GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — After five long years, Grand Rapids Griffins fans will welcome playoff hockey back to Van Andel Arena.

Heading into Game 2 of the AHL Central Division semifinals, the Griffins are up 1-0 against the Rockford IceHogs.

Staff are pulling out all the stops for Wednesday and Friday. Instead of just Friday, both games will feature $2 beers and $2 hot dogs, not just on Friday. Every fan will also receive a playoff rally towel. An old team tradition is being dusted off, as well.

“The pig roast is just a fun play on the team that they’re playing — the IceHogs — during this series” said group events manager, Bre’onna Raymo. “It’s something fun that we did almost a decade ago, so we wanted to bring it back. It just seemed time.”

The aptly named pig roast will be back Friday at the arena’s brick plaza on Fulton Street. Starting at 5 p.m. until everything is gone, fans can buy a $14 BBQ pork sandwich combo that comes with chips and a pop or water. They are allowed to be taken inside after the arena’s doors open.

Longtime Griffins broadcaster Bob Kaser says the playoff berth is a unique one, given how the team is led by a first-year head coach in Dan Watson.

“This team, right after Christmas, just took off and got this community energized again. … We haven’t been in the playoffs in five years. A couple of years were wiped out because of COVID — but the fact of the matter is, people haven’t had a chance to watch playoff hockey here in a while. Winning two titles in 2013 and 2017 spoiled people here. They expect that. We expect that. Now, we’re back.”

For his first playoff games behind the bench at Van Andel Arena, Watson has one simple request for fans.

“We want to fill this place. We want to gain momentum. (The fans) provide a ton of energy for us. We felt it during the regular season. Playoffs are a whole new animal. The momentum they can build, the energy inside the Van when it’s packed — that’s what we want to feel,” he said. “Get down here. Bring your friends. Bring your loved ones. Bring your family. Let’s have fun here.”

Tickets are on sale, but Raymo warns that at least half of them are already sold for both games.