The next three months will be like no other three-month period in Eastlink Arena's six-year history. Everyone loves a winner, and it sure looks like fans of both the Summerside Western Capitals and Summerside Storm have just that.
As we all know, the City of Summerside hosts the RBC Cup in May, and there is little doubt that the Caps have a great chance of winning their second national championship in club history.
Most observers feel that the Caps have another gear left, and have yet to face a real challenge after their impressive 43-7-0-2 (won-lost-overtime losses-shootout losses) regular-season run.
The Summerside Storm has also had a great regular season, and their fans are thrilled at the possibilities for this team going into the playoff opener at Eastlink Arena on Sunday, March 24. With wins in three of four games against powerful London Lightning this season, Storm fans are optimistic this team can beat the best.
It will be interesting to see the support the Storm will get over the next while as both the team and its fans have their sights set on a National Basketball League of Canada championship.
An RBC Cup win and an NBL championship are very real possibilities for the Caps and Storm.
Fans looking for some real fun entertainment may want to take in Friday's game featuring the world famous Harlem Globetrotters. They always put on a great show and a big crowd is expected.
Music fans also have something to look forward to over the next three months. Country fans will love the Allan Jackson concert slated for May 1. He has been one of the top country music stars of the past 20 years, and always puts on a great show.
Sting is a world-renowned performer and he plays Eastlink on June 24, which also promises to be a great show.
I do not remember a three-month period at Eastlink Arena with as much anticipation as the next three months will offer. It will be a spring to remember.
Summerside Storm
I took in my first Storm game of the season on Thursday night, and I must say that I was impressed. The Lightning and Storm put on quite a show, and I left thinking that I was glad that I went.
I guess the excitement from the crowd is what caught my attention, and to see such a diverse crowd was something that I did not expect. What surprised me was the number of seniors in attendance, and they certainly get caught up in the excitement.
That last five minutes and overtime of the Storm's 123-118 win was exciting and as regular Storm fan Tracy Waite put it, "You don't get this much excitement at a hockey game.”
I must say that I agree with him after that experience. One of the better hockey players to ever come out of Tignish, Larry Gaudet tells me that he goes to a lot of Storm games and states that it is great entertainment. I must say that he is so right on that assessment.
If you are like me and thinking that you should go to a game, do so and you will not be disappointed. The Storm has their final regular season home game against Halifax tonight (Saturday).
Jordan Knox
It was great to see former Western Capital and now UPEI Panther Jordan Knox win the prestigious Dr. Randy Gregg Award.
The award goes to a Canadian Interuniversity Sport hockey player who shows outstanding achievement in the classroom, on the ice and in the community.
Knox is a very deserving winner for all that he has accomplished while at UPEI. He has become a fan favourite for Panther fans as he was as a member of the Western Caps. He is one of only a few players who have that ability to take fans out of their seats when he gets the puck. He has my vote as being one of the very best players to ever wear the Western Capitals’ jersey, and is on my short list of being one of the top three to ever play with the Caps.
Knox, who is from Skinners Pond, is also another in the long list of real good hockey players from western P.E.I. Congratulations to Knox on winning the Dr. Randy Gregg Award.
Josh Currie
Josh Currie has had a great season for the P.E.I. Rocket. Going into his final two regular-season games this weekend, Currie needs four goals to reach 50 on the season and his 101 points puts him in third place in league scoring.
He was nominated for the Quebec Major League's most valuable player award, and that says something about the season that the former Western Capital has had. It would be great to see Currie get 50 goals, win the scoring race and win the MVP as well.
I do not think any Island-born player has ever had the success that Currie has enjoyed in the Q-league this season. I will try and find out if there has been better.
Have a great week!
Joe MacIntyre is a Summerside resident. His column appears every Saturday. Comments and suggestions can be sent to j-mac@eastlink.ca.
