Playoff hockey has long been part of Aylmer’s identity, and this year’s postseason is adding another chapter to that history

Jude Osmond

Aylmer hockey is very popular in its own right, but playoff hockey in Aylmer is a whole other atmosphere.

When there's a big game for Aylmer hockey at the Frank Robinson Arena, the word gets around, and the arena fills up very quickly. The atmosphere is different. Whether it's parents, friends or family, everyone is cheering, and the stadium gets loud. The game is more intense and more competitive than ever.

“The arena becomes jam-packed, which makes for a more recreational ambience,” said Michel Gailloux, President of Hockey Aylmer. He noted that the arena has its own aura. “For the playoffs, we have music playing, and we're trying to keep our people watching the games as happy as possible.”

The team that moves on in the playoffs gets a chance to play in another tournament outside of Gatineau, which adds to the intensity of every game, because you know what's on the line. “The teams want to go there as it's quite an experience; it’s like playing another tournament,’’ Gailloux stated

For the teams that don’t make it past the playoffs, there's another tournament called the Aylmer Cup, which puts Aylmer teams against each other to win a trophy at the end of the season. The Aylmer Cup gives teams one last tournament to play in together.

The playoffs are in the quarterfinal and semifinal range. If you need something to do, feel free to stop by the Frank Robinson Arena and witness some electric playoff hockey.