TOLEDO, Ohio — It's time again for hockey fans to flood downtown Toledo, as the Toledo Walleye are back in action at the Huntington Center Friday.
"T-Town Hockey" returns this weekend for the 2023-24 home opener.
The Walleye started the year on the road for one win and one overtime loss, but are coming off a great season last year. The team saw success, winning 45 games but falling short in the ECHL Western Conference Finals.
Players say part of their success comes from the all-out support of the fans.
"Whether it's a Wednesday or Sunday, you're going to have 7,000-something fans here and you have a home-field advantage to the fullest extent," Walleye forward and alternate captain Brandon Hawkins said. "And I'm flat-out going to say not many other teams have that in our league."
You can celebrate the home opener with games on Friday and Saturday.
Opening night festivities include a free block party from 4-6 p.m. Friday in Hensville Park, featuring live music, coach and player appearances, the inflatable "Spike tunnel" and an inflatable hockey rink, cornhole games, food and drinks.
Also returning this year is the Fanboni experience, where groups of fans can ride in a modified Zamboni during pre-game, first and second intermission.
"It's a real nice time," Tom Abel, a longtime Huntington Center Zamboni driver, said. "You get a group of your friends, you're smiling, you're waving, you can see the fans and people in the stands. It's a very good experience, I highly recommend it."
Of course, what would a new season be without new food options?
All of these things have Walleye staff and even players hopeful to make for a great experience for both the diehard hockey fans and even those visiting the ice for the first time.
"It's really an unforgettable experience if you're not a hockey fan coming to your first game here in Toledo and flat out, it's awesome for everyone," Hawkins said.
It's quite literally a team effort.
"They're fan-focused. They always have events, they always have special things just to keep the fans involved. It's not just 'You show up and watch and we play' No," Abel said. "They're interactive, they do things for the fans, and the fan base in turn comes back with all of the enthusiasm that you could expect."
The puck drops for the Walleye season opener Friday at 7:15 p.m.
