On Saturday, April 30, UBS Arena hosted the 48th FDNY vs NYPD Ice Hockey Heroes game. Every year, the New York City Fire Department Hockey Team and the City of New York Police Department Hockey Club go head-to-head. It is a huge game amongst the departments that has a sell-out crowd nearly every year. It is said that the two teams do not care about their season’s record as much as they do the outcome of this single game.

Sold-Out Crowd

This was UBS Arena’s first time hosting the FDNY vs NYPD game and it did not disappoint. The game was completely sold-out, so UBS Arena was packed with people. It was nearly impossible to maneuver through the lower concourse as everyone was shoulder-to-shoulder. The arena did not even look this full for most Islanders’ games.

The atmosphere inside UBS Arena was electric. The only comparison would be if the Islanders were playing the Rangers in a postseason series. Everyone in attendance of the FDNY vs NYPD game got rally towels, as well, which added to the energy.

Pre-Game Ceremony

Prior to the game, there was a ceremony to thank everyone who made the game happen and to honor fallen FDNY and NYPD members. UBS Arena recognized FDNY and NYPD members who had lost their lives to COVID-19, line of duty and Sept. 11-related illnesses.  

There were also seven heroes who had a special tribute as they had recently lost their lives while on duty: Police Officer Anastasios Tsakos, Police Officer Jason Rivera, Police Officer Wilbert Mora, Firefighter Vincent Malveaux, FDNY Lieutenant Joseph Maiello, Firefighter Jesse Gerhard and Firefighter Timothy Klein. 

To conclude the ceremony, Officer Rivera’s, Officer Mora’s and Firefighter Gerhard’s families were all brought on the ice to partake in a ceremonial puck drop. 

Game Recap

While the first period of the game may have remained scoreless, it was certainly entertaining. Both teams generated a lot of quality shots on goal and had a power-play. The FDNY and NYPD teams’ rivalry is like the Islanders and Rangers. Players were laying big hits on each other and fighting during all three periods. This riled the crowd up and in my opinion, made the atmosphere better than any Islanders’ game at UBS Arena during the 2021-22 NHL season. 

Both teams made their way onto the scoresheet in the second period. Less than four minutes into the period, the FDNY turned the puck over in the neutral zone which led to a two-on-one for the NYPD. The NYPD capitalized on the opportunity and scored 3:24 into the period. 

In such a low-scoring game, the FDNY was eager to get a goal so they could at least go into the third period tied. With 53 seconds remaining, the police department was penalized for holding. The FDNY was finally able to get on the scoreboard with a power-play goal with less than 30 seconds remaining in the frame. 

The third period consisted of one disallowed goal for each team. The NYPD netted one at 9:14 but it was called off because the puck was kicked into the goal. The FDNY then got the puck in the net at 15:40, but it was immediately waved off due to goaltender interference. The third period ended the same way it started — tied at one. 

Just like an NHL playoff game, a tie called for a 20-minute overtime. Less than three minutes in, the NYPD turned the puck over in the FDNY’s defensive zone. The fire department then carried the puck out and scored the game-winner 2:31 into overtime. The crowd went insane — you would have thought the FDNY just won a game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  

Intermission Tribute Videos 

While the FDNY vs NYPD hockey game may have been streamed on YouTube, there were some things that were not shown on the broadcast. During both intermissions, a beautiful tribute video was shown for two fallen firemen.

During the first intermission, a video was shown for Firefighter Timothy Klein. Klein passed away on April 24 while responding to a three-alarm fire in Canarsie, Brooklyn. Klein was the second member from Ladder Company 170 killed in the line of duty in just over three years. 

During the second intermission, Firefighter Jesse Gerhard was also honored with a video. FF Gerhard was a member of Ladder Company 134 in Far Rockaway. He passed away at his firehouse a day after responding to a two-alarm house fire. 

Friends and coworkers of firefighters Klein and Gerhard had nothing but amazing things to say about them. They both lost their lives while saving others. 

On behalf of Drive4Five, we thank FDNY and NYPD members for their acts of selflessness and bravery.

Maisy Healy

I am a huge Islanders fan and love spreading my passion for the team here at Drive4Five.  Along with writing, I also co-manage the Drive4Five TikTok and Facebook accounts.