Supporters vow to raise ‘deci-bells’ to cheer team

Preston Lord? That name rings a bell.

Lord is one of several cowbelltoting Swift Current Broncos fans who have made themselves heard at the 2018 Memorial Cup in Regina.

Expect the “deci-bell” level to peak Wednesday night, when the host Regina Pats oppose Swift Current in the final preliminary-round game at the CHL’s championship tournament.

“It’s going to be awesome,” says Lord, who is attending the Memorial Cup with his father-in-law, Ray McGregor. “Even if we don’t prevail, the fact that we’re here facing the Pats at all is icing on the cake after winning the WHL championship.”

And then there is the whipped cream on top of the icing.

“Anytime Swift Current comes to Regina and we can get under the skin of Pats fans, it’s worth it — respectfully, of course,” Lord says, laughing.

“I actually tried to cheer for Regina the other day, but I couldn’t make it work. I tried to clap, but my hands wouldn’t come together.”

The ensemble, by contrast, came together splendidly. Lord and McGregor are resplendent in Broncos garb, augmented by green-andblue makeup and stylish blue wigs.

“We said in February that if the Broncos made it this far, there would be full hair and makeup,” Lord recalls.

Sure enough, the Broncos won the WHL title — beginning the playoff trail by defeating the Pats in a seven-game series.

Now the teams are to meet again, with Regina now having an opportunity to flip the script and eliminate Swift Current.