SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Home and away, a local hockey club has been playing the role of visitor since mid-September.
The Sioux Falls Stampede have won two-of-three games to start the USHL season, but will play their first home contest on Saturday.
“Opening night for any sport is special, but especially in hockey. We try to go above and beyond and make it a fun, special night. We’ve got a lot of different activities planned. We’ve got a tailgate party before the game, we’ve got a jersey giveaway for kids, free face painting, we’re going to have free balloon animals, a scavenger hunt,” Stampede President Jim Olander said.
The Herd are practicing at Augustana University due to a lack of ice at the Scheels IcePlex following issues with the facility’s chiller system.
“It is different from the sense that you’re kind of moving back and forth, you’re not really in your home building at the IcePlex, we have our own locker room, we have our own facility there, it’s a little bit different but it certainly beats having to travel 45 minutes or an hour to do practice, so we’re certainly very thankful for what Augustana has provided for us,” Olander said.
“It’s a little bit of adversity early in the year. We knew we were going to face adversity at some point, we didn’t know it would be this year,” Stampede head coach Ryan Cruthers said.
Cruthers is head coach of the Stampede, and says the impact of the temporary change of scenery extends beyond the players.
“I have to give a lot of credit to our players and support staff for dealing with all the elements. Our athletic trainer, our equipment manager are putting in a lot longer hours than they typically do helping to make sure our players are comfortable in this new setting,” Cruthers said.
Olander said the Stampede expect to be back at the IcePlex sooner than later.
“I think we’re still shooting for the end of the month, hopefully, could potentially be earlier, you never know. The good news is, they’re very optimistic, I know they’ve identified the problem and they’re already making the repairs,” Olander said.
For now, this brand new college hockey venue will more than suffice.
Olander says half the players on the team won’t set foot in the Premier Center for the first time until this Saturday.
The Stampede will play their home opener Saturday night against Lincoln. The puck drops at 6:05.
