Blackadar said, moments after the firefighters beat the Iqaluit RCMP 4-3 in the third annual event.

“It’s fraud,” Blackadar joked.

But perhaps the crime was theft, given that the firefighters stole a trophy RCMP had locked up the previous two years.

Fans of first responders and hockey alike filled the stands — and a charitable food hamper — at the city’s Arctic Winter Games arena Nov. 30 as the teams faced off in a back-and-forth battle for bragging rights.

RCMP goaltender Jens Jeppesen stops a breakaway-in-progress Nov. 30 during the Guns and Hoses charity hockey game. (Photo by Daron Letts)

The teams traded shots on goal bracketed by breakaways on either side throughout a fast-paced first period.

Goaltenders Jens Jeppesen, a staff member at the Iqaluit RCMP detachment, and Connor Ogg on the firefighters’ side, proved bulletproof as pucks ricocheted off their padding. Each foiled numerous breakaways-in-progress throughout the evening.

But midway into the period, and again with minutes left before the buzzer, the firefighters broke through the thin blue line, scoring the first two goals of the game.

The RCMP turned up the heat early in the second period, peppering Ogg in a spray of slapshots and backhands from both sides of the net, scoring the team’s first goal on a wraparound.

The firefighters obstructed the Mounties’ momentum with a third goal a few minutes later.

The firefighters came in hot for the third period with the first of several collisions whose impact elicited a long, empathetic “ooooh” from the crowd.

Defenceman Robert Ikkidluak, former dispatcher at the firehall, brings the Guns and Hoses trophy to the Iqaluit Fire Department bench Nov. 30 after the team’s 4-3 win against the Iqaluit RCMP. (Photo by Daron Letts)

However, two more goals by the RCMP put the police back in control.

But in the final minutes when the RCMP goalie left his crease to apprehend the puck, a flood of firefighters caught Jeppesen flatfooted. They scored, robbing the RCMP of an opportunity for overtime.

“It was a very defensive game until the end,” said Lt. Nathan Link, president of the Iqaluit Firefighters Association, who finished with one goal and one assist.

“But this is our year. We wanted it real bad. The point was to bring the trophy back.”

The goal of supporting the community was also accomplished, said firefighter Taylor Clark, who earned an assist.

“We got the fans out and raised some money for charity,” she said. “It’s the best time.”

While it is unlikely Blackadar’s investigation will result in charges, several firefighters did serve time in the penalty box as the victorious team recorded four infractions for tripping and body contact in the first and third periods.

The event raised $620 for Movember mental health charities and a large hamper of food for Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre.

Blackadar agreed the charitable event was a big success for the community and thanked the firefighters for organizing the game.

The Iqaluit fire department and the Iqaluit Firefighters Association have also partnered with the City of Iqaluit to host a second charity drive this month.

On Dec. 7, they will collect donations of toys and non-perishable food from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Northmart, and then from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at Arctic Ventures.