The feeling of community spirit was evident on Saturday (June 15) as members of Cochrane Fire Services and EMS faced off against residents of the Heartland community in an epic street hockey game.

Firefighter Brad Hoey, says it was a great game and Heartland put up a good fight. "I thought it was a great success and a great turnout from the Heartland community. They had lots of kids and adults come out to play, and on our side, we had almost twenty members out there and it was also a nice addition to get EMS out to play as well."

While Heartland took the game in overtime, Hoey says they will try to get back on track and claim victory in next year's match.

Anya Wharton, President of the Heartland Community Association, shares although she never saw the winning goal, the event was definitely a winner for the entire community. "It sounds like we won and everyone had so much fun. It was an awesome event and it went over really well with our community."

Hosting the street hockey game on the same day as "Great Neighbour Week' kicked off was also a nice touch, says Wharton, as 'community' is what Cochrane is all about. "Neighbour day is the perfect time to gather your community together, enjoy some food, and time together. So the hockey game was just one of those draws that people couldn't stay away from. Our goal is really to build relationships. There are so many communities around bigger cities where you drive into your garage at the end of the day, the door goes down, and you really don't have a connection with your neighbours or community at all. We find that here in Heartland it is different; we treasure our relationships here by getting to know our neighbours and to really be a part of something.  People talk here, they hang out, their kids become friends, and before you know it they are growing up with them. That is exactly what we are trying to encourage here."

Wharton says while Heartland will definitely try to win over Cochrane Fire Services as the community with the 'mostest' again this Christmas Eve, she says any community will be thrilled to host the epic street battle. 

Hoey, says the event was so well received by all that this will for sure become an annual tradition. "You can win by doing the same way that Heartland always does it. Good community spirit, get all the kids out to see Santa, and if possible, help out the food bank because we'll be watching; then we'll be back out in summer for another game."