Scout
04-03-2008, 08:39 PM
Thu, April 3, 2008
Rowdy rink awaits
UPDATED: 2008-04-03 02:40:35 MST
By SCOTT FISHER
The Calgary Hitmen have played their best hockey in hostile environments.
Case in point, they won all three WHL first-round playoff games in the Crushed Can in Moose Jaw.
So they won't be intimidated by what should be another raucous gathering in Swift Current. The Credit Union i-plex doesn't have the same 'mad house' reputation as the rinks in Moose Jaw or Medicine Hat.
But when it's filled to capacity (2,865), it can be deafening.
"It's a small barn and when they pack that thing, it's extremely loud," said Hitmen defenceman Paul Postma, who knows a thing or two about the 'Plex after playing parts of four seasons with the Broncos.
The building opened in 1967 as the Centennial Civic Centre. Last year, Swift Current city council approved a $14 million expansion.
"It looks unreal," Postma said. "It looks like a totally different place."
Winger Kyle Bortis, who came to Calgary along with Postma in an early-season trade that sent Keegan Dansereau and Brett Plouffe east to Swift Current, says the renovations should bring more fans to the building.
"It's definitely a big upgrade," Bortis said. "The city of Swift Current is really excited about it and I think it'll bring more fans out.
"It's going to be a fun rink to play in."
Hitmen centre Ryan White agrees.
"Anywhere you go out east, it's going to be the same deal," White said. "It's going to be a small, loud rink.
"It's definitely nicer in (Swift Current) now.
"It's a lot brighter and it makes it nicer to play there.
"But it's going to be rowdy in there, just like in Moose Jaw."
Rowdy rink awaits
UPDATED: 2008-04-03 02:40:35 MST
By SCOTT FISHER
The Calgary Hitmen have played their best hockey in hostile environments.
Case in point, they won all three WHL first-round playoff games in the Crushed Can in Moose Jaw.
So they won't be intimidated by what should be another raucous gathering in Swift Current. The Credit Union i-plex doesn't have the same 'mad house' reputation as the rinks in Moose Jaw or Medicine Hat.
But when it's filled to capacity (2,865), it can be deafening.
"It's a small barn and when they pack that thing, it's extremely loud," said Hitmen defenceman Paul Postma, who knows a thing or two about the 'Plex after playing parts of four seasons with the Broncos.
The building opened in 1967 as the Centennial Civic Centre. Last year, Swift Current city council approved a $14 million expansion.
"It looks unreal," Postma said. "It looks like a totally different place."
Winger Kyle Bortis, who came to Calgary along with Postma in an early-season trade that sent Keegan Dansereau and Brett Plouffe east to Swift Current, says the renovations should bring more fans to the building.
"It's definitely a big upgrade," Bortis said. "The city of Swift Current is really excited about it and I think it'll bring more fans out.
"It's going to be a fun rink to play in."
Hitmen centre Ryan White agrees.
"Anywhere you go out east, it's going to be the same deal," White said. "It's going to be a small, loud rink.
"It's definitely nicer in (Swift Current) now.
"It's a lot brighter and it makes it nicer to play there.
"But it's going to be rowdy in there, just like in Moose Jaw."