At long last hockey season is finally starting up again and the Seattle Thunderbirds are kicking off opening weekend with games against the reviled Everett Silvertips and the decades-long rival Portland Winterhawks along with a beer garden, barbecue, music and free stuff.

Friday night the Tbirds, who finished last season in 5th place in the Western conference, take on the ‘Tips (who finished 7th) at 7:35 pm. The last time these two teams met in a regular season game was last season’s final game when the Birds annihilated the Tips in an astonishing 10-0 shut out. Everett’s shown some improvement over the summer, however, beating Seattle twice in September pre-season games. Whatever the final score turns out to be, any time these two teams meet it’s an exciting game.

Saturday night at 7 pm the Birds take on the Portland Winterhawks. The rivalry between the two teams is so intense that Tbirds fans chant “Portland Sucks” even when the Birds aren’t playing Portland. Last year the Winterhawks struggled through a rebuilding year and finished at the bottom of the league rankings but boosted by some talented new rookies and the maturing skills of existing team members, the Winterhawks are poised to be serious contenders this season. Will this be enough to make them a serious threat to the Thunderbirds?

Prior to both games, the ShoWare Center plaza will be home to Party on the Plaza events with beer gardens, barbecues, free samples from Coke and Vitamin Water, and music provided by team sponsor Funky Monkey 104.9 FM. All fans at the home opener Friday night will receive magnetic schedules. On Saturday the first 1,000 kids through the door will receive a free hat.

Doors open at 6pm both nights.

Tickets are available at the arena box office but will go fast for these two games – your best best is to buy ahead online.