LEWISTON, Maine — The Colisee in Lewiston has seen its fair share of heavy-weight bouts and close hockey games over the decades.
On Friday night, the arena will play host to a "Battle of the Badges" hockey game as the Lewiston Police Department plays against the Boston Fire Department.
The 7 p.m. game will be free to attend, but there will be several opportunities to donate and support the victims and the families affected by the mass shooting last October.
“It’s been tough, this is something that nobody here has seen on this level," Lewiston Police Lieutenant Jim Theiss said Thursday. “[The game is] going to mean a lot...we work for the people out there."
Theiss, who is playing goalie for Lewiston PD, was the shift commander on Oct. 25 — the night of the shooting.
He said the people of Lewiston have been resilient since that tragic day and hopes Friday's game will help the community continue to heal. The department veteran also spoke about the outpouring of support his department has received from Mainers and people across the country.
Professional sports teams have also held tributes for Lewiston over the past few months.
Nick Withee is the director of media and community relations for the Maine Nordiques, which calls The Colisee home during hockey season. He said he reached out to teams, like the Boston Bruins, about the event and asked for items to be donated for an auction.
"[The Bruins] response was, 'Where do we send the jerseys,'" Withee said.
The Bruins donated autographed jerseys from NHL All-Star and former UMaine standouts Jeremy Swayman, and Charlie McAvoy. The Boston Red Sox gifted a signed Rafael Devers jersey. Even the Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburg Penguins donated items for Maine fans to bid on. There will be several more items in Friday's raffle.
All proceeds from that raffle will go to the Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Fund, which is helping support Lewiston victims and their families.
“This is Lewiston, we’re still strong, this is still our community and nothing’s going to change that," Withee said.
The Maine Nordiques have honored the city they call home multiple times since that mass shooting. Withee said the players have really bonded with their loyal fans and the community as a whole because of it. He said some players even asked to stay behind from the team's road trip this weekend so they could attend Friday's game.
While the Lewiston police team will feature many officers from the department, Theiss said some Lewiston firefighters and other first responders will play with them, including his son, a Kennebec County sheriff's deputy.
The department will also be wearing special 'Lewiston Strong' jerseys, donated by the Geiger Bros. The jerseys will also feature the names of the 18 Mainers we lost during that tragic mass shooting, and their family members will receive those special jerseys after the game.
Theiss and his son will honor the Young family on Friday night. Aaron and William Young, a father and son, were both killed on Oct. 25.