I'm in Albany, so it's the AHL for me. River Rats season opener is the 12th.
And we had our NHL game already, Devils-Penguins skated to a 4-4 tie.
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The AHL has 29 teams, moving into San Antonio and Binghamton, NY this year, they would like to add one more team, for a 30-30 match with the NHL. Rumors have the team in Hamilton moving to Toronto, which would probably give the 30th team to Hamilton as a consolation.
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Yeah, I know...they ran off the San Antonio Iguanas.
The IHL came into SA a few seasons ago and only lasted one season, IIRC. I'm sure the fans will be happy they have hockey at all, but I'll sure miss the road trips to San Antonio.
Oh, get this...one of our OKC Blazers will get to play for Phoenix in our exhibition game. Talk about one guy's dream coming true.
The AHL is such an interesting dynamic because you have larger mid-size "major league capable" cities competing with much smaller burgs. This is obviously important in the revenue department and the general health of the league. But take a looksie at this breakdown and notice the difference between the conferences:
BIG CITY: East:Hamilton, Hartford, Manitoba(Winnipeg), Providence West: Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Houston, Milwaukee, Norfolk, Philadelphia, San Antonio, Utah(SLC)
SMALL CITY: East: Albany, Binghamton, Bridgeport, Lowell, Manchester, Portland, Saint John, Springfield, St. John's, Worcester West: Grand Rapids, Hershey, Rochester, Syracuse, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
ECHL has a similar dichotomy to a certain extent with some teams in really large markets like Charlotte, Cincinnati, Columbus, New Orleans, and Richmond.
It fascinates me mainly because AAA Minor League Baseball has no such dynamic really.
I've got NY Rangers season tix but I find going to Trenton Titans (ECHL)games down at the Sovereign Bank Arena to be a hell of a lot more fun and affordable - used to go to games wherever I could when my job had me traveling - Lafayette, LA for the Ice Gators - Lake Charles, LA for the Ice Pirates - Austin, TX for the Ice Bats - Fort Worth for the Brahmas - I miss those days
(edited by dunkndollaz on 2.10.02 1154) 5 Time 5 Time 5 Time 5 Time 5 Time Wiener of the Day Runner-up
Originally posted by dunkndollazI've got NY Rangers season tix but I find going to Trenton Titans (ECHL)games down at the Sovereign Bank Arena to be a hell of a lot more fun and affordable - used to go to games wherever I could when my job had me traveling - Lafayette, LA for the Ice Gators - Lake Charles, LA for the Ice Pirates - Austin, TX for the Ice Bats - Fort Worth for the Brahmas - I miss those days
(edited by dunkndollaz on 2.10.02 1154)
Minor league games are fun, aren't they? I've been to Austin a few times...they didn't have air conditioning when we were there, and the ice never really froze after resurfacing. Plus, the visiting team's locker room was in another building. I was going through the press entrance and saw players in full gear wandering around outside. I've been going to the Ft. Worth games since they were the Fire (RIP). Took a puck to the head at TCCC last season.
Our new arena in OKC is supposed to be NHL-calibre and was built with the idea of someday getting a team here, but I really don't think the average Okie is going to lay out the money for NHL season tickets.
Do you still travel to any of those arenas? Road trips rule!!
Originally posted by Rvrkings44 Since I live in Oklahoma, closest NHL city we have is Dallas. We do, however, have the CHL.
Phoenix and LA are playing an exhibition game here next Thursday. Can't wait to get the season started!
Damn! For a second there I thought you were telling me that Phoenix had gotten its minor league team back!
Although explain this to me: the CHL's web pages indicate that the CHL's offices are in Scottsdale, Arizona!
We had Phoenix Roadrunners season tickets literally forever. I was in on Coyotes tickets for the first couple of seasons, but I actually had much more fun going to the Mustangs than the Coyotes. Must be something seriously wrong in my upbringing. :-)
Although explain this to me: the CHL's web pages indicate that the CHL's offices are in Scottsdale, Arizona!
I believe it's because the CHL President Brad Treliving resides there. After the CHL and WPHL merged, it was announced that the league office would be moving from Indianapolis to Scottsdale. More travel for them, but hey, they're the bosses...LOL.
Can't wait to see the game tonight...I'm hoping to shoot at least one period from the penalty box.
I had the fortune of working at the Norfolk Scope when they housed an ECHL team. WOrked for 5 years there and through one championship season. I have always enjoyed Minor League hockey greatly. Have been to games in a number of barns, some new some OLD, but it was always the same, good times, cheap prices, good entertainment.
