(File photo/northeastNOW staff)

By Ben Tompkins

Home Opener

Mustangs home opener offers free admission, rally towels for first 800 fans

Sep 20, 2021 | 4:36 PM

Well if fans weren’t already excited to attend the Melfort Mustangs home opener on Friday, they will be now.

The Mustangs announced there will be free admission to all fans entering the Northern Lights Palace this weekend, as well as rally towels for the first 800 fans to enter.

After a pandemic riddled season last year, which fuelled so much angst and anticipation for this season, the team wanted something extra to bring fans back and commemorate the night in style.

“This was something that we wanted to do, knowing that we were going to be able to pack the rink,” said Mat Barrett, director of marketing and business for the Mustangs. “Just to bring everybody back in a sense of camaraderie and celebrate these boys playing hockey, it’s going to be a show.”

Barrett also mentioned how much this game really represents and how much the team felt that they wanted to give back to the fans.

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“We know how much this city loves the Mustangs,” he said. “We wanted to commemorate the night as somewhat of a welcome back for the fans. We want to give back and let everyone come and enjoy this team and enjoy this facility that we have.”

Barrett knows, however, that this means just as much to the players on the team and that speaking with them really proved that.

“I had one player talk to me already and say if we fill this place he’s going to be nervous and he might almost throw up, so I mean it’s going to be huge for them,” Barrett said. “Some of these kids have never played in front of that many people before, so it’s an experience for them too.”

Barrett also spoke to the latest restrictions that were put into place by the provincial government and how as long as the league doesn’t shut the league down, they’re just going to keep on moving forward.

“We just have to keep trucking along and continue adjusting as the time goes and we’re still going to be able to pack this rink thankfully. Whether people are in masks, I don’t think it matters anymore,” he said.

Prior to Friday’s home opener against the Flin Flon Bombers, there will be a pregame tailgate at the Melfort Senior Place on Burrows Ave. with a barbecue and beverages hosted by the North East SPCA, which will start at 5:30 p.m.

The Mustangs also added, in light of recent events in the province, they have decided to make a slight change to their plans for their annual fall supper.

The supper will be a drive-thru fall supper on Sunday, September 26. Plates will still be $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, and $10 for kids 11 and under. There will be no pre-orders for plates this year, as vehicles can drive up, order, and their meals will be delivered out to them by Mustangs players.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8