The firefighters call it "mediocre hockey" for a great cause. But the Calgary Flames have nothing on these teams, and if you've ever been at the annual "Fire On Ice" mid-winter game at the Glacier Ice Rink, you know it's a lot more fun than that.

One could argue it's even the best hockey night in Missoula.

And certainly, it's become more competitive, as Missoula's city firefighters and the Wildland firefighters have gotten more and more competitive over the past dozen years of fun.

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Looking for "revenge"

This game is always a motivated affair, but more so this year the Local #271 team allowed last year's finale, the "Fire on Ice" game, to get away from them, dropping a 2-goal lead down the stretch.

Chris Kovatch photo
Chris Kovatch photo
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"It's just that that's how it played out," recalls Wildlander Cort Wallace, "I think everybody's going 110% good hockey, good fundraiser every year."

There's definitely parity between the teams with the two games," says MFD firefighter Brett Cunniff. "So the skill levels aren't significantly different and it's just it's good, good competition, good competitive games every year."

That's different from the past

It didn't start out that way. In early showdowns with the Fire on Ice game and the opener now called the "Urban Interface-Off" with Wildlanders and the "Bombearos," the wildland firefighters had to work harder. But in the past half-dozen years, both showdowns have become shootouts.

"Well, yeah, there's not a whole lot to do in the winter when you're wildland firefighter so hockey's the next best hockey's the next best thing," Wallace admits with a smile.

Chris Kovatch photo
Chris Kovatch photo
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Tens of thousands of dollars raised

Proceeds from the games, which all come from a great silent auction beverage sales and donations, are now over $100,000 raised for the series. The MFD teams use their funds to help out families and fire victims through "Fired Up For Kids". The Wildlands contribute their share to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, which helps injured firefighters, or families of those lost battling fires.

When is Fire on Ice in Missoula?

About two weeks sooner than usual as a scheduling conflict moved the firefighters' games to Friday, January 31st with the first puck dropping at 6 pm. As always, admission is free.

READ MORE: Fire on Ice Game Has Been Fun for Years

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Gallery Credit: Chris Wolfe