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The Elmira Horse and Buggies managed to make it to the rink on time despite the annual Elmira Maple Syrup Festival for their friendly game against the Ottawa Magicians, which the Buggies prevailed 3-1. A bit of a surprise, but the whole season has been full of pleasant surprises for the whole team.

Currently sitting atop the III.2 standings with a 13-2-0-3 record and one point ahead of Biznows, the Buggies look poised to finally make the playoffs after three years of falling short.

"We're feeling pretty good right now," said right-winger Stan Rodgers. "The atmosphere in the locker room and in the stands at home is electric."

"I've never seen such support for this team," said long-time Buggy Ryan Archambault. "We've really got the fans revved up and they're behind us all the way here. Normunds is playing fantastic behind us, we've got some good young stars here, Matt, Davor and I are going strong, our front lines are going strong too. Gonna be a good year for us."

The Buggies are currently the 3rd-highest scoring team in the league and are tied for 1st in the least goals against bracket. Their average attendance has spiked up to nearly 1,600 at The Stable. All of the last five home games have been sold out.

"This is so exciting," said Sheldon Hofstetter, 26. Hofstetter has been cheering for his hometown team with his 6-year-old son Logan for the six years the team has been in competition.

"Howard was actually born on the day the team was officially created. It was pretty neat for us, the whole family are avid Buggy fans now," said Hofstetter.

Some new stands are nearing completion along with a brand new scoreboard and sound system, slated to be in full use for the start of the playoff run. The new stands will bring the total capacity for the arena up to 2150 seats, and their medical centre is currently undergoing upgrades, due to be finished April 24.

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