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to join the team . This isn ’ t just amateur-level sports , but one filled with talented , athletic players who hold themselves to high standards .
“ It sucks turning people away and having to explain , but it ’ s for the betterment of this organization . We ’ ve been carrying ourselves – especially for the last few years – as a highertier
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program ,” says Kelly . “ People contact us because they want us to play them . We aren ’ t shopping to get games competitive enough for our talent level .”
With twice-weekly practices and 45 games a season – four of them multi-day trips – being on the team is a significant commitment . The dedication shown not only
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by the players but also by their fire department is clear . According to Kelly , It ’ s the unwavering support from the fire department and co-workers that makes it possible to play .
“ I came in tonight at 6 o ’ clock and I ’ ll go home tomorrow night at 6 o ’ clock … and tomorrow night we actually have a game at 8 o ’ clock . Most guys try to
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arrange their schedule that way ,” says Kelly . “ A lot of guys in the firehouse are very helpful at switching shifts . Things like that happen behind the scenes that many guys don ’ t really know or understand .”
As this article was being written , the team had completed five out of 45 games for the season , with a few played in
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THE NYPD ALWAYS HAS OUR BACKS … AND WE ’ RE
ALWAYS LOOKING OUT FOR THEM ,” SAYS KELLY . “ DO WE WANT TO TRY AND KILL EACH OTHER DURING THAT GAME ? YES ! BUT OUR RELATIONSHIP OFF THE ICE IS VERY CIVIL AND OBVIOUSLY WE SUPPORT EACH OTHER IN THE CITY
THAT WE WORK IN .
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