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Columbus Fire Team Dominates on First Responder Night

Staff Report / cbuslocal.org

**Columbus Fire Hockey Team Shines with 5-0 Victory on First Responder Night**

The Columbus Division of Fire hockey team claimed a decisive 5-0 victory over the Columbus Police hockey team during First Responder Night at Value City Arena on Saturday, February 15th. The matchup took place ahead of the Ohio State versus Wisconsin men's hockey game.

The evening began with a heartfelt tribute to Don Zender, founder of Hockey Helping Heroes, who passed away in June. To honor his legacy, Zender's longtime partner, Columbus Firefighter Doug Massey, participated in the ceremonial puck drop and presented the championship trophy to the Columbus Fire team. “It’s an honor to remember Don and something that he built,” said Massey, emphasizing the importance of continuing traditions created by Zender.

Though not an official Hockey Helping Heroes game, Massey expressed gratitude for the event’s efforts in honoring first responders and Zender's work. “I’m glad that it’s continuing in its own way, and hopefully we can come back and build things a little stronger and better,” he added.

Massey also reflected on Zender's legacy, describing him as “dedicated to the community” with a relentless drive to support first responders. “He worked so hard on all of this, and he just loved to help our first responders... I know that he’s going to be missed by a lot of people,” Massey noted.

Following the firefighters’ triumph, the evening continued with a matchup between Ohio State and Wisconsin. The pre-game ceremony included the presentation of Colors by the Columbus Fire and Columbus Police Honor Guard, with Fire Chief Jeffrey Happ and Sgt. James Fuqua performing the ceremonial puck drop. The Buckeyes capped off the night with a 4-2 victory over the Badgers.

Beyond the games, attendees explored educational displays by various first responder agencies. The Columbus Fire Community Risk Reduction unit offered hands-only CPR training, while attendees also met CPD therapy dogs Bodhi and Maverick, who were present to bring cheer to the event.

A portion of ticket sales supported NC4K (Nellie’s Champions for Kids), an organization that provides assistance to children with cancer and their families. NC4K is committed to ensuring "no kid fights cancer alone." For more information or to make a donation, visit NC4K.org.

Source: Columbus Division of Fire

Source Type: Fire

Source Location: Columbus

Feb 19, 2025 at 2:04 PM

Fire