Belfast Giants: special homecoming in store for fans after 18 months
The Belfast Giants are preparing to welcome back their fans to the SSE Arena for the first time in 18 months.
it will be an emotional return for both players and supporters - after the covid pandemic put paid to games last season.
They take on Dundee Stars tonight (face-off 7) in what will be Northern Ireland's first major full-capacity indoor event where social distancing rules no longer apply.
The restrictions were eased following a Stormont Executive meeting on Monday.
Director of Hockey Operations, Steve Thornton, told Downtown Radio & Cool FM, that tonight would be special and that they could not wait to see the fans again.
"Our fans are notoriously loud," he said. "It absolutely gives us the benefit - when they are screaming and cheering. and yelling
"Players just love playing in front of hostile environments that are in their favour and it also give us a competitive edge."
Meanwhile, the Giants got their season off to a perfect start with a four-point Challenge Cup weekend.
They beat both Dundee and Fife on the road.