In a nail-biting finish, the police team edged out the firefighters 7-6 at Sunday’s Annual Aquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game, keeping their winning streak alive for the fourth year running.
St. George’s Ice Rink was packed with over 200 fans cheering on first responders from Newport, Middletown, and Portsmouth.
This year’s game was about more than just bragging rights. It’s raised money for Rémi Vasallo, a 3-year-old Middletown resident fighting a tough battle with a complex heart defect. The event also shined a light on mental health support for first responders.
Rémi and his mom, Elizabeth Vassallo, got things started with the ceremonial puck drop.
The Middletown FOP Lodge 21 shared on Facebook, “Rémi had his first surgery when he was just four months old, and the recovery was rough. His little body went through so much, but his incredible strength and fighting spirit pulled him through.”
Some of the money raised is going to the Rhode Island chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, teaming up with NoSolo Brand.
It wasn’t all serious business, though. Kids got in on the action with a “Chuck a Duck” contest, and there were plenty of raffles to keep things exciting. Anyone feeling hungry could grab a bite from Hilltop Sports Snack Bar.
Organizers asked for a $10 donation per person or $20 for families at the door.
The turnout was so good that they had to set up overflow parking at the Surfer’s End lot, with shuttles running to the rink.
What’sUpNewp photographer Justin Walker was on hand for the game and shares the following photo gallery.
Aquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERBen Welch, Newport Fire #1. Aquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: Justin L WalkerAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERJoey Mitchell, Middletown Fire #18 Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: Justin L WalkerAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: Justin L WalkerAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERJoey Lavallee, Newport POlice #9 and Erin Dubis, Newport Fire #24. Aquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: Justin L WalkerTyler Trott, Middletown Police #37. Aquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: Justin L WalkerAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERElizabeth Vassallo (Rémi’s mother) and Rémi Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: Justin L WalkerAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: Justin L WalkerAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERElizabeth Vassallo (Rémi’s mother) and Rémi. Aquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: Justin L WalkerAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: Justin L WalkerAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: Justin L WalkerElizabeth Vassallo (Rémi’s mother) and Rémi. Aquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERElizabeth Vassallo (Rémi’s mother) and Rémi. Aquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: Justin L WalkerAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: Justin L WalkerAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: Justin L WalkerAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: Justin L WalkerAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: Justin L WalkerAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: Justin L WalkerAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: Justin L WalkerAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: Justin L WalkerAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: JUSTIN L WALKERAquidneck Island Guns N’ Hoses Hockey Game on Sunday, January 19. Credit: Justin L Walker
Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020).
He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide.
Ryan...
More by Ryan Belmore
Justin Walker is a Newport County native who specializes in sports, portraits, weddings and events as a freelance photographer around New England. Justin has over a decade of experience starting in college covering high profile events, collegiate and professional sports in Washington, D.C. His photojournalism and freelance work can be seen in various local and national publications. Check out his work at justinlwalkerphotography.com!
More by Justin Walker
