The Elmira Enforcers welcome back fans

Elmira, NY (WENY) -- First Arena and Enforcer’s owner Robbie Nichols, learned on Thursday afternoon, that they could welcome back fans to Friday’s game against the Carolina Thunderbirds. People could be seen waiting outside just before puck-drop at 7:05 PM. Some people like Larry Huffner even managed to get their season tickets earlier in the day to avoid the small crowd.

The sound of noisemakers could be heard inside the arena. The sound rattled through First Arena, seemingly louder than normal as fans were scattered throughout the stands. The sound of the noisemaker and cheers have not been heard in at least a year, since roughly March of 2020.

The Elmira Enforcers are now playing and getting a little boost in front of hometown fans, which is helping to establish a home-ice advantage.

“We're glad we can open the doors and allow some fans back in. It won't be too many but we're happy to have some of the fans back in the building,” said Nichols.

When it comes to buying tickets and attending games, however, it's not a free-for-all. Many stipulations come with putting fans in the stands. Nichols was given the news Thursday, that fans could come back but was also reminded of the state’s COVID-19 restrictions when it comes to indoor sporting venues. They’re only allowed to be at 10% capacity. Nichols also credits low fan numbers to the late notice and stipulations; having gotten the news about fans around 2:30 PM Thursday.

Nichols said, “You have to have a double vaccination, one day prior, or you have to have a test within seventy-two hours of game time”.

For one fan the short notice didn't stop him. Huffner is not just a fan, he purchased season tickets. Huffner was enthusiastic about the return of his Enforcers and is planning on cheering on his Enforcers for many home games this season.

“Everybody's been locked down in this state for god knows how long and it's finally starting to trickle open again and to be able to go out and do this, it's amazing,” said Huffner.

But even with just 10% capacity, the crowd was ruckus and helped contribute to the Enforcers home-ice advantage.

“We make sure social distancing, plenty of hand sanitizer, masks must be worn all the time in the arena, so it's going to look a lot different than it used to,” said Nichols.

For fans like Huffner, coming back and cheering on the Elmira Enforcers has been a year coming. Huffner said, “I'm really excited. these guys are a lot of fun to watch. It's going to be fun tonight against Carolina. they don't like each other so there's going to be some hitting going on”. Though fans were able to return, the atmosphere didn’t help the Enforcers as they fell to the Thunderbirds, 3-2.