{"id":41669,"date":"2026-03-30T15:14:43","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T15:14:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/41669\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T15:14:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T15:14:43","slug":"nypd-officers-in-brutal-fight-with-fire-department-rivals-as-annual-hockey-fundraiser-turns-ugly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/41669\/","title":{"rendered":"NYPD officers in brutal fight with fire department rivals as annual hockey fundraiser turns ugly"},"content":{"rendered":"

By BEN NAGLE, US SPORTS EDITOR<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 01:44 BST, 30 March 2026 | Updated: 04:26 BST, 30 March 2026 <\/p>\n

The NYPD’s annual hockey game against the FDNY descended into chaos on Sunday night after players from both teams dropped their sticks and started a massive brawl on the ice.<\/p>\n

Each year, New York’s police and fire departments face off in a legendary charity game in the Big Apple, but this year the players got more than they bargained for.<\/p>\n

With the game tied at 2-2 in front of a bumper crowd at the Islanders’ UBS Arena, tempers frayed between the green of the NYPD and the white and red of the FDNY.<\/p>\n

In a clip posted to social media, one of the firemen can be seen raining down punches on an opposing police officer – usually not a great idea! – before his teammates all steam in.<\/p>\n

What occurs next is a brutal brawl between both teams, as help arrives from both fire and police departments as the referees try – and fail – to break it up.<\/p>\n

Eventually the game continued, but on the final buzzer more violence was unleashed as the benches cleared and everyone got into it one final time on the ice.<\/p>\n

\"Police <\/p>\n

Police officers and firemen rained down punches on each other at UBS Arena in New York<\/p>\n

\"Referees <\/p>\n

Referees tried – and failed – to calm down the aggression during the annual charity game<\/p>\n

\"Helmets <\/p>\n

Helmets were tossed to the ice as players from both teams steamed in to join the violence<\/p>\n

While raising money for a good cause each year, it is not uncommon to see the amateur players throw some punches and chaos often reigns on the ice.<\/p>\n

Months of practice goes into the game for both teams, with it seen as a source of pride to be chosen to play in the historic game, which this year was being staged for the 52nd time.<\/p>\n

Speaking ahead of the game, newly-appointed NYPD captain George Antzoulis explained how seriously the players take it.<\/p>\n

‘Guys are missing work, missing overtime, missing things with their family, switching their tours around,’ he said, as reported by Outkick.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘Guys are staying at work for three days straight, going from hockey back to work, sleeping in the office, sleeping in chairs, sleeping in their cars in the parking lot.’<\/p>\n

In the end, this year’s clash was won 3-2 by the NYPD, giving them the bragging rights for at least another year until the 2027 showdown.<\/p>\n

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