Charity First, Then Competition

When police officers and firefighters hit the ice for Saturday’s 15th annual Chief’s Cup, there will be no room for niceties: The hockey series is knotted at seven wins apiece, and both camps are eager to prevail.

But on Thursday, representatives from the two sides were unified as they dropped in on kids and teens with psychiatric illnesses at The Hospital of St. Raphael. The small crew donated a 51-inch television and a video game system at an outpatient center.

Up until last year, the beneficiaries of the money raised through ticket sales at the annual game went just to the families of needy cops or firefighters. But the group gave to the family of a sick child last year, and wanted to help St. Ray’s this time around, said NHPD Capt. Patrick Redding.

Decked out in their jerseys, the officers and firefighters engaged in a bit of playful taunting, promising tough play — if not teeth — on the ice Saturday.

“We work together well when we’re raising money, but in the game I can’t stand ​‘em,” joked fire Lt. Rob Celentano.

The Elm City Cup, also known as the old-timers’ game, is set for noon at Yale’s Ingalls Rink. The puck drops on the main event at 1:30.

Adult tickets are $20, and kids get in free. There’s also a free skate-around after the games. More information is available on the game’s Facebook page.

Jennifer Barba, director of child and adolescent psychiatric services at the hospital, called the donation a boon for the youngsters at the outpatient center. But even more important was the chance to see the cops and firefighters, she said, who can inspire with their professionalism and work ethic.

“Having them come in and do a nice charitable event is a good model for the children,” Barba said.

Redding said the game started in 1997 with 100 fans at the old New Haven Coliseum. On Saturday, he’s anticipating a crowd of 2,000 or more.

In addition to the St. Ray’s donation, the proceeds from the fundraiser will go to NHPD Officer Peter Krause and the families of two Bridgeport firefighters, Lt. Steven Velasquez and Michel Baik, who died in a blaze last summer.

Two men will also be honored for outstanding work over the past year: police Officer Edward Morrone and fire Capt. Tony Gallicchio.

The players take the game seriously: Redding joked that hockey skills are a requirement for joining the police force, and both he and Celentano could rattle off teammates who played in college or even professionally. For example, the firefighters’ squad features dangerous left wing Mike Pomichter, from the North Haven department. Pomichter was drafted by the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks and played in the minor leagues for the New Haven Beast.