High River RCMP officers and hockey players from Highwood High School had an epic battle on the ice at the Bob Snodgrass Recreation Complex Friday, December 15.

It was their second annual Charity Hockey Match and while the police officers put up a good fight, in the end the Mustangs hung on for a 14-11 win.

Mustangs Athletic Director Curt Colfer says it is a good way to build trust.

"It is a big relationship thing with the RCMP," said Colfer. "They like coming down and and having fun with the kids. For our kids to see the RCMP in a different light is really important, because often times they just see them as the guys in squad cars driving around. They get to see them as people and hockey players, it is great for both sides."

High River RCMP Staff Sergeant Robin Alexander also says it's a great way to build relationships with the youth in High River.

"It started last year and it was tremendously popular," said Alexander. 'It brings us together with youth in the community in kind of a different way. It gets us out in public in a non enforcement role. We just connect with the community better through things like this."

Student Chase Morgan says it is a great opportunity.

"To see the police as being your friends, instead of everybody always saying the words rotten teenagers," said Morgan. "Everyone is out their having fun so it is good to see."

The game also raised money and donations for the high school's athletic programs and the High River Food Bank.