The annual charitable event, now in its sixth year, raises funds for people in need. While members of both teams are united in that purpose, that unity ends on the ice. Each side wants to win.

"They take this all very seriously," says E Center spokesman Adian Denny. "The players practice during the early morning, all year long, to get ready for this competition."

Firefighters have an edge over police in the event.

"The firemen have beaten the police officers [every year] except last year . . . so this game is very important," says Salt Lake City police officer Lisa Pascadlo.

Police donned blue and firefighters dressed in red for this year's tilt. Family and friends of the officers filled the stands and yelled encouragement and some smack.

Just participating in the contest was an honor for officers on both teams. To qualify to play, the participants had to sell a large number of tickets. Once the game began, the players were all business.

"They are all hockey players first," says Sherri Jamieson, wife of Kaysville fire officer Matt Jamieson, a former Davis High School hockey player who played goalie on the firefighters' team. "They always come home pretty bruised and sore."

Firefighters emerged victorious in the hotly contested game, which featured hard body checks, tense penalty shots and feisty players cooling off in the penalty box.

Besides battling on the ice every year, Guns and Hoses participants play softball, arena football and run in races to raise funds. The money generated by such contests has gone to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation, the Intermountain Burn Camp for Children and to help children with diabetes. In addition, money from raffles held during Guns and Hoses events help the families of officers who are killed or severely injured in the line of duty.

On the Internet

For more information about Guns and Hoses of Utah, consult the Web at gunsandhosesofutah.com