Sachem Alums Play in FDNY-NYPD Hockey Game

At first I hoped to just enjoy a few hours of hockey at the Nassau Coliseum. Instead of watching my dreadful Islanders, I hoped to see an entertaining FDNY-NYPD hockey game. If the hockey wasn't good, I thought, there was bound to be a solid fight and hefty loads of profanity thrown around.

It was fantastic as always, but then a few names caught my attention in the game program. Just when I thought Sachem was far enough away that I couldn't manage to squeeze an article out, I saw that the Suffolk County High School Hockey League posted an add, honoring its former players - three of which are from Sachem and play for the NYPD: Gary Haber, C.J. Barhold and Brian Andruskziewicz.

Before the game, Holbrook resident and U.S. Army Ranger Christopher Levy was among the many veterans honored on the ice. He was injured and lost both of his legs at war when his Humvee was hit with an IED in 2008.

Quickly I forgot about hockey and thought about Sachem. We have three police officers playing and one soldier in attendance. Between chants of Dunkin' Donuts and screams from one side of the Coliseum to the next was a friendly battle between two groups of well-respective individuals.

The fire-police hockey game began in 1973 and for the last 37 years both units have squared off for fans that love to support their side. Though it was already popular before the FX TV series Rescue Me came out, many more people became aware of the athletic rivalry thanks to Dennis Leary and his character Tommy Gavin.

The FDNY jumped out to an early 7-0 and it wasn't much of a game after long. Aside from a few solid hits, some humorous jeers swirling around the stands and watching the castaways wandering in from the beerfest taking place in the bowls of the Coliseum on Saturday, what mattered most to me was the Sachem connection. 

It shows how big this community is and widespread its many talented, successful and respected natives have become.

Ice chips: On a side note, Kevin Higgins, the brother of NHL player Chris Higgins, plays for the NYPD team. Chris, a native of Smithtown, was on the Rangers earlier this season before being traded to the Calgary Flames. Their father played for the FDNY team for a number of years.