The LCLC in Bridgewater, NS. Photo: Evan Taylor
With restrictions on sports attendance being partially lifted this Monday the South Shore Lumberjacks will be able to welcome back fans to the LCLC this Friday.
Part owner Ross Shatford says that they will only be allowed to have 400 fans with 100 in each of the four sections of the arena.
“400 is right around the amount where we are able to break even on home games, it’s obviously not ideal but we understand that hockey isn’t the most important thing right now,” Shatford says.
The Lumberjacks will play their first game with fans in over two months as they host the Pictou County Weeks Crushers. Puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m. on February 15.
Having fans back offers a significant financial boost to all Nova Scotia-based MHL teams who rely heavily on home gate revenue.
Shatford says home games during normal times cover the cost of the home game and one away game, for which the bus alone costs in excess of $3,000.
Having fans back will also hopefully spur a positive reaction from the team who have only managed two wins from their first seventeen games, leaving them in the last place in the MHL Eastlink South Division.
“We’ve had to play without fans for a while and while it’s been good to get on the ice and get into a rhythm all our players and staff are extremely excited to have fans back in the rink, it’s just not the same energy without them.”
Shatford also says although this year has been a struggle they are focusing on the pos”The team is progressing and improving every day and we’ll take this year’s learning experience and we’ll be one of the top teams next year.”
In other Jacks news, Shatford says new acquisition Andrew Langlois (D) is currently isolating after his move from Georgetown, Ontario.
Details on what precautions and rules will be in place for the Lumberjacks’ home games can be found on their website.
