RED DEER – Red Deer Rebels fans have a long-standing tradition.
Immediately prior to the national anthem, one fan yells the last name of the opposing goaltender.
The rest of the fans scream “suuuuucccks!”
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies goaltender Chase Marchand heard the taunt before both games and responded with an ear-to-ear grin.
“Oh, they said ‘sucks’?” Marchand dead-panned. “I thought they said ‘rocks.’ ”
That would have been more accurate as Marchand went on to kick out 36 pucks to backstop the Huskies to a 3-1 Memorial Cup semifinal victory over the host Red Deer Rebels.