“Without the fans, there is no organization.” Wolverines celebrate their fans with appreciation night

The Whitecourt Wolverines celebrated their fans Saturday night during their home game against the Bonnyville Pontiacs. The annual Fan Appreciation Night featured giveaways, an autograph session, and some free grub. The evening also included a free draw for two tickets to an Edmonton Oilers game on March 14 against the Ottawa Senators, donated by Primerica.

Stacy Crossland, the Wolverine’s Game Day and Event Coordinator, said there isn’t an organization without the fans. “During COVID, we found out what it was like to play in front of nobody, and it’s nothing like having fans in the building. They lift our guys so much. They bring in so much atmosphere. You can hear them. It’s loud tonight, and that’s what they love to hear. The players love it when it’s loud in here. It boosts their play.”

Crossland said they had various gift cards from different sponsors to give away. During the mid-period pause, she asked young fans to find her. With hockey card packs in hand, ready to give out, Crossland was overtaken by eager fans as they reached out to receive a prize. “It’s so fun. We let minor hockey kids in for five bucks if they were wearing their jerseys.”

Crossland said it was about saying thank you. “We just wanted to say thank you to our fans for supporting us and for coming back after COVID and boosting our team this year. It’s awesome to see full stands. We’ve had a few nights with 700-800 people this year, and it’s been great to see. We want to keep boosting that up and getting more season ticket holders. It’s awesome to see everyone here tonight. We love it when it’s loud in here.”

The Whitecourt Wolverines played in front of 735 fans on Saturday night. It was the season’s final regular season home game, with playoffs starting in early March. Four seconds away from the mid-way mark of the first period, Wolverine Colby Browne pocketed his 23 goal of the season, assisted by Tanner Klimpke and Spencer Rheaume. It was the only goal of the period. Outside of one penalty to Bonnyville, the first period was uneventful.

In the second period, Bonnyville found their way onto the scoreboard twice, in quick succession, taking the lead from the Wolverines. There were six penalties, with each team sitting for three. With only fifteen seconds left in the period, Chase Broda found the back of the net. His twenty-first of the season was unassisted and came at the perfect moment. At the whistle to end the period, Wolverine Caleb MacDonald and Pontiac Mike Cataldo got into a tussle, ending with both being served up a 10-minute misconduct.

In the third period, the Wolverines had some work to do. Knotted at two a piece, they had to find a way to get back the lead. Bonnyville added to their side of the scoreboard very quickly into the period, retaking the lead, 3-2. The Wolverines fought valiantly but try as they might, they couldn’t get anything past the Pontiacs netminder. Two more goals came from the Pontiacs, including an empty netter. The final score from the Scott Safety Centre was 5-2 for Bonnyville, a true heartbreaker for the hometown crowd.

The Wolverines have three more regular season games to go before the playoffs begin. They play Grande Prairie on Tuesday, February 28, and have a doubleheader in Fort McMurray on Saturday, March 4 and March 5. Fans won’t get to see the Wolverines on the ice until playoffs. The team hopes to see a packed barn when the time comes. Game dates and contenders will be named soon.