With 20,000 fans at Nassau Coliseum on Saturday, April 9th, the FDNY and NYPD Hockey teams put on a show for the ages. The annual classic between the two teams held special meaning this year, as 2011 marks the 10-year anniversary of the September 11th attacks, and the spirited play displayed by the two squads on the ice truly honored those lost on that fateful day. Prior to the game, MCU made a donation to the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund. Once the game began, intense, physical play highlighted a 6-5 FDNY victory that did not come without some controversy prior to the end result.

After a touching pre-game ceremony and tribute to the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice on September 11th, 2001, the on-ice action captivated the capacity crowd. The FDNY took an early lead to start the scoring in the contest, and the NYPD answered back to tie the score, which began the day's theme of a back-and-forth momentum shifting affair. With every goal and crushing blow from the FDNY came
a score or bone-jarring response from the NYPD. After a controversial no-goal call with two minutes left that kept the score at 5-4 FDNY instead of a commanding 6-4
lead, the NYPD scored to tie the game at 5-5 with 30 seconds left, ultimately forcing overtime.

Twenty-two seconds away from the game's first-ever shootout, the FDNY scored the decisive goal, and the celebration on and off the ice began for the Bravest and
their fans. Both the Bravest and Finest teams displayed why they are the cream of the crop of civil service hockey teams nationwide.

The Municipal Sports Series continues on Sunday, June 5th, as the NYPD and FDNY Football teams square off at Hofstra University.