Excitement at PPL Center
The real animation for the PPL Center faithful will take place when the Phantoms open the home season Saturday, Oct. 23, by hosting the Hartford Wolf Pack at 7:05 p.m. Lehigh Valley will then face the rival Penguins 3:05 p.m. on Sunday in a home-and-home series that continues the following Wednesday back in Wilkes-Barre
“It feels really good, extra good,” Phantoms’ co-owner Rob Brooks said of reopening to full capacity. “There’s a kind of buzz right now like there was our first season in Allentown. People haven’t been able to get out, and now they are. Sometimes communities need things to gather us together, and sports is one of the things that can do that for people.”
“It’s going to be great,” O’Reilly said. “I expect a huge crowd for our home opener that will bring extra energy out for us on the opening night.”
While the fans will be welcoming meaningful hockey back to Allentown, the Phantoms will be welcoming fans back to PPL Center.
All Phantoms players and personnel are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In addition, while masks are recommended for fans — especially if they are unvaccinated — they are not required.
“It’s been a tough stretch,” Rob Brooks said. “We think about our staff and their families. We haven’t had the capacity to open, and now that we do, this is a big step. We want to make sure everyone knows this is a safe environment.”
Because PPL Center is relatively new, it’s HVAC system, equipped with near-medical grade MERV 14 filters, moves air better than most buildings. Electrostatic sprayers are placed throughout the building, and mobile ticket scanners and concession registers feature no-tap scanning for credit card payment.
Brooks said the Phantoms are following their medical experts and Pennsylvania protocols for virus mitigation in anticipation of seeing their “Phan Phamily” grow to more than 8,000 strong inside the arena.
“What [brother and co-owner]
Jim and I really look forward to is seeing the fans we haven’t seen in so long,” Rob Brooks said. “When we first opened, people bought season tickets for the entertainment, not knowing if they liked hockey. Our season ticket holders became friends with each other, family. I think the greatest feeling will be for our Phantoms Phamily to see each other for the first time in a long time.”