The Cold Lake Ice will be looking for its already large fan base to grow even bigger when this year's North Eastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League finals get underway, with game one set for March 17 at the R.J. Lalonde Arena in Bonnyville.
The Ice will take on the Killam Wheat Kings in a best-of-seven series for the league championship but instead of facing off in the Cold Lake North Arena, the Ice have opted to play its final's home games in the more spacious arena located in Bonnyville's Centennial Centre. This will allow for an even larger contingent of fan support to attend the games. While the North Arena can fit just over 300 fans, the R.J. can pack in over 1,500.
“This was a no-brainer for us and our fans,” said Ice head coach and general manager Neil Langridge. “The last thing we want to do is turn away fans that come from all over the region to watch us, which we had to do in last year's finals.”
The Ice will be providing free busing from Cold Lake to Bonnyville and back, for fans that would prefer not to make the drive themselves. Buses will leave the Energy Centre in Cold Lake half an hour before game time, with game one set for 7:30 p.m.
Games two and three will be back in Killam, before the series returns to the R.J. Lalonde Arena for game four at 7:30 p.m.
“Turning away 200 plus fans last year was one of the hardest things we had to do as a team. You never want to turn fans away,” said Langridge, whose team sold out its home games in last year's finals.
“We want to do all we can to get as many Cold Lake Ice fans to the finals this year as we can. It will be some good, hard, entertaining hockey.”
Langridge said the opportunity to play in a larger facility will also benefit the team, as it continues to try to raise funds for its trip to the provincial championships next month.
“We definitely don't want to alienate any fans by playing at the R.J. but at the same time we think this could help build on our fans base, which is well represented throughout this region.”
