Soo Greyhounds paint their town red

Sault Ste. Marie is buzzing with OHL playoff excitement.

An OHL poster featuring the information for the Soo Greyhounds first two home playoff games for the 2023-2024 season. (Facebook/Soo Greyhounds)

To get the community more involved in their postseason run, the Soo Greyhounds hosted a ‘Paint the Town Red’ campaign and contest – urging people to decorate their homes, businesses and classrooms in support of the Hounds.

• Download the CTV News app now

Home décor winner

Sault resident Lee Matthews talks with CTV News about his display for the Soo Greyhounds Paint the Town Red campaign. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)

The residential winner of the contest is a Greyhounds season ticket holder who is known for extravagant displays at Halloween.

Lee Matthews' house on Albert Street can be seen all lit up with the Hounds’ colours – including an audio/video display of the current roster and a wooden cut-out of the team’s mascot, Dash, that he made himself.

A wooden cutout of Soo Greyhounds mascot, Dash, that local resident Lee Matthews made himself. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Just like with his decorations for Halloween, Matthews told CTV News that passersby both young and old regularly tell him how much they love the work.

"Everybody's on the edge of their seat and you don't know what's coming next,” he said.

“It’s a whole different atmosphere than the regular season, but it's electric. It really is awesome."

Matthews said his décor will remain up until the Soo’s season is officially over and he is excited for “the ride ahead.”

• Want more local news? Check out the Sault Ste. Marie page

Businesses also turned red

In the commercial category of the decorating contest, both the Sault Airport and Hogan’s Homestead took home a win.

At the airport, travelers see a balloon arch of red and white – the Greyhounds’ colours – in addition to Hounds logos on tables, walls and even pastry display cases. The café’s windows were also painted by a local artist.

The Sault Airport's café windows were painted with Soo Greyhounds designs and slogans by a local artist. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Hogan’s Homestead co-owner Erica Hogan said their staff love the opportunity to talk to newcomers and locals alike about the OHL squad and they are now getting plenty of opportunities.

"Here in the airport we see so many travelers and the amount of opportunities that we've been able to create for them to chat about our Greyhounds, maybe look them up, maybe even go see a game,” she said.

“They see our decorations and they say 'Wow, this team really has the support of the team around it.'"

Hockey in the classroom

Lucie Pritchard is a huge Hounds fan and is also a season ticket holder, she said, the campaign seemed like a fun thing to do for the kids.

A look at Lucie Pritchard's Grade 1 classroom at École publique Écho-des-Rapides in Sault Ste. Marie that won the Sault Greyhounds' Paint the Town Red contest. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Her Grade 1 class at École publique Écho-des-Rapides is decked out from floor to ceiling in Greyhounds gear – with eight Hounds jerseys lining its walls, Greyhounds flags everywhere and replica retiree banners featuring some of the team’s former greats as Wayne Gretzky and Ron Francis hanging above their desks.

Olive Kemp-McLeish, a six-year-old student in Pritchard’s class, said the decorations have made her really excited about the playoffs.

"I like the confetti and I also like all the Greyhounds stuff," she said.

A small sampling of all the Soo 'Greyhounds stuff' in a Grade 1 classroom at École publique Écho-des-Rapides in Sault Ste. Marie as part of the OHL team's Paint the Town Red campaign. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Pritchard told CTV News that the mix of six and seven-year-olds in her classroom were initially thrilled at the thought of maybe winning third place and getting a pizza party brought to them by mascot Dash – but she believes the first place award may be even more impactful for her little ones.

"They get to attend a playoff game,” said Pritchard.

“I'm excited for them because we might get some new Greyhounds fans for those that have never gotten to attend yet."

• Get local breaking news alerts
• Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox

Staying red

While the contest is technically over, Max Robert of the Greyhounds said he hopes that others continue to put up displays of support for the team.

“No gesture is too small or large – every single expression of support is deeply appreciated and contributes to the vibrant tapestry of Greyhound pride that binds us together,” he said.