OCT.15.06

The Vancouver Canucks showed their appreciation to loyal season ticket holders by hosting their first ever "Fright Nights" event at Playland on Sunday afternoon.

Ghosts, goblins and even rainy skies weren't enough to scare off the throng of fans who passed through the gates to experience one of the most chilling Halloween events in Vancouver.

"Fright Nights" at Playland runs Oct.13th to the 31st nightly from 6 pm - 11 pm and isn't for scaredy cats or those afraid of the dark.

Canuck players, coaches and staff were on hand to meet and greet fans who were brave enough to enter attractions like the "Asylum of Terror" the "Black Hole" and the "Bates Motel."

John Shorthouse warmly greeted more than 2,000 wet but excited fans, and even fielded questions for Head Coach Alain Vigneault who started off by applauding the turn-out.

"Before I came to Vancouver I knew the fans were great" said Vigneault. "For the fans to show up in weather like this just proves it."

Fans enjoyed complimentary hot dogs, refreshments and screams of joy or fear could be heard throughout the park as the wooden roller coaster ratcheted its way to the top.

"I love the roller coaster!" said one season ticket holder while posing for a picture with her favorite player. "But not as much as I love Trevor Linden!"

Canuck fans, both young and old walked the mid-way and tried their hand at the "ring toss" with Mattias Ohlund and Luc Bourdon or played a round of "tough guys" and "derby downs" with Roberto Luongo and Markus Naslund.

Ohlund's seemingly better from the blue line than he is from the ring-toss counter.

One young Canuck fan laughed out loud when asked what his favorite part of the day was.

"Watching Mattias try and get the ring on the bottle" he said with a grin.

Fans were surrounded by spine tingling terrors at "Fright Nights" but it's safe to say all left with smiles on their faces.