SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. - Expect to start seeing a lot more black-and-gold colour schemes popping up around Summerside in the days ahead.
The City of Summerside and various local businesses are launching an effort to show support for the Vegas Golden Knights, coached by city native Gerard (Turk) Gallant. The Golden Knights recently secured the NHL’s Western Conference Final and has earned a place in the Stanley Cup Final.
JP Desrosiers, director of community services, said the city wants to show its pride and support for Gallant, and many are already doing so.
“People are already gearing up and are excited, but the more we can do to show Turk our support as his hometown, the better,” said Desrosiers.
Related - Next stop for Gallant-coached Vegas Golden Knights: Stanley Cup Final
The city has come up with a few ways for residents to back the Golden Knights.
City staffers have been contacting businesses with signboards and encouraging them to spell out their support.
They are also compiling a list of local bars and restaurants that plan to show the games and that may have special offers to coincide with the games. It will be published in the next couple of days.
The third effort involves a contest. Families are encouraged to get creative around their homes in showing their support for the Golden Knights, whether that be lawn signs, crafts, displays, wearing their Knights swag while doing chores or something else to mark their backing the team.
“People are already gearing up and are excited, but the more we can do to show Turk our support as his hometown, the better.”
-JP Desrosiers
The city will be holding a draw for a one-year Credit Union Place family membership. To enter the contest, post a photo of a Knightly creation on either Facebook or Twitter and use the hashtag #MakingHistory and include, “Go Turk Go.”
As the final series progresses, the city will decide whether or not it can host a viewing party for the whole community in the Eastlink Arena or Veterans Convention Centre at Credit Union Place.
There are a number of events pre-booked for the arena and convention centre throughout the next few weeks, said Desrosiers, so they are hoping the timing works out and the game lands on a night they can accommodate a viewing.
As for who the Golden Knights will face off against in the Stanley Cup Final, that will have been determined Wednesday night after the Tampa Bay Lightning hosted the Washington Capitals in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final.
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final is Monday, May 28, and all games will start at 9 p.m. Atlantic Time.
