North Bay Battalion host Fan Fest, win second pre-season game
North Bay hockey fans experienced a unique fan-focused experience ahead of the city’s OHL pre-season game on Sunday.
Several young North Bay Battalion fans enjoying the atmosphere and festivities at the team's Fan Fest at Memorial Gardens on September 8, 2024. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)
“The fans are be hoping for another playoff run and that's what the goal is. So, we're trying to push for that and get everyone here early," said Owen Desrosiers, the North Bay Battalion's business and gameday operations intern.
"Getting everyone behind us.”
North Bay Battalion’s Fan Fest was set to start outside of Memorial Gardens but poor weather moved all of the festivities indoors.
“Due to weather concerns, Fan Fest will be moved inside,” the team said on social media Sunday morning.
The event kicked at 10:30 a.m. prior to the Troops’ game against the Owen Sound Attack at 2 p.m.
The matchup is North Bay’s second pre-season game at Memorial Gardens, with the Battalion besting the Ottawa 67’s 5-0 on Friday evening.
Three North Bay Batallion players on the ice at Memorial Gardens in North Bay, Ont., in the team's first pre-season game of the season on September 6, 2024. (North Bay Batallion/X)
Sunday’s Fan Fest featured limited prizes, live entertainment, food, games and a team meet and greet -- players new and old signed team memorabilia and spoke to fans.
Former North Bay Battalion centre Brett Hargrave signs a young fan's team jersey at the Troops' Fan Fest on September 8, 2024 at Memorial Gardens. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)
Those in attendance told CTV News that there was something for everyone at the family friendly event.
Team officials said there will also be a unique red carpet introduction for some local minor hockey players and other special guests in attendance.
The organizers told CTV News that Fan Fest is really about the fans and giving back to them all the support they have shown the Battalion over the years.
North Bay Battalion alum Pacey Schlueting walks the red carpet at the team's Fan Fest on September 8, 2024. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)
“We wanted to have an event to give back to the 7th men," said Desrosiers.
"We have had three incredible playoff runs and the fans showed up in spades at all three of them. They've been amazing the 12 years we've been here."
Officials added the team wanted to give back to the fans, give back all the season ticket holders and give back to the city.
A young fan with a homemade sign to cheer on the Troops at Battalion Fan Fest at Memorial Gardens on September 8, 2024. The events wheel of fun is shown in the background. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)
“I’m very excited for the season to start. I’ve already got my celebration ready," said Battalion fan Alex Harrison.
"We’re going to get farther in the playoffs this time.”
Another fan of the Troops, William Casey told CTV News that the team is going to do well this year.
"I’m pumped – we're going all the way this year," he said.
"The new kids are going to gel. We see that the coaching staff is engaged with the kids and the community. That's the most important to be engaged.”
“(It is) a day for the 7th man,” the team wrote in a social media post earlier this month.
“It is the best thing to see the fans down there at ice level and the players feel it. We feel it," said Desrosiers.
"Everyone in this whole building feels the fans are here.”
Season ticket holders were also able to pickup their season ticket packages at the event.
The other big winner of the Troops’ Fan Fest was the North Bay Food Bank through one of the fun games at the event. The team is encouraged fans to bring non-perishable food items to North Bay’s Memorial Gardens on Sunday. Those who brought a food donation were entered in the draw for the day’s big prize and anyone who brought five pounds of food also got an extra spin at ‘the wheel of fun.’
The Troops came out on top in the exhibition matchup against the Attack, winning 3-2 in a shootout.
With files from CTVNorthernOntario.ca journalist Eric Taschner
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