Home openers are always special.
But considering what the Tohoku region has endured since March 11, Saturday's Sendai 89ers-Akita Northern Happinets game held greater significance than an ordinary opener.
The throngs of Sendai supporters, who were shouting "Go, go 89ers" throughout the game, weren't treated to a win, but that was far from a real downer. Make no mistake: A bj-league game in Sendai for the first time in eight months was a victory in itself.