MISSOULA — Missoula’s annual Fire on Ice fundraiser is almost here.
The Missoula City Fire Department team will take the ice against Wildland fire on Saturday, Feb. 8 and all proceeds from the game go to each team’s charity of choice.
"All the proceeds we raise from the game will be going to two charity’s basically," Missoula City senior firefighter Brett Cunniff said. "The Local 271 Benevolent Fund -- which is our general charity fund -- so we can dole it out as people come and ask. And Wildland will be donating to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation."
Two games are on tap between the two sides and with a silent auction, bottomless beer mugs and food, the night is sure to light anyone’s lamp. This year the format has been changed a little bit so wildland fire will get a chance to play in both games.
"We have had wildland the last six years actually. And they brought such good energy and contribution, fan base to the game that we decided to invite them for the second game as well," Cunniff added.
"We are very excited, excited to field two teams this year. And we have a bunch of people that are looking forward to playing, and they are coming from all over the place so they should be good games," Lolo Hot Shots superintendent Shawn Faiella said.
A new year means new flames for the rivalry, -- a rivalry that Wildland is hoping to make up some ground on.
"They are up three games to two, so we are hoping to even that up a litte bit. And then it’s 0-0 on the other side, so we will see what happens there," Faiella added.
"Actually, it’s a really good rivalry. A lot of the guys were friends from before they started on wildland crew, before they got hired with us," Cunniff told MTN News. "And we still maintain pretty good relationships with all the members of the other team."
The puck will drop for the free game at 6:00 p.m. on Feb. 8 at Glacier Ice Rink in Missoula. Click here for more information about the event.
