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It was 2-0 for the London Knights when the loudest cheer erupted from the crowd of 100-plus fans who gathered to watch the team’s Memorial Cup opener along Dundas Place downtown on Saturday afternoon.
It wasn’t for the players – it was for the technical whiz who finally got the big screen to work, one period into London’s game against the Quebec league’s Drummondville Voltigeurs.
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The technical glitch was one of two hurdles – a downpour of rain right before puck drop, the other – but it wasn’t nearly enough to stop an outdoor show of support for the Knights from taking over the pedestrian-friendly public space beside Budweiser Gardens.
“This is our first time having a viewing party here for our London Knights, but (I’m) looking forward to a great Memorial Cup and seeing the fans.” said London’s deputy mayor, Shawn Lewis. “Today we’ve had some less than favourable weather, but I’m putting in a request to Environment Canada to fix that for the rest of the Memorial Cup series.”
Fans scurried for shelter when the pre-game downpour arrived, but it was brief and the skies were sunny downtown for much of the rest of the game.
Those who gathered to watch the action could only hear the first period due to technical issues. Some watched the game on cellphones or peered into windows of Budweiser Gardens to watch it on a small TV while organizers worked to fix the glitch.
The lack of visuals didn’t deter fans from cheering when they listened to the Knights score a first goal, followed by a second to close the first period with a 2-0 lead.
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Just as some fans began leaving, cheers erupted for a third time when organizers managed to get the screen working as the first intermission began. There was a vibe of optimism as London opened its run toward a third national junior hockey championship.
“I think they’re going to do awesome and win,” said 10-year-old Charlie McDonald, who was at the viewing part to watch the game with her brother Dallas, 7, and mom Jewel.
Viewing parties are scheduled along Dundas Place for the rest of the Knights’ Memorial Cup run. Lewis said it’s perfect for the car-free, pedestrian-only version of Dundas Street that runs along several blocks of downtown.
“This is exactly why we built Dundas Place, so that we could bring the community together to celebrate,” Lewis said.
bwilliams@postmedia.com
@BrianWatLFPress
The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada
LONDON KNIGHTS LIVE VIEWINGS ON DUNDAS PLACE
- Monday, 7:30 p.m.: Knights vs. Moose Jaw Warriors
- Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.: Knights vs. Saginaw Spirit
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