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“We’re bringing that into Calgary, so we’re putting those fans in the seats,” he said.

Last year, Ooms wore his Hulk mask and gloves to the game without any issue. But this year, he plans to wear an accompanying muscle suit, too.

Mike Moore, vice-president of the Roughnecks, said that Ooms was welcome to attend the game “as a fan, not as a mascot.”

“We don’t believe it’s proper safety or security to have any official mascot or unofficial mascot of the visiting team in a home venue,” Moore said. “It causes potential security issues and safety issues.”

Moore said there’s a risk Ooms could bump into other fans while dancing or cheering in costume and might provoke unhappy responses.

“He doesn’t know the building. What if he does fall down or if he steps on somebody?” Moore said. “Fans get intense and home fans get protective and when you’ve got mascots from visiting teams.”

This Saturday’s game is also the Roughnecks’ “Star Wars Party” night. Fans are encouraged to come “party with us, dressed in your favourite Star Wars gear,” a video on the team’s website states.

“They might come as Star Wars characters but they’re not coming as the opposition mascot or unofficial mascot,” said Moore. “That’s a big difference.”

Ooms said he feels those concerns are unfounded.

“When I was there (last year), in costume, I was taking more pictures with Roughnecks fans on the concourse level and in the stairwells than I do sometimes at our own arena here. The kids love it,” he said.