Canadian Armed Forces Base Shilo hockey team faced off against Brandon Fire and Emergency Services in the 2025 epic Battle of the Badges ice competition with BFES taking home the victory title on March 10. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News)
K-J Millar
Shilo Stag Media
Brandon Fire and Emergency Services blazed to victory over the CFB Shilo Men’s hockey team with a 10-2 win in a Battle of the Badges match at J&G Homes Arena on March 10.
The BFES team was in top form, scoring the first goal in the first minute of the game, Fire Chief Terry Parlow said, acknowledging that many CFB Shilo players are currently deployed overseas.
“Puck drop was the turning point of the game. There was a valiant effort from the Canadian Forces Base military members, but tonight was our night,” Parlow told the Shilo Stag News.
The second goal scored was a fast seven minutes after the first, with the BFES shooting goal after goal until 12 minutes into the second period when Shilo nipped back, bringing the game 1-6. At the 15-minute mark, it looked like Shilo’s bite was starting to mark with a 2-6 score and five minutes remaining in the second. Goals seven, eight, nine, and 10 were evenly timed throughout the third period, with the BFEMS stealing the bragging rights for the 2025 rivalry.
“We had a great night tonight. The team was just clicking, but more importantly, I need to stress that it’s not about the score tonight. It’s about the opportunity to spend time with our military members and all our emergency services,” the fire chief said.
The ante for the friendly battle is the commander of the defeated team must wear the opposing team’s shirt.
“So we’re going to exchange a T-shirt. Lieutenant-Colonel (LCol) [David] Cronk has been gracious enough to agree to wear a t-shirt with our logo and our name written all over it for a whole day,” Chief Parlow explained. “We’ll ask him to visit us at the hall and present him the shirt.”
Originally scheduled as a two-game sparring competition, Parlow said due to staffing levels, there may not be the second game, scheduled for March 19 at Gunner Arena on the CFB Shilo Base.
When asked if that would be classed as BFES forfeiting the second game, LCol Cronk said it was already a win with sharing camaraderie in game one.
“You know the folk at both organizations are super busy. With the tempo going around the base and the deployments and serving overseas in Latvia right now, as well as Terry and his fire and emergency services – we all know their tempo. The fact we got one game in this season is a win,” LCol Cronk said.
“The scoreboard was a little rough on us this year, but spirits were high. The camaraderie was good – it was kind of intense. We would rather have achieved the same results as last year …, but even at the end of the game, our guys all smiled and had a good time playing a game against fellow people who serve their community.”
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