NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – The annual Guns vs. Hoses between police and Wilmington firefighters has been canceled due to COVID-19. Therefore, a summer event was held at the Wilmington Ice House on Sunday to keep fans engaged.

“The energy in the arena is always great,” said Alan DeSerres, Port City Fire player. “People are banging on walls, people are banging on glass.”

The showdown included three exhibition matches with teams from the Wilmington Police and Fire Department, the Wounded Warriors Project and the United States Marine Corps.

Family members of the players say the sport is a good outlet.

“You just need a place to let go of that extra energy and frustration,” said hockey mom Carolyn Hannon. “Turn away from what could have been a bad day just to bring the good back into your life. “

All proceeds from the event will be used to support youth hockey programs in the Wilmington and New Hanover County area. Event attendees were happy to help the area’s hockey community, a sport that parents say doesn’t come cheap.

“Hockey is a very expensive sport,” Hannon said. “People don’t realize that between the equipment and the ice time and everything in between, it costs a lot of money.

The grand finale was a match between the Wilmington Police and the Fire Department. The players say the game is a notable rivalry.

“It’s either you’re red or you’re blue,” DeSerres said. “It’s definitely divided in the crowd and it’s always a fun time.”

The Guns vs. Hoses is scheduled for next March with an official date to be announced.

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