Bozeman, Mont. — Bozeman police officers and firefighters are set to take the ice at Haynes Pavilion on Friday, April 3, for the third annual Frozen Frontline hockey game.  

First responders from the Bozeman Police Department and the Bozeman Fire Department will trade emergency gear for skates and hockey sticks for a hockey game Friday evening at 7pm, as part of a community fundraiser.  

The event was started in Montana by Evergreen nonprofit co-founder John Stewart to bring the community together in support of first responders.  

“An annual police / fire hockey game is pretty prevalent in those parts of the country, so, and that’s where he was from in the Midwest, and he said it’s a huge turnout. People love to go out and do it, so let’s try it in Montana,” said Abram Antonucci, president of the Bozeman Police Foundation.  

Money raised from the game will go to the Bozeman Amateur Hockey Association scholarship fund, the Bozeman Police Foundation and the Bozeman Fire Fighters Benevolent Fund.  

Firefighters and Paramedic with the Bozeman Fire Department Paul Arnold explained that the two departments work closely together in their daily jobs and said that same teamwork carries onto the ice each year.  

“We have to work well with each other and you know, be a team, and the ice hockey is kind of the same thing, right? We’re getting to see people that we work with, but in a more like, fun, but still competitive nature and still includes teamwork, and, yeah its pretty awesome,” said Arnold.  

Bozeman Police Department patrol lieutenant Quinn Ellingson says that while the action on the ice is competitive, it’s the cause in which first responders are playing for that means the most.  

“Anytime we can fundraise to help the youth have more access to hockey in Bozeman I think that’s important so, in the end the score will be what the score is, but the biggest thing is just the underlying benefit to the community,” said Quinn Ellingson, patrol lieutenant with the Bozeman Police Department.  

The event is scheduled to begin at Haynes Pavillion with a community barbecue at 6 p.m. before the puck drops at 7p.m. 

Admission into this year’s frozen frontline game is donation based, with departments encouraging $5 dollar donations of either cash or card.