Penticton Vees vie for attendance record this weekend

PENTICTON – The Penticton Vees could add a gold lining to a successful season with a strong turnout from their fans for the team’s final three regular home games this weekend.

David Michaud with the hocky team says to the best of his knowledge, no Canadian Junior A Hockey club has averaged more than 3,000 spectators per game through the season.

“We’re averaging 2,922 going into tonight’s game,” Michaud says. “We’ll need to average 3,500 over the next three games to make (the record) happen."

Michaud says Saturday night’s, Feb. 18, attendance is solid, but the Vees could use a few more fans for tonight’s game, Feb. 17, at the South Okanagan Events Centre and Sunday’s, Feb. 19, afternoon match. The Vees take on West Kelowna Warriors tonight, the Salmon Arm Silverbacks tomorrow and the Victoria Royals on Sunday.

The Vees have had 10 games so far this season in which attendance surpassed the 3,000 mark.

“We’ve had a spectacular season at the gates this year and we’ve been really proud of our product,” Michaud says.

With three games in three days left on the home schedule, Michaud acknowledges filling the stands could be a tough task. Still, this weekend marks the last time residents can watch a home game for the next month, with the Vees next home game scheduled for Friday, Mar. 17, their first playoff game.

“We’re urging fans, it you have it in you, to come out. We really want to see you,” Michaud says.

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