The stands at the Paul J. Yakabuski Centre were packed on Saturday night.
The Madawaska Valley Wolves made their Eastern Ontario Senior Hockey League home debut and gave fans a victory to celebrate.
Kelly Summers scored the overtime winner to give the Wolves a 5-4 win over the Centre Hastings Ice Miners.
Wolves general manager Liam Murray said it was a great night, and not just from a hockey perspective.
He said a dedicated team of game-day volunteers also came out for a first run of what he hopes will become a Saturday night tradition in Barry’s Bay.
“I think the in-game (experience for fans) was great,” he says. “We had a really good volunteer group that was helping with a chuck-a-puck (contest), with 50-50 sales and there was a raffle. All of that will go on again and that was great. The canteen was open, that was all really positive.”
The Wolves’ next game is on Saturday, Oct. 14, when they take on Smiths Falls Rideaus. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. at the Yakabuski Centre.