Guns and Hoses Hockey

Click here (or on the photo) to see more photos from the 2013 Guns vs. Hoses hockey game that raised money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

For just the second time in 10 years, the Hoses beat the Guns.

This year’s game raised about $28,000! Thanks to everyone who came out to watch the game and a big thanks to all of our sponsors listed on the left side of this post.

We’ll have more information about tonight’s game in the days ahead, but wanted to get an update on the site right away. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Only two more days until the big game! And we have even more exciting news: Miss Smith Mountain Lake 2013 Nicole Wimmer will sing the National Anthem at Friday’s game! Not that you needed another reason to come to the game, but in case you did, here you go!

Miss Smith Mountain Lake Nicole Wimmer will sing the National Anthem at the 2013 Guns vs. Hoses hockey game.

Just when we thought our 10th anniversary game couldn’t get any more exciting, we have some news that’s going to up the ante: GAME-WORN JERSEYS!

These special edition jerseys will be worn during the game and then immediately raffled off, sweat and all, to the winning raffle tickets. Only 500 raffle tickets will be sold and you can only get them at the game. Each ticket costs $10, and you can buy as many as you can before we sell out.

So if you want a chance (or several chances) to win this very special jersey and support a great cause at the same time, get to the game early and get your raffle tickets before they run out.

The front of the special 10th anniversary hockey jersey to be worn by the Hoses team on Jan. 4, 2013.

The back of the special 10th anniversary hockey jersey to be worn by the Hoses team on Jan. 4, 2013.

Rick Kowalsky currently serves as the head coach of the AHL’s Albany Devils, the top minor league team of the New Jersey Devils.

Rick played for the Roanoke Express from 2001-2004 and made his second ECHL All-Star team in 2003, in which he served as a team captain.

In this video, Rick sends a message to the players, coaches, fans and supporters of the Guns & Hoses charity hockey game in Roanoke, Va., as they celebrate the game’s 10th anniversary on Jan. 4, 2013.

We’ve heard from several former Roanoke hockey players as we get closer to our 10th annual Guns & Hoses Hockey game. Today, we hear some words of support from Jason Clarke, who played for the Roanoke Express from 1994-1996.

Clarke was a fan favorite because of his agressive style of play. Clarke holds the Roanoke Express records for most penalty minutes in a single season (491) and for a career (958).

And now a message from Jason:

“I would like to say congrats to Guns & Hoses for their 10th year. I have donated my OHL jersey which I wore when I was 17 years old. I hope it raises money for a great cause. I really miss the Roanoke Valley — it was my favorite place to play. If it wasn’t for Frank Anzalone, I’m sure I would have retired there. Pack the round house!”

Die-hard Roanoke pro hockey fans probably remember the name Tim Christian. He played for the Roanoke Express from 1995 to 2000 and is the franchise’s all-time leading goal scorer, and is fourth in total points. We caught up with Tim to see where he is these days:

GnH: How long were you in Roanoke?

TC: I played in Roanoke from 1995-2000. We really enjoyed the city and the people there. We found out what “Southern Hospitality” was all about.

GnH: What did you think of the Roanoke area?

TC: My family and I will always hold a special place in our hearts for Roanoke, as both of our sons, Andrew (14) and Alex (12), were born there.

GnH: Are you still involved with hockey?

TC: I am an assistant coach at Lake Superior State University. We have been here 10 years, ever since we left Roanoke in 2002.

GnH: Any words of advice for our two teams for the showdown on Jan. 4?

TC: Good luck to both teams during this special event!

Thanks, Tim! And good luck to the Lake Superior State University hockey team this season!

Former Roanoke Express player Matt Odette congratulates Guns ‘n’ Hoses on 10 great years of raising awareness and money for the MDA.

Join us on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2013, for the 10th annual Guns vs. Hoses Charity Ice Hockey game at the Roanoke Civic Center.

Last year, the Guns beat the Hoses 5-1, before a record-setting crowd of more than 6,100 fans. The 2012 game also raised a record $27,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Through the first nine years, the Guns have won eight games. The Hoses won their only game in the series in 2009, but are poised and ready to stop the Guns’ current three-game winning streak. Regardless of who wins on the scoreboard come Jan. 4, the real winners are everyone who helps raise money for such a good cause.

So come out and support the teams and help us raise awareness and money to support the MDA!

Roanoke, VA — It was another record-setting year for the Guns vs. Hoses charity ice hockey game! The 9th annual game between area law enforcement and fire and rescue personnel set a new attendance record with 6,100 fans, topping last year’s crowd of 5,700. More importantly, the event raised a record $27,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, breaking last year’s total of $20,500.

The Guns won the game 5-1. It is their sixth straight win in the series. In fact, the Guns have won eight of the nine games played. Their lone loss came in 2009 when the Hoses won 6-2. As always, it was a scrappy game with some scuffles and even a “fight.” We’re happy to say that no arrests were made and no one needed any medical help from EMTs!

While the Guns may have won the game, the Hoses did come away with a victory of sorts. During an intermission, there was a “sexy” contest between the two teams during which, players skated to center ice and “danced” to the song “I’m sexy and I know it” by LMFAO. Some players shed their jerseys and pads and in the end, the crowd roared its approval for the Hoses thus crowning them the Sexiest Team on the Ice!

Everyone was a winner Saturday night! A record-setting crowd saw a great hockey game and in the process raised a record amount of money for a wonderful cause, MDA.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank all of the fans for coming out and making Saturday such a special night! We want to thank the players who put on another great game and played their hearts out (and for the sexy dancing)! And we also want to give a big THANK YOU to all of our sponsors to helped make the 9th Annual Guns vs. Hoses hockey game such a rousing success – we couldn’t do it without you! Please take some time to look at our list of sponsors (on the left) and send them a note thanking them for their support of such a great local event.

We’ll have pictures of the game coming soon, but if you have some you’d like to share, we encourage you to visit our Facebook page and post them there.