It’s His Cup Now

The newly-reinstated rookie scored. The cop of the year had been on the ice for the old-timers’ game. The police ice hockey squad even raced to a 3 – 1 lead, setting the city’s firefighters back on their heels.

It wasn’t enough. Bolstered by a string of five goals in the late second and early third periods, city firefighters stormed to a 9 – 6 win in the Chief’s Cup contest, earning a a one-game lead in the annual series — and big-time bragging rights.

Saturday’s match, the 15th time the police and firefighters have squared off, was a charity game.

In the stands of Yale’s Ingalls Rink, and outside in the bright sunshine, it was also a social event, complete with grilled sausages and draft beer. Wives, girlfriends and daughters wore NHPD and NHFD jerseys from past contests; little boys donned Chief’s Cup knit hats.

On the ice, it was dead serious. Guys who have played with — and sometimes against — one another since they were kids had the chance to settle old scores, or start new rivalries. While both teams featured a few players from outside New Haven, everyone was conscious of what it meant to wear the police or fire sweater.

For the next 12 months, at least, the firefighters are on top.

“They know it’s a charity game, but everybody wants to win,” said fire Lt. Rob Celentano, who said he had some choice words for his squad after the first period, when the cops held a 2 – 1 lead.

Clutching the trophy, Celentano took a jovial poke at one of the leaders of the police squad, Sgt. Herb Johnson.

“I want Herbie to know there’s no hard feelings,” he said. ​“I know his mother is crying in the stands now.”

Despite coughing up leads in both the Chief’s Cup game and the earlier Elm City Cup contest (also known as the old-timers’ game), the police squad had some high points. The biggest feel-good moment came early in the second period when Officer Mike Pepe (pictured) scored on a rebound shot right at the mouth of the goal.

Pepe had already practiced with the team, and bought his $150 uniform, when he was laid off along with 15 other officers Feb. 17. Pepe was planning to play anyway, alongside Dave Schaefer, who also lost his job. But last week, Pepe got the news that he was being rehired. Schaefer has landed a job, too, with the West Haven department.

Pepe’s goal drew the biggest cheer of the afternoon from the crowd.

Other players had their cheering sections, too. Officer Eddie Morrone was honored before the main game as the department’s cop of the year. After a few years away from the hockey rink, he donned a uniform and played in the old-timers’ game.

It was the first time Morrone’s girlfriend, Lisa Brecklin, got to see him skate. She said she was proud and delighted.

“He’s kind of modest, though. I don’t think he’s going to like it too much,” said Brecklin, decked out in a blue NHPD sweater from a past game.

Morrone said it felt great to be honored — and to get back out on the ice. He used to play with the Chief’s Cup squad and was a member of the team for the first police-fire game in 1997.

“They’re not going to be able to get rid of me now,” he said, laughing.

Morrone’s father, Edward, who retired as New Haven’s police chief three decades ago, was also in the stands Saturday. He said he tried to talk his son out of playing, for fear of injury, but enjoyed seeing him and the chance to catch up with old friends.

“It’s nice to see my son getting some recognition,” he said, although pride didn’t stop him from issuing a mild critique of the Elm City Cup.

“I can’t believe they blew a three-goal lead,” he said.

Fire Capt. Tony Gallicchio (pictured) used to face Morrone in the Chief’s Cup. In fact, the two go all the way back to their school days. Gallicchio, who was the firefighter of the year, said he wasn’t sorry to be off the ice.

“I’m retired from playing,” he said. ​“I played for a lot of years.”

The games are fun, but are by no means mellow, he said.

“I mean, they’re all friends, they’ve been friends for years, they’ve played together,” Gallicchio said. ​“But when they get out there, sometimes it gets a little intense.”

The pressure was especially high for the two goalies, who were peppered with shots. The fire department featured several offensive players with particularly high-level skills: North Haven firefighter Mike Pomichter, who scored once and had multiple assists, was drafted by the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks. Todd Hall, pictured, who netted two goals, is an assistant coach at Hamden High School and works for the Westport fire department.

As soon as the final horn sounded, though, the competitiveness eased. Children poured on to the ice for the post-game free skate, some of them with sticks and pucks of their own. Cops and firefighters took their toddlers for a spin around the rink, while fans still in street shoes headed back outside.

Putting the friendly rivalry aside, Celentano said, everyone involved puts in a ton of work — and is committed to the goal of helping and honoring their brethren.

Proceeds from the event will go to police Officer Peter Krause, who’s battling brain cancer, and the families of two Bridgeport firefighters who died fighting a blaze last summer. The teams also donated a big-screen television and video game system to kids at the Hospital of St. Raphael.

Police Lt. Holly Wasilewski, who is fighting breast cancer, dropped the ceremonial first puck Saturday.

“It was a great day,” Celentano said.