Last weekend, South Boston’s Murphy Skating Rink was the site of some of the best hockey action since last year’s Stanley Cup finals. It was the Second Annual City Classic NHL ‘Battle of the Badges’ (Based on the National Hockey League Classic). The lineup consisted of excellent and very talented teams ready to lock horns and go at each other and it was all for a good cause. The teams in the tournament were Boston Police Department, Boston Fire Department, Massachusetts State Police, Cambridge Fire Department, New York City Fire Department, Toronto Police Department and the Detroit Police Department.
On hand to drop the ceremonial first puck in the game between the Boston Police Team (BPD) and the York City Fire Department (FDNY) were Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross.
This game was a fast-moving contest highlighting speed and amazing team work by both clubs. They both wanted it bad and they were giving no quarter. Great defense and offense by both teams was clearly on display. And though the playing was aggressive and hard hitting, everyone on the ice was enjoying themselves. And even though the home team came up short in this game – New York took it 5-2 – Boston gave a great effort and made the Boston fans in the crowded rink proud.
The great Teddy Cunniff was on site making sure that everyone from every team had everything they needed. Local elected Officials State Representative David Biele, and Boston City Councilors Michael Flaherty and Ed Flynn were among the enthusiastic crowd of spectators enjoying the action-packed event. Each team player received a gift bag containing a tournament jacket, a grill spatula in the shape of a hockey stick with a bottle opener on the end.
This tournament was a huge success and participants as well as spectators look forward to next year for the ‘Third Annual Battle of the Badges’. This event is sure to be a tradition that will be carried on for many years to come.
