This year marked the 40th anniversary of the event, which raises money to help families who have lost their homes to fires with immediate needs, including lodging and food, and everything from shoes and a change of clothes to toothbrushes.

“Sometimes people escape a fire with nothing but the clothes they are wearing,” said Marquette Police Department Capt. James Finkbeiner, who played in this year’s game on the “Pigs” team, along with law enforcement teammates from throughout Marquette County: Chocolay Township, Forsyth Township, Ishpeming City, Ishpeming Township, Marquette City, Marquette County Sheriff’s, Michigan State Police, Negaunee City and Northern Michigan University Public Safety.

Playing on the “Heat” team from across the county were firefighters from Champion/Humboldt Township, Chocolay Township, Forsyth Township, Ishpeming Township, Marquette City, Marquette Township, Michigamme/Spurr Township, Negaunee City, Negaunee Township, Powell Township, Republic Township, Richmond Township, Sands Township, Skandia/West Branch Township and Wells Township.

Finkbeiner said during a typical year, the fund will generally provide $10,000 to $12,000 to meet the needs of local families displaced by fires.

Some of the former team jerseys are seen on display. (Courtesy photo)

“We can’t solve everything, but we step in and take care of immediate needs until insurance or other aid organizations take over,” he said.

He recalled some of the big fires the fund has provided relief for over the years, such as the Black River Falls fire.

“We’re not really equipped to handle such a big (disaster),” Finkbeiner said, adding that the community was great and stepped in with additional help.

In the past 40 years, the Pigs-N-Heat Fire Relief Fund has raised more than $500,000.

“It’s remarkable when you think we only do a sole fundraiser a year and raise so much money,” he said. “The crowds really turn out for the game and support us.”

Finkbeiner didn’t have a final tally from Wednesday’s game, but he estimated it was at least $15,000.

“This year the crowd got to see a really enjoyable game, really close,” he said. “In the first period, the Pigs were leading 4-3. By the half, we were 7-3. But in the third period it was going back and forth. The last three-and-a half minutes it was really a scramble. It was stressful for me, sitting on the bench,” Finkbeiner joked. “The Pigs pulled out an 8-7 win.”

So who has chalked up the most wins over 40 years?

“We were talking about it and I honestly don’t know,” Finkbeiner said. “For the first few years, I think the Heat was ahead, but for a number of years we kind of went back and forth on wins, pretty even. If anybody knows, nobody’s saying.”

Finkbeiner said a special moment for him at the 40th anniversary game was when two of the players who played in the first game came out on the ice and were part of a ceremonial puck drop to start the game.

Doing the honors were Dan Dagenais from the Heat and Larry Grimsby from the Pigs.

Actually playing in Wednesday night’s game were some oldtimers, including Brian Phillips, with 28 years on the Heat, along with Kurt Hillier and Brian Talvensaari, with 25 years apiece.