Frontier Arena in Coeur d’Alene will spotlight a showdown between Kootenai County first responders and their Washington counterparts. The Battle of the Badges K27 Benefit Hockey Game will pit North Idaho’s Mooriors in a rematch of last year’s overtime thriller, a 6-5 loss to Spokane.

The puck drops at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 17, at Frontier Arena on Seltice Way. Tickets are now on sale for $7 through TicketsWest, or for $10 at the door. Children 10 and younger are still free.

Local first responders will suit up for the second Panhandle Parks Foundation event, which will benefit the K27 Forever Memorial, commemorating Sgt. Greg Moore, who died in the line of duty four years ago. Last year’s event raised $5,000 in an unexpected explosion of turnout.

“Last year, I wasn’t expecting the ticket line to go out the door,” said Jocelyn Babcock, hockey mom and executive director of Panhandle Parks. “So this year, we’re ready: We’ll have two points of sale. We’ll have a cash line. We’ll have a card line. We’ll have a line for people who already bought their tickets online.”

They’ll also have 28 volunteers this year, Babcock said. In addition to a snack bar, Battle of the Badges has will also expand fans’ refreshment options, as well.

“I was told you can’t have a hockey game without beer,” she said. “So Mad Bomber will be pouring libations for us this year.”

This year, organizers hope to raise $15,000 for the event, which will go to pay off the memorial through ticket sales, K27 stickers, raffle proceeds, a 50/50 contest and a silent auction. The auction will feature a K27 jersey, a Buck Knives Thin Blue Line knife, a one-night hotel stay and spa day at the Coeur d’Alene Casino, a golf excursion to Ponderosa Springs and Triple Play gift cards, among other prizes.

Avid hockey fan Mike Davis of Heritage Health will serve as master of ceremonies, and McGruff the Crime Dog is scheduled to make an appearance. Coeur d’Alene Youth Hockey players will also participate during intermission.

Capt. Dave Hagar of the Coeur d’Alene Police Department encouraged locals to show their support.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to be seen in a different light,” Hagar said. “It’s a way for people to come out and see us outside of our law enforcement role. And it’s a great fundraiser for the memorial.”

“The memorial is our way of saying, in a culture in this day and age that doesn’t really support our police, Coeur d’Alene does,” Babcock added. “The (memorial’s) Remembrance Rock is there to remember fallen officers, but the Respect Rock is there to pay our respects to every police officer who serves. This isn’t just for Greg; it’s a way to say that Coeur d’Alene respects all police officers everywhere. This game allows us to come out and show our support.”