Well, today is the day….
The Knights of Meaford Junior A Hockey Club makes it’s much anticipated home ice debut.
I’ve been in Meaford a couple of times through the Summer & Fall and there’s no denying the buzz created by this new entity in the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League.
Based on arena availability, or lack thereof, the Knights have played their first 7 league games on the road, compiling a respectable showing of 2 wins, 4 losses and an overtime loss.
It’s not great, but it’s far from terrible, and in the view of several connected to the team, it’s a pleasant surprise.
New team. New players. New town, Tons of new logistics to deal with, and then factor in 7 straight roadies. To get 5 points is a bonus.
Compounding the bonus is the support the Knights have received on the road.
Whether they were at Burlington or the old Maple Leaf Gardens, in a couple of cases, Knights supporters outnumbered the home team.
But tonight, the Knights are the home team for the first time, hosting the Lefroy Wave at 7:30 at the Meaford-St Vincent Community Centre.
It’s been active off season preparing and a difficult stretch of road games to start the year, but the wait for junior hockey fans in Meaford is over with home game # 1 tonight.
I’m Fred Wallace