WATCH: Victoria Royals’ fans were lining up for tickets Tuesday morning hoping their team will take the series against the Vancouver Giants. April Lawrence reports.
There was a steady stream of fans at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on Tuesday, eager to get their hands on some of the hottest tickets in town.
“I’m super excited, they’re going to win,” said fan Jen Adams.
The Victoria Royals scored in overtime at the Langley Events Centre Monday to force a Game 7 on home turf against the Vancouver Giants.
“A Game 7, a do-or-die game, against a cross-strait rival with a full building it’s going to be great,” said Victoria Royals General Manager Cam Hope.
Bronwyn Farley grabbed 15 tickets for a group of fans at the Umbrella Society recovery house she works at.
“We want them to participate in as many things in the community that bring them joy and they love Royals hockey,” Farley said. “These guys, oh I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s some faces painted, they’ve got their towels going, ya we’ll be loud.”
It’s an energy that makes its way from the stands on to the ice.
“The energy in the building at a hockey game in a Game 7 is like nothing else and the players feed off that and it’s a feedback loop, the fans are excited, I’m excited for this to start,” said Hope.
If anyone knows what that fan support means for the players, it’s Rae Robirtis and Alicia Milkowski, who have billeted Royals players, including former captain Joe Hicketts, for the last six years.
“It puts it into perspective for them to go out and win for the fans that are out there to support them every night,” said Robertis.
And the nerves are already building.
“Definitely you want them to do well, and it’s a tough grind and here we are, so it’s just let’s hope for the best,” said Milkowski.
With such an even series, it could be anyone’s game.
April Lawrence
