WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — According to the governor's new capacity limits, 1,500 people are now allowed inside the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins announced this means fans will be returning to the stands on March 19.
"It's obviously good news," said Will Beekman, general manager of the Mohegan Sun Arena. "I think it's a step in the right direction. We would love to see it open up even more, hopefully, in the coming months. But for now, it's a step in the right direction and hopefully a sign of good things to come."
Fans are excited too.
"It's certainly progress. It's certainly something that's good because it shows that the state is moving in the right direction, and hopefully, us as a country and as a nation are taking it seriously. The numbers are down, which is certainly great. And it's, you know, I don't see it as nothing but a good thing," Jason Iacona said.
"That'll be a great experience, and I know a lot of people will look forward to it. I'm sure there will still be some people who, you know, don't feel comfortable, and that's their prerogative, but I think it's fantastic news," Vicki Silva said.
Silva is a season ticket holder and the booster club president. She says this was something she was hoping for.
"We've watched the games on AHL, and we saw fans at the Hershey arena, and they were spaced apart and safe and everything, and we also saw fans at the Phantoms arena, and they did the same thing. They were spaced apart, so everything looked good as long as we keep social distancing and mask, I don't see a problem with it."
Beekman says he's excited to have the sounds of cheering fans in the stands again.
"I have a feeling after people have been sitting around for the past year, you know, waiting to come out to a hockey game, waiting to come out to a PIAA basketball game or hopefully eventually waiting to come out to a concert, I think they're going to be louder than normal.
The pens tell Newswatch 16 season ticket holders will have priority, but more details regarding tickets will be announced soon.
The Pens tell Newswatch 16 season ticket holders will have priority, but more details regarding tickets will be announced soon.