COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) -Hockey is back on the Chattahoochee as the Columbus River Dragons return home Friday night for their long-awaited home opener against the Pee Dee IceCats at the Columbus Civic Center.
The River Dragons hit the ice in front of the home crowd for the first time this season after spending their first eight games on the road. Columbus returns to the Valley with a .500 record and plenty of momentum heading into the weekend.
Head coach Jerome “Boom Boom” Bechard said fans can expect a tougher, more physical team this season.
“We have compiled a bigger team. A bit more of a physical team — now, physical doesn’t always mean fighting. We are just more physical,” Bechard said. “I think you are going to come in Friday and see a really good, physical hockey game.”
Team captain Kirk Underwood said the team is thrilled to be back in front of the home fans after the long road stretch.
Over the last five years, Columbus has really become a fun and enjoyable place to be every day, for myself and others included,” Underwood said. “To be back at home, I’m nothing shy of super excited.”
The puck drops Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Columbus Civic Center.
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