“We know they are behind us”; Eagles players appreciative of supportive fanbase
Following a busy weekend of play that saw the Cape Breton Eagles battle in back to back home games with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s (QMJHL) top two teams, players on the Eagles squad are sharing their appreciation for their fans.
On Friday night, Centre 200 in Sydney saw its largest crowd for an Eagles game in nearly three years as the hometown club welcomed the division leading Halifax Mooseheads.
Nearly 6,000 fans filled the Nest throughout the weekend’s two games in support of their Eagles team, helping them edge past the powerhouse Mooseheads team on the annual CBU Night at the Nest.
With the increased attendance came an added atmosphere, which has not gone unseen by players on the Eagles squad.
Former Eagles first overall pick, 17-year-old defenceman Tomas Lavoie said the crowds added support does more for their team on the ice than fans may realize.
“They motivate us. They give us energy, whether we are on the (power play) or the (penalty kill), we know our fans are behind us every moment and that is huge. Those kind of crowds really help us in crucial games like (this weekend),” he said.
So far this season the Eagles have averaged 1,800 fans for each home game, however a multitude of fan incentives to attend this past weekends games saw over 4,000 come through the doors of Centre 200 on Friday night.
“Friday was a lot more fun than other games I have played. There was way more energy and it proved to help in every aspect,” Lavoie said.
Forward Angelo Fullerton said players get excited to come to the rink each time a big crowd is expected for that nights game.
“The crowd plays a massive roll in the overall atmosphere and energy of a game, when there’s a lot of people there supporting you and the other guys you feel good about yourself and there’s lots of energy in the building that we can build off of every shift…we know how passionate this fan base is here in Cape Breton and when they show up to games we feel supported and ready to play.”
Friday night’s game also marked the debut of the recently announced Ticket To Win It campaign in which fans are eligible to win a $3000 cash prize just for being a ticket holder for home games with an attendance over 3000.
Patrice MacVicar was the lucky winner of the first ever draw and walked out of Friday’s game $3,000 richer.
Eagles forward Callum Aucoin, who happens to be the great nephew of MacVicar said the added fan atmosphere is notable at ice level.
“When we get big crowds, it feels like there’s an extra player on your team,” he said. “The way the crowd gets after a goal or a good play makes the whole team more energized. Ticket To Win It is a great idea to attract even more people, my great aunt was lucky enough to win…and she is definitely excited about coming back once again.”
The Eagles are back at home on Wednesday, Nov. 29 to welcome the Acadie-Bathurst Titan at 7PM.