I have been to games in Richmond Va, Raliegh NC (Dornan Arena was a fabulous place to watch a game!) Peoria Illinois, Tupelo Miss (RIP T-Rex!) Desoto County Mississippi/Memphis (nicest minor league arena I have seen)and here in St Louis, up at the St Charles Family arena.
I have plans on going to Chicago this season to see the Norfolk Admirals play the Chicago Wolves. Hopefully it will be a great game.
Originally posted by StaggerLeeI have been to games in Richmond Va, Raliegh NC (Dornan Arena was a fabulous place to watch a game!) Peoria Illinois, Tupelo Miss (RIP T-Rex!) Desoto County Mississippi/Memphis (nicest minor league arena I have seen)and here in St Louis, up at the St Charles Family arena.
The new Memphis arena is really nice...and my husband loves the fact that they have a Corky's BBQ concession stand there. Memphis is my hometown so we visit every chance we get.
Tonight...I stood on the same ice with Wayne Gretzky as he dropped the ceremonial first puck at the Coyotes/Kings exhibition. He was so close I could've reached out and popped him. Unreal.
Kings won, 2-1, with a goal scored in the final 10 seconds.
That arena is unreal! It is very nice and comfortable, and the prices on food, drinks, etc is well below the normal I have seen in 4 different leagues.
I would have a hard time NOT just checking the great one! But I am sure that would not go over well. If you ever get the time, come over to St Louis and see a game at the Family arena in St Charles. Not as nice as Desoto County Civic Center, but nice nonetheless.
I have a 15-game season ticket plan for the (AHL) Philadelphia Phantoms, and attend (ECHL) Reading Royals games regularly as well.
My minor-league jersey collection includes:
* Philadelphia Phantoms * Calgary Hitmen * Cleveland Lumberjacks * Wichita Thunder -- my favorite, with an awesome sublimated lightning design * Baton Rouge Kingfish * Windsor Spitfires * Manchester Storm (British) * Seattle Thunderbirds * Moscow Dynamo (very thin & cheap replica) * Omaha Lancers * Cloverdale Colts (midget-level) * Salmon Arm Silverbacks (arriving soon)
EDIT: Forgot the Quebec Rafales.
(edited by vsp on 5.10.02 0816) "No society has managed to invest more time and energy in the perpetuation of the fiction that it is _moral, sane and wholesome_ than our current crop of _Modern Americans_." -- Frank Zappa
Originally posted by StaggerLeeThat arena is unreal! It is very nice and comfortable, and the prices on food, drinks, etc is well below the normal I have seen in 4 different leagues.
I would have a hard time NOT just checking the great one! But I am sure that would not go over well. If you ever get the time, come over to St Louis and see a game at the Family arena in St Charles. Not as nice as Desoto County Civic Center, but nice nonetheless.
Definitely nicer than Mid-South Coliseum, where they used to play. I wish they hadn't glassed in the penalty box, though, although that seems to be the trend at most new arenas.
As much as we travel, we may end up in your area sometime during the season. St. Louis is a fun city, although I've never seen a hockey game there.
If you want to see my pix from the exhibition game, I've uploaded some of them here
I have never been to a game at Savvis center. Had tickets to a nice Blues v Redwings game a few years back, but the ex wifes parents anniversery was that weekend, and we had to fly to Maryland that weekend. (So I snuck down to Richmond to see a game there LOL!) Savvis has some$15 seats on the ends, upper deck, may be the best way to test if I want toget more tickets later, for better games.
OH I've seen Just HOckey online at the INTHECREASE website. Havent really looked at it, but judging from your photos I may have to take a look! I usually prefer on a corner, high up, or the very top, very center. Best view of the entire ice surface!
One of the owners of ITC is now a part owner of Just Hockey, so we're kind of all working together. Since you're familiar with ITC, you may know of The Ice Pages, Tom Schettino's book of hockey player stats. This season, one of my pix will be on the cover.
If you get a chance to check out Just Hockey, let me know what you think.
Higher up is definitely the best place to see the entire rink. I shoot from the penalty box whenever they'll let me, and it's *really* hard keeping up with the puck at ice level. I don't know how the refs do it.
Pitt in 7 Det in 6 For those that care about minor league hockey, one of the AHL conference semis is also Pitt (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins) vs Philadelphia (Philly Phantoms).