I’ve had this day circled on my calendar all season, Centennials night at Memorial Gardens.

I love a good nostalgia night even if people are still angry about the team leaving in 2002 to the United States of all places. On this night all the great memories come flooding back in.  From their first ever game in 1982,to the championship ’93-’94 season, and eventually their final game, it’s a night meant for reminiscing and great stories.

I’ll admit it right now, I can’t stand the colour yellow.  It’s just plain ugly to me but for some reason the old Cents logo and jersey are quickly becoming a favorite of mine. The train logo tells me there was power and pride behind every player wearing it. Luckily for us fans of yesteryear, we’ll get to see them on full display, Thursday night – even if they are Boston Bruins colours…

I’ve heard some fans say, when the Brampton Battalion moved here, the Centennials moniker should have made a comeback.  I politely disagree.  For the first little bit, it would’ve been a heart-warming story but the team needed it’s own identity.  It needed to separate itself from a disastrous last nine season the Cents had and start fresh. Too many negative comparisons would’ve crawled back into the Gardens and a new team doesn’t need that.  There will always be negative comments about the team — but those naysayers need to appreciate what they have before it leaves again.

Thursday’s game should be a packed house at the Gardens not only for Cents night but because the Sudbury Wolves are in town – always an intense match up.  being the play-by-play broadcaster for this team has been a dream job and feeding off a loud home crowd only makes my job that much better.

Despite being a yearly event, it’s proving to be a special night.  Members of the 1994 OHL championship team will be on hand and I’m hoping the same emotions from that faithful night in 1994 will be ever present.

~Tom Parisi

Filed under: Cents Night, memorial cup, North Bay Battalion, North bay Centennials