Bees take the ice tonight at Dodge Arena

HIDALGO — Yes, it’s already their fifth season.

The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees have become a part of the region’s sporting landscape in such a short time.

Despite the warm weather and a lack of a hockey history in the area, the Bees — set to open the season against the Corpus Christi Rayz at 7:35 p.m. today — have lasted in an area more known for palm trees and its proximity to Mexico than anything else.

Bees goalie/assistant coach David Lemanowicz said Dodge Arena has a reputation within the Central Hockey League for being a tough place for opposing players.

“I think the crowd is going to get everybody excited, especially for guys who haven’t played in here before,” said Lemanowicz, who played at Dodge with the Laredo Bucks in 2005-2006.

“I know what it’s like in this building, and it’s very intimidating. The crowd goes crazy; it’s a very intimate setting, and for the guys that haven’t played here they’re going to be impressed.”

Forward David Masse has played at Dodge and knows just what kind of home-ice advantage the Bees have, as proven by their 18-10-4 home record.

In 61 games last year, including the last 30 for the Bees after being acquired from Tulsa in January, Masse scored 37 goals and added 40 assists for a team that was eliminated by Laredo in the first round of last year’s playoffs.

Masse, a 25-year-old native of Montreal, sounded excited to play in front of a full complement of Bees supporters, a group that averaged 4,958 fans last season.

“The last two weeks have been pretty long,” said Masse, referencing the team’s training camp.

“I know we lost the last two games, but those were only exhibition and we’re trying to get to know each other more and more, so I think (tonight’s) going to be better.”

The Bees may actually know tonight’s opponent as well as they know themselves.

In two pre-season games, RGV lost twice to the Rayz. Coach Paul Fixter, entering his second season with the Bees, said the Rayz are a “well-coached” team.

“Ken McRae is a good coach. They’ve got some speed and some very good skill players,” Fixter said. “I think they’re an opportunistic team that takes advantage of breakdowns and they capitalize on them.”

Fixter and the rest of the Bees hope there aren’t too many of those breakdowns tonight.

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Brian Sandalow covers the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436.