The sport is certainly missing a special element to it with the fans missing, but it is swell to be back on the ice and playing meaningful hockey again. Prior to the game the preparation is pretty much the same. We got our captain and locker room DJ pumping the group up with some bangers. The return of old Tor Tuck has added a bit of a wrinkle as he always complains we don't listen to enough of the old greats, but if you turn it up a bit it'll drown him out. On the ice is hugely different, especially on "home" games. The bench is relied upon heavily to get the guys going and raise morale when motivation is at a low. Clapping the boards between whistles, synchronized cheers, maybe even the odd chant. We've tried it all to some measure of success, but it'll never quite replace the roar of the crowd. Hopefully things can return to some sense of normality in the future once COVID isn't as big of a threat.