Robert Liberge has been a patrol officer with the Lynn Police Department for about a year-and-a-half. Back in the fall, he and a few others had an idea.

“Me and a couple of the younger guys from the department were talking,” said Liberge, who often spends Thursday nights playing pickup hockey at Connery Rink. “We were like, ‘Why don’t we try and set up a big-time game for a charity or what not?’”

From there, he got in touch with a few people from the Lynn Fire Department: Tony Uva and Doug Surette. 

“One of my sergeants, Gary Hagerty, and I started formulating a plan together and it just kept coming along,” Liberge said.

It certainly did. Saturday night at Connery Rink saw the Lynn Police and Fire Departments square off in a hockey game, showcasing community spirit and camaraderie among local first responders.

Money raised from the event went to Children’s Special Olympics, as well as Probation Officer Jeff January, who suffered third-degree burns in a house fire. 

“We weren’t really sure how much money we would raise. We were thinking maybe $5,000 or $6,000,” Liberge said. “But we started doing raffles, game tickets, pucks, and, I think, after last night the total was around $15,000… It looks like we jumped up to that number, which is way more than we ever could have imagined.”

The game itself – Lynn’s first Fire vs. Police game in 10 years, according to Liberge – went to the Fire Department, 8-1, after a scoreless first period. 

“It was good for two periods… But, at the end of the day, it didn’t even matter what the score was. It was just an all-around great night,” Liberge said. “It looked like everyone had fun – a couple tussles here and there between the two teams, but, all and all, we’re one team.”

Goal-scorers included Bobby Correale from Team Police, and Jim Mamos (2), Tim Leighton, Dave Stevens, Joel Abreu, and Tim Borders from Team Fire.

When asked about the balance between competition and fun, a chuckling Liberge admitted to a little bit of both.

“It definitely got a little gritty there,” he said. “A couple hits started going back and forth and you’re like, ‘OK, this is it. We’re game on right now.’”

Plus, more than 700 people flooded the rink to watch, according to Liberge.

“The attendance… I couldn’t believe how many people were there,” said Liberge, who also hooked the fans up with a visit from Blades the Bruin. “It was a great environment. There were so many people there, not just donating towards a great cause, but bringing the community together.”

Liberge said he’s “hopeful that we can try and do this again next year.”

“It’s a nice family-fun Saturday night event to go to,” he said. “I didn’t expect to have such a great crowd.”

            Rosters/Staff

Team Police – Team Fire

Coaches: Chris Kelly and Nick Bona

Referees: Joe Lorusso and Dan Reddick

National Anthem: Beth Sullivan

DJ: Anthony Arone

Announcer: Jim Beliveau