There were and still are many great rivalries in the history of the hockey world.
Several of them concerned the Montreal Canadiens, whether in the glorious years of CH against, among others, the Quebec Nordiques and the Boston Bruins, or more recently against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
There are always also regional rivalries, such as that of Pennsylvania between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers, or that between the three teams of the New York region (the Rangers, the Islanders and the Devils).
However, the problem in all these rivalries is that for a few years now, we have noticed that the rivalries of today are not at the same level as those of the good old days.
Indeed, the opposing players of the same rivalry do not really seem to hate each other as much, and we no longer feel as much tension as before between two teams.
In any case, if these rivalries no longer exist as before in the National Hockey League, elsewhere in the world of hockey, there are still a few.
I present to you this incredible almost 50-year-old rivalry between the New York Fire Department and the New York Police Department.
Each year, a charity hockey match takes place between these two New York departments.
Yesterday, let’s say that the 49th edition of this match did not disappoint.
Indeed, we were treated to many intense fights during the match, which really set the place on fire.
There’s a reason this charity game took place to a sold-out crowd at the New York Islanders’ home, UBS Arena.
Note that in addition to the impressive fights, there was a hockey game, and the latter was won by the New York firefighters 8 to 5.
It’s a really special event in New York between these two departments who work together on a regular basis in New York.
Seeing them leave aside their friendships in this way during a hockey game is therefore really a funny event not to be missed.
This rivalry is therefore one that has remained intact in terms of intensity, and that is also why it is one of the best rivalries in the world of hockey according to none other than Wayne Gretzky.
A lot of
– Very funny.
One down, one to go Toronto 😅
(H/T: @BlueJays) pic.twitter.com/fkcuFGShXe
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 16, 2023
– Regular season champions in the AHL in their first season in Calgary.
Best record in the regular season ✔️
The @AHLWranglers claim the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy and the Pacific Division title in their final game before postseason play. pic.twitter.com/YyRdJrUbZH
— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) April 16, 2023
– Big victory for Fernandez for Canada!
GAME. SET. MATCH. 🇨🇦@leylahfernandez and @GabyDabrowski win in straight sets to send @TennisCanada to a third straight @BJKCup Finals 🎾 pic.twitter.com/HzXfvKHWKL
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 16, 2023
– It may brew this summer in Pittsburgh.
Penguins Wrap: Playoff Streak Ends; Major Changes Start
— Dave Molinari (@MolinariPGH) April 16, 2023
– It’s crazy to think that there was a time when players got more than 200 points.
Most points in a season in the modern NHL pic.twitter.com/bek5zZ4Wvr
— SwissHabs (@SwissHabs) April 16, 2023