But the harsh treatment Jackson received from his hometown fans made last season's slump even harder to take.

The downside is that hometown fans lose touch with their national stars, who are elsewhere during the regular season.

Some will be stunned when the hometown fans turn on them the first time a mistake is made.

"But it was great to do it in front of the hometown fans."

The champion's immense popularity in front of his hometown fans did not hurt, either.

Not only his season, but also the booing of the hometown fans, ended for Brown that day.

He spends most of the time in the stands kidding with the hometown fans.

"To play in front of my hometown fans like this, it can't be beat."

He would be skating essentially in front of hometown fans.

Tonight, he can expect the awkward satisfaction of a long standing ovation from the hometown fans.