MUSKOKA SHIELD JR. A TEAM OPENS SEASON AT HOME FRIDAY AFTERNOON AT 1 P.M. IN GRAVENHURST

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — An afternoon matinee — today at 1 p.m. — may not be the ideal time to kick off your home season.

But for the Muskoka Shield who are anxious to redeem their last game’s loss to Bancroft, another shot at the Rock Hounds is a good way to welcome fans back rinkside.

A week after that 6-4 loss the newly-branded and owned Shield have the advantage of two days watching the Leafs skate on their turf.

Twenty-four hours after the pros stepped off the ice Thursday at the Graeme Murray Arena, the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) Tier 2 Jr. A team returns home in relative hockey obscurity.

Barely a few years younger on average than many of the millionaires who were greeted by full stands, the teens are as keen if not nearly as talented as the stars they aspire to be.

Still, if a look at them practising earlier this week is any indication, they should provide an entertaining brand hockey for fans eager for live play again.

But on a two-game losing streak after a 3-0 win over West Nipissing in their first game Sept. 23, which was followed by 4-2 loss eight days ago to Temiscaming, they have their work cut out for them to impress a home crowd they could outnumber in the bleachers for this mid-day match-up.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for student (13-17) and seniors. Children under 12 get in free.

The Shield went through a spirited workout Tuesday in preparation for the second half of a back-to-backer with the Bancroft Rock Hounds this afternoon at 1 p.m.

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