By Josh Ruiz MSU EXPONENT
A raucous pregame ceremony filled with the cheers of Bozeman community members kicked off the second annual Frozen Frontline hockey game.
On March 28, Bozeman Police took on Bozeman Fire in Haynes Pavilion, aiming to raise $15,000 for first responders. The event, which was founded in 2024, aims to support emergency service workers in the Bozeman community. “The whole emphasis of this game is one, yes, getting that rivalry, having police [and] fire out there, but also raising money for three great organizations,” event founder Jonathan Stewart said. “That’s what’s driving a lot of this.”
Attendance was free for the public, with donations suggested at the door. According to Stewart, all proceeds went to the Bozeman Police Foundation, the Bozeman Fire Fighters IAFF L613 Benevolent Fund and EverGreen Adventures — a nonprofit organization co-founded by Stewart that facilitates outdoor activities and community groups for caregivers and the chronically ill.
While the event’s primary purpose was to raise money for first responders, Bozeman Fire also sought to avenge the loss it suffered at the hands of Bozeman Police last year. Before the game began, firefighter Adam Broden noted that teamwork would play a significant role in the game’s outcome.
“A lot of the guys that are playing for the fire department have worked together for years already, and they’ve played in this event in the past,” Broden said. “I’m looking forward to what they have to offer [and] I think it’s going to be fun to watch.”
The game quickly grew competitive, as both teams scored goals to get on the board early in the first period. However, Bozeman Fire would blow the game open, ending the period leading 3-2.
Bozeman Police flipped the script in the second period, scoring two goals in just eight seconds during the final minute. Bozeman Fire answered these goals and the teams took a 5-5 tie into the third and final period.
“Hopefully, we win,” police officer Braden Peterson said before the start of the third period. “Hopefully, they pull it together. I know we have a mixed bag of deputies and city folk, but I know a few of these guys are good dudes, so I’m sure they can pull together and win.”
Bozeman Police would indeed pull it together, scoring a goal that put them up for good with 6:10 remaining in the third period. Even when the game took on a more serious tone in the final two minutes, the cops held onto their slim margin of victory in front of the large crowd of Bozeman community members.
One such community member was Keana Gravett, who works with Bozeman Health. Gravett emphasized the importance of people attending the event. “I think it’s important for Bozeman Health, [having] everybody come out and support the community, support a great cause [and] be here for EverGreen Adventures,” she said. “[It’s] just [showing] the community that we’re all here to support each other and we’re happy to be here.”
Stewart echoed this sentiment, explaining how the Frozen Frontline Game demonstrates the strength of the Bozeman community.
“We have a lot of people that care a lot about our community and want to see everyone do well and succeed [in] whatever that looks like for them,” Stewart said. “That’s what’s driving a lot of [support] is the [community] wants to come support their firefighters. They want to come support their police [officers]. However, they also want to support the community and all three nonprofits.”
To learn more about EverGreen Adventures, go to https://www.egadventures.org/
To learn more about the Bozeman Police Foundation, visit https://bozemanpolicefoundation.org/
To learn more about the Bozeman Firefighters’ IAFF L613 Benevolent Fund, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bozemanfirefighters/.
