Reading Police & Fire Take on Allentown First Responders in Twelfth Annual Battle of the Badges Game

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals of the ECHL, the Reading Police and Fire Departments, and the Allentown Police and Fire Departments today jointly announced the details for Battle of the Badges XII and the quest to capture the coveted FirstStates Cup presented by FirstStates Financial Services.

For the first time in the twelve year history of the event, the Battle of the Badges game will pit a team comprised of law enforcement officers and fire department first responders from Reading and Berks County against a team similarly comprised from Allentown and the Lehigh Valley area. Up until this year, the Reading Fire Department had played the Reading Police Department in the Sunday matinee lead-up to a Royals’ game.

The “Reading v Allentown” version of the Battle of the Badges XII for the FirstStates Cup will kick off at 1:30 pm on Sunday, March 5, 2016, at Santander Arena immediately prior to the Royals showdown later that afternoon against the Norfolk Admirals (@ 5:00 pm).

“We’re thrilled with the new format for this year’s Battle of the Badges game,” said Royals’ Team President Drew Bell. “This event has always been a celebration of the people who serve, protect and courageously respond to the most difficult circumstances in the Berks County community. We’re proud to have this opportunity to expand our thanks to those who serve the same purpose in Allentown and the Lehigh Valley area. I’m confident that these two teams will be serious competitors on the ice, but I’m just as sure that, after the game is over, they all will continue to support each other in the invaluable services that they provide to each of us.”

Tickets to the Battle of the Badges double-header are currently available. One ticket gains entry into both games, and a portion of every ticket sold through the Royals’ website, www.royalshockey.com, will go to the Battle of the Badges Scholarship Fund established to benefit the children of firefighters and police officers.

At this season’s Battle of the Badges day, the first 1000 fans fourteen years of age and younger in attendance at the Royals’ game against the Norfolk Admirals will receive the “James Reimer Mini-Locker Room” (Number Three in a Series of Three) courtesy of Bethany Children’s Home.

History of the Battle of the Badges

The BOB Game was begun in 2006 as a benefit game played in remembrance of fallen Reading Police Officer Michael H. Wise II, who died in the line of duty in June of 2004, and Reading Police Officer Scott A. Wertz who was fatally wounded in the line of duty in August of 2006.  The game also raises funds for the police and fire departments scholarship funds.

Series

In the historical matchup between the Reading Fire Department and Reading Police Department, Fire leads the series 6-4-1.  Last season, the Reading police claimed their third win in the last four years, 6-2. In that game, the first half of action featured a natural hat-trick from Police Officer Pete Karpovich, who ended up with five goals in the game. The Fire Department pushed hard down the stretch, but a comeback just wasn’t in the cards.

Dates and Scores

February 19, 2006                   Fire                  3          Police              3 (tie)

February 18, 2007                   Fire                  4          Police              2

February 17, 2008                   Fire                  3          Police              2

February 15, 2009                   Fire                  4          Police              2

February 28, 2010                   Police             6          Fire                  0

February 17, 2011                   Fire                  3          Police              2 (shootout win)

February 26, 2012                   Fire                  3          Police              2

February 10, 2013                   Police              6          Fire                  2

March 16, 2014                       Police              8          Fire                  6

March 8, 2015                         Fire                  4          Police              3

March 6, 2016                         Police              6          Fire                  2

NEXT UP FOR THE ROYALS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2017

v SOUTH CAROLINA STINGRAYS

Santander Arena – Reading, PA (7:00 pm)

Thirsty-Thursday: $2.00 off Draft Beers from 6 – 7 pm

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2017

v NORFOLK ADMIRALS

Santander Arena – Reading, PA (7:00 pm)

SPECIAL OLYMPICS NIGHT

“Shake, Shiver & Freeze”

Fans Encouraged to bring a Bathing Suit and Towel

to take an Indoor “Polar Bear Plunge”!

Broadcast:

Broadcast Begins 30 Minutes Prior to Opening Face-Off

With Pre-Game Warm-Up Show

Digital Stream on iHeartRadio Rumba 1340 - Reading

Road Games Only: BCTV Telecast in Berks County, PA

(Comcast Reading Cable Channel 15, Service Electric Cable Channel 19,

Comcast Southern Berks Channel 965)

Pay-Per-View Streaming Video at ECHL.TV

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