Well, duh... wink

AHL Attendance Thrives During NHL Lockout

In another thread, puckman1 posted

Unfortunately Spokane is bucking this trend, and attendance here is down 9% so far this season. From an average of 6,293 last season to 5,611 this season so far. But, its not hard to figure out why either. For most of the first half of this season Spokane has been mired in the cellar of the U.S. Division, and is still so, being 4 points out of 4th place. Nowhere to go but up baby!

They're missing Manitoba in that attendance article. They are the number one team in the league in terms of numbers. The new MTS Arena sure has helped with that, of course. It's only a matter of time before the NHL returns to Winnipeg. That is, IF the NHL does return.

A hard-core Jets fan can hope, right?

The Phila. Daily News is running a feature where they look back at each game of the Flyers' 35-game unbeaten streak from twenty-five(!) years ago. This is from yesterday's paper:

Hehe, thanks for that... well, at least they were successful for a few years. It was a shame that we lost them, but hopefully now, this lockout will turn the image and the price of hockey around.

The Long Beach Ice Dogs now have a seven game unbeaten streak, having defeated the Idaho Steelheads 3-2 last night. This is the Dogs third straight 3-2 victory (what a rut wink ) All in attendance received a card with addresses/phone numbers/website of organizations working to aid the tsunami recovery and it was announced that the Dogs were donating a portion of last night's gate to that cause.

Funny moment from the game: Dog Yuri Moscevsky scored with under 15 seconds left in the first period after having hit the post a couple of times earlier in the game. Instead of immediately getting back into the flow of the game, he threw his arms up and did a victory skate around the rink, taking in the applause of the 4500 person crowd. The Dogs are now just three points behind Bakersfield in the West Division of the East Coast Hockey League.

~Adam

I know I have been out of the loop a little bit with my hellish December work month, plus the holidays and all, but I just totally missed this post. Finally, we agree on something, BPT .

LET'S GO WOLFPACK!

Just this past Tuesday, the Rochester Americans played a home game at Buffalo's HSBC Arena against Edmonton. They set an Amerks attendance record of 17,898(cap 18,690). It was great to see the arena filled like that.

Stay home NHL players, who needs you!

17,898!! That's amazing & wonderful--did the Sabres normally get that kind of crowd? Oh, and welcome--and enjoy Chipewa Blvd!

~Adam

Not on a Tuesday night with a team that hasn't made the post season since #39 was in goal for the blue and gold....ummm, I mean red and black(I will get used to that logo eventually).

Adam....you mentioned Chippewa St.....seems like you've been out this way before?

I do. I just can't get that interested in minor league hockey or the world junior championships or college hockey. Sure, it's better than nothing but it's not the NHL. For all its problems, it's still the hockey I enjoy the most.

A few minutes ago at halftime of the football game on ABC, they did a montage of highlights from various sporting events they televised through the year. They completely skipped the NHL in the montage.

The overpaid NHL doesn't compare to my guys here in the CHL who are playing for love of the game, because they certainly aren't going to ever be millionaires. I respect that a lot more.

Besides, I don't have to mortgage the farm to go to the games and have a beer. Last Avalanche game I went to cost me $200+ for two people the last eagles game I attended was $50 for two and we had much closer seats.

http://www.coloradoeagles.com/

I agree with you Denver Fan about how affordable non-NHL-hockey is, plus the biggest advantage that I see about so called major-junior hockey like I have here, is that we get to see future stars in the making, before they get to the NHL, and these "kids" are just as passionate about the games as are the big boyz of the NHL too. wink

I miss the NHL as well. But I hope the players got a strong message last Tuesday night in at least one NHL town that people will fill an arena for hockey that doesn't involve them.

Til then, I'll keep making the occasional ride up the Rochester to get my fix

I'm with Joe of Dilly fame on this one; though I attend some Ice Dogs games down in Long Beach, I miss my Kings and the NHL in general. Watching the ECHL or (when I can) some AHL or the Juniors makes me appreciate even more the skills of NHL players & agree with Barry Melrose's (I can't believe I agree with him about anything) assessment of the NHL: "The best hockey in the world." (Though I really like the hockey played at the Olympics, too.)

As for Chippewa, work takes me to the Buffalo area about twice a year and I always find myself on that street.

~Adam

Dilly? Like a pickle?

Since the Phantoms' record 17-game win streak, they're 5-10 including a 5-game losing streak in one stretch -- well, technically it's 5-5-2-3 for 2 OT losses and 3 shootout losses. That sounds better than 5-10. wink But they still have a 6-point lead in the East Division.

On Sunday night they're holding ceremonies to honor the initial inductees into the Phantoms Hall of Fame: Bill Barber, their first coach who led them to the Calder Cup in their second year of existence, and Frank "the Animal" Bialowas. His nickname should give you a clue as to what he's most famous for, but if it doesn't, in 156 career games as a Phantom, Bialowas had 12 goals, 16 assists and 555 penalty minutes. wink

[ January 07, 2005, 01:16 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

Remember the Phantoms? Seems they are really struggling -- since that 17 game win streak they are 9-13-2-4, and currently are on a 2-7-0-1 stretch to fall to 4th place in the division. The 3 teams ahead of them all have 61 points to 58 for the Phantoms, so it's not like they're out of the playoffs, but it makes you wonder what's going on.

The game between the Phantoms and Hershey Bears from the Spectrum (you know, that arena the Flyers used to play in, just like they used to play in the Wachovia Center... ) is on Comcast Sportsnet. The Phantoms just won 4 of 5 on a road trip and are back in a first-place tie in the tightly contested AHL East Division -- 68 points for Phila. and Binghamton, and 67 points for Norfolk and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Hershey is in the same division and has 61 points.

And tonight is their Teddy Bear Toss night -- fans are instructed to throw the bears after the Phantoms' first goal, with the bears being distributed to local children's hospitals. Better not get shut out. wink

Another note just mentioned on the telecast: the referee was stuck in traffic and was almost late for the game. Had he not made it, none other than NHL ref Kerry Fraser was standing by to fill in.

Meanwhile, one of the Phantoms was suspended for two games because of actions in a recent game. His name is Ben Eager. The Phantoms have another player named Ryan Ready. I only mention this because I can sort of take a liking to guys who are ready and eager. wink

[ February 25, 2005, 04:10 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

How could kerry Fraser have stepped in? I thought all NHL referees had agreed not to work in any of the minor league games?

I think the stuffed animal throw--a lovely idea--is fairly common in the minor leagues; the Ice Dogs do one where fans are encouraged to throw stuffed dogs with all toys being donated to the Dept. of Family Services & the Valencia Vipers (also here in southern California) donate stuffed animals from their animal throw to the Northridge Medical Center.

~Adam

He hasn't taken anyone's job, which is what the referees agreed to. He just happened to be there and offered to fill in if needed, apparently.

A couple of ESPN.com articles...

Why the AHL is enjoying one of its best seasons ever

A look at how the rules changes are working -- this is interesting because scoring hasn't really gone up much.

ha ha ha!

Once again here in Buffalo, the fans have come in droves to see AHL Hockey. Tonight, 15,288 showed up to see the Rochester Amerks defeat the Cleveland Barons at the HSBC Arena, this goes along with the 17,898 back in December for an Amerks game.

This is one NHL town that will welcome back hockey in whatever form it takes. Bring on the replacements, the fans will still come. Even in a strong union town such as Buffalo.

What was the reaction to the blue ice and orange lines?

I found it to be just another gimmick the more i thought about it.

Could you imagine baseball coming out with an orange baseball turf with red foul lines and black dirt. I know it wouldn't happen and sounds silly but you get the idea.(We don't see people coming to Boise State in droves to watch a game on blue turf)

The more I saw it the more I thought about Fox TV with its blue laser following the puck everywhere it goes.

Maybe this type of thing might go over well in a non traditional market, but last night I got the sense that people just shrugged it off and didn't think much of it, at best.

The above-mentioned Frank Bialowas returns to action at the Spectrum tomorrow night.

In his pro boxing debut! eek!

The caption for this picture says he's the first hockey player-turned-boxer? I wonder if that's accurate?

Colorado is cutting its ties with the AHL Hershey Bears. They are possibly looking at a Colorado team in the Central Hockey League to convert it to an AHL team or a major junior team.

Oh, and you'll be happy to know that Frank Bialowas won his boxing debut over a 261-pound opponent (i.e. a fat stiff) in 57 seconds.

The Phantoms have won 6 of their last 7 and clinched a playoff spot last night. They have a one-point lead over Binghamton in the East Division with 7 games to play (to Binghamton's 6).

Attention BPT336: This Friday night the Phantoms take on the Bridgeport Sound Kittens for the final time this season.

That night the Phantoms will wear replica jerseys of a team that has the briefest history here: the Philadelphia Blazers of the old WHA. After the game the jerseys will be auctioned off for charity.

Joe, kittens have claws and if you are not careful, they will scratch your eyes out. eek! Plus kittens don't know any better and are cute!

Oh yeah? Come down here and say that to my face! I ain't afraid of no Sound Kitties! wink

I got into work today and found I had a message on my voice mail. So I retrieve the message and hear: "This is Frank 'The Animal' Bialowas..." I was thrilled that it wasn't work-related. Turns out the recorded message was to sell tickets for yesterday's game in which they gave kids Frank Bialowas bobbleheads.

Oh, and that game on Friday vs. Bridgeport? I think it was, ummm, canceled. Right, it was canceled! On account of....errrmmmmm...snow. Yeah, that's the ticket! eek!

[ April 11, 2005, 10:03 AM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

I believe you "Joe n Phlly" really I do. So when do you get to take off the eye patches hmmm??

Well, you just be sure to keep us informed as to how Bridgeport is doing in the AHL playoffs starting this week...oh? They're not IN the playoffs? wink

The Phantoms, however, are. They finished with 48 wins (thanks to that 17-game win streak early on; take that away and they were 31-25-3-4), second-highest in team history. But they finished in second in their division to Binghamton so they face the Norfolk Admirals in the East Division semifinals for the second year in a row starting Friday. Last year's playoff series was won by the Phantoms in 6 games, but Norfolk won this year's regular season series 6-4.

The AHL playoff matchups:

Atlantic Division -- Series "A" (best-of-7)
A1-Manchester Monarchs vs. A4-Providence Bruins

Atlantic Division -- Series "B" (best-of-7)
A2-Hartford Wolf Pack vