Fans of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan rally for their team - Action News
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New Brunswick

Fans of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan rally for their team

While the Acadie-Bathurst Titan are battling it out for the Memorial Cup, fans at home are cheering them on and preparing for what could be the homecoming of a lifetime.

The Acadie-Bathurst Titan fans thrilled at their teams battle for the Memorial Cup

Greg Devereau is a big Acadie-Bathurst Titan fan. He painted this message in his window. (Greg Devereau/Submitted)

While the Acadie-Bathurst Titan are battling it out for the Memorial Cup, fans at home are cheering them on and preparing for what could be the homecoming of a lifetime.

Mick Knowles has never missed a hockey game since the team relocated to the small New Brunswick town 20 years ago.

"I go to every game that's here in town," he said. "When the song comes on I'm the one that does the dance for that."

Acadie-Bathurst Titan rallied to defeat the Swift Current Broncos in overtime in both teams' Memorial Cup opener. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)

Knowles, who has a "go Titan go" sign on his front lawn, sits right behind the player's box at the 3,500 hundred seat arena. He said the team could go all the way.

"It's unreal," he said. "It looks really promising, it should be a really good series."

The Titan are the2018 Quebec Major Junior League Champions. The teambeat theRegina Pats 8-6 Sunday, and move on to face the Hamilton Bulldogs Tuesday night.

Greg Devereauremembers the first time the Titan won the President's Cup back in 1999.This year, he has a sign in his window andhe decorated something else as well his head.

"My wife, she traced the logo that you see on the front of the Titan jerseys, I'm bald, she actually traced it and coloured it."

This logo was painted of Devereau's head by his wife. (Greg Devereau/Submitted)

He said the team has had its ups and downs over the years, but winning the Memorial Cup will put the Titan back on the map.

A community team

Bruce Scott has bought season tickets for the Titan every year since 1998. He has designated seats right across from the home team.

"I've been a Titan fan since they came here," he said.

The Acadie-Bathurst Titan gather for a group shot on the ice at the KC Irving Regional Centre in Bathurst Sunday after winning the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League championship. (Acadie-Bathurst Titan)

For Scott through, the team's success holds a greater value for his community and what it represents. He said many people don't know how much Bathurst and its surrounding communities have to offer.

"When people do come here, they can't believe what we do have, like places to go and tourism," he said. "We have a big surrounding community that supports the Titan."

Scott said many people travelled to see the team play but he knows when they come home the welcome will be one to remember.

Game Wrap: Liam Murphy plays OT hero as Titan beat Broncos

6 years ago
Duration 1:25
Liam Murphy scored 2:58 into overtime as the Acadie-Bathurst Titan beat the Swift Current Broncos 4-3 in their Memorial Cup opener.

And as for Knowles, he has this advice for the team:

"Play hard and stay out of the penalty box and if you go to the penalty box take an opponent with you."