After COVID restricted our beloved Raptors to a bubble and brief stint as the Tampa Bay Raptors. It was great to see Canada’s team back at home in Scotiabank Arena. We love being a supplier for MLSE because our staff gets a behind the scenes look at the arena or BMO Field and see a variety of different things. I’ve personally stood on the stage in an empty arena and had my knees shaking from nerves. The perspective from the other side gives you even more appreciation when you attend a sporting event or concert at these venues. Seeing the inner workings of the venue and how the operations run behind the scenes shows why ScotiaBank Arena is one of the best in the business. For the Raptors first game back this season we set up a large food display in the Air Canada Signature Lounge. A high end lounge where many gather prior to game time and during intermission. What a great feeling to be back in the building and working on large scale events again after months of nothing. The crowd was electric and the city was buzzing again. It was a sigh of relief to those who were back to work and a sign that life was getting back to some semblance of normalcy.
After the Raptors secured a playoff spot our packaged ice was required to supply Jurassic Park (aka Maple Leafs Square) for their tailgate party. We dropped one of our merchandisers and filled it to the brim with our 12kg bags to keep all the beer ice cold for all the Raptor fans attending to watch on the HUGE screen outside. The first two road games were not the results that we or the fans were hoping for. First home game we were again in the Air Canada Lounge setting up a seafood display, timing is always a challenge when these set ups revolve around countless other deliveries to the arena. Not to mention road closures for Jurassic Park, and regular Toronto traffic. But we at Ice Boy thrive on getting it right and on time. The Raptors sadly fell to the 76ers in game 3 and eventually the series. But the experience of being in the building and the atmosphere is one to remember.
Looking forward to more amazing sculptures, and ice deliveries to the Scotiabank Arena for the Leafs, Raptors and countless concerts. We take pride in being the main supplier for MLSE !
Hopefully 2023 brings the Raptors more success and another shot at the Larry O Brian trophy. Brings back memories of the 2019 Championship run when we created a massive display at Real Sports Bar for Game 1 of the finals! And provided the Raptors buses lots of packaged ice for the epic parade after the win! We are Ice Boy Toronto Ltd and we are sports fans and firstly Toronto fans! Go Raptors Go!! WE THE NORTH!!!