Hockey fans in Barry’s Bay have reason to howl this weekend.
The Madawaska Valley Wolves will make their home debut on Saturday, Sept. 30.
The new Eastern Ontario Senior Hockey League franchise will host the Centre Hastings Ice Miners at 7 p.m. at the Paul J. Yakabuski Centre.
Wolves General Manager Liam Murray says the team hopes to endear itself to fans.
“We’re here for the long term,” he says. “And it can be another one of these really fun and positive traditions in the community.”
“The hope would be that we get to have a place in the community where people look forward to our games.”
Murray says the Wolves also hope to make the game experience fun for fans. They’re working out details to have live music in the stands at home games, which will be played on several Saturday nights through fall and winter.
This Saturday’s home opener will feature a special pre-game ceremony and an after-party at the arena, which will remain open until 1 a.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door.
The Wolves made their road debut on Sept. 16 when they travelled to play the Frontenac Phantoms. They lost the game by a score of 6-4.