Submitted Photo Members of the Minot Police Department and Minot Fire Department pose for a picture after the annual Guns and Hoses Hockey Charity Game in 2023. This year’s game is on Saturday, April 13, at 3 p.m.

Fans headed to the Maya Arena for the final Minotauros home game on Saturday night might want to head to the rink a bit early. The 6th Annual Guns and Hoses Game (Isaac Louis Memorial Game) starts at 3 p.m. featuring hockey teams representing the Minot Police and Minot Fire Department.

Each year the departments pick a Minot resident who is struggling with medical bills or needs help in some other way.

“We had a guy in the fire department that played hockey with a buddy who’s kid got really sick, and then he talked to the PD,” said Devin Walter, with the Minot Fire Department. “We have a good working relationship with PD, and we said we should try and do something for this kid and his family.”

It was a lot of hard work the first year, and the departments have been trying to learn from year to year.

Andres Casarez, of the Minot Police Department, stressed how the game is a fun way to support the community.

“It’s nice being part of a community-based event, being able to raise money and having people from the community come out and see their local fire and police face off in a fun event.”

According to Casarez, the fire department has won the past couple years.

“We try not to let it get out of hand because we’re there just to have fun. We’re both competitive though, and it’s about bragging rights.”

Both departments stressed the event wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Minot community.

“I would like to give a shout out to the Tauros and Maysa Arena staff, and the Minot Hockey Boosters. They donate all the ice time. They take care of the workers and all the proceedings that happen with a hockey game,” said Walter.

In past years, the event has averaged raising approximately $15,000 for the community.

Proceeds from this year’s event will go to benefit Isaac Louis, a local nine year-old who recently passed away from medulloblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer.

Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door. Seating is first come, first served. There will also be a chuck-a-puck, 50/50 raffle and silent auction.