HOCKEY BACK AT VON BRAUN CENTER FOR FIRST TIME SINCE MARCH

The Huntsville Havoc welcomed fans in for the team's Red and Black Game on Saturday night.

Now part of the action.

Huntsville havoc fans hadn't been at the v-b-c since march -- when the southern professional hockey league suspended its season.

But tonight's red and black game brought them back.

Wendy greene -- havoc fan "oh, i'm so excited, i have chills right now, i have chills.

And it's not from the ice it's im so excited."

On saturday fans weathered the elements for the opportunity to watch some hockey for the first time in months.

Saturday's red and black game wasn't technically a havoc game -- but rather a scrimmage of 40 free agents -- trying to shoot their shot and land an invitation to training camp.

Even though the game doesn't count -- fans like wendy greene say the excitement is still there.

"oh yeah, definitely because these guys may show up with our havoc so we want to be able to welcome them to our team."

The game capped capacity at about 12-hundred and even brought in some new fans.

"i haven't been to a hockey game in three years so i'm excited.

Yeah, i'm a pretty new hockey fan so, i'm just trying to see what it's all about."

Fans like these just enjoy the opportunity to watch some live sports and get out in the community.

"after all this social distancing and what not, it's really good to find some common ground to bring people together again and i know it's like a smaller town with not a big sports team, but this is awesome -- something to bring the community together."

And for the team -- president's cup champions in 2018 and 19 -- head coach glenn detulleo says the game will help them find the pieces they need to build on their success.

Glenn detulleo - head coach, huntsville havoc "this is an opportunity to get eyeballs on 40 players, you're trying to just find those guys who might have those one or two qualities that would translate really well, would fit in with what we're doing and help us win."

Detulleo said it felt like a gameday today and he was excited to see fans back in the arena safely.

In huntsville, max cohan, waay 31