Bragging rights were on the line Saturday morning when local police and fire crews dropped the puck for Canadasa国际传媒檚 pastime on Pentictonsa国际传媒檚 outdoor rink.

RCMP officers from across the South Okanagan and Penticton Fire Department members kicked off festivities at the facility on Jan. 20, as thousands of locals and tourists alike gear up for BCHL All-Star Weekend.

A game between the first responders hadnsa国际传媒檛 taken place since 2015.

sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 great to be out there,sa国际传媒� said Sgt. Don Wrigglesworth from the Oliver RCMP, in between shifts on Saturday.

sa国际传媒淲e used to have an annual game, usually at Memorial Arena, and the trophy never really left the RCMP detachment because we kept winning it over and over,sa国际传媒� he added, with a laugh.

Police and fire crews played multiple games of three-on-three hockey Saturday, with the contests usually ending within one or two goals.

But like any exhibition outdoor hockey game, theresa国际传媒檚 always that million-dollar question: how do you decide whosa国际传媒檚 going to throw on the goaltender equipment and step into the crease?

sa国际传媒淲hoever is a police officer and can play goalie,sa国际传媒� Wrigglesworth replied with a laugh.

The game marked the first of many events set to take place in downtown Penticton on Jan. 20.

The UpperDek Vees sa国际传媒� a team that coincidently sees Wrigglesworth as its coach sa国际传媒� took to the ice right after the RCMP and fire crewssa国际传媒� game. The BCHL, meanwhile, brings its skills competition, alumni game and three-on-three tournament to the facility starting at noon.

Frost Fest, a brand-new winter festival at Gyro Park, will coincide with all BCHL-related events on Saturday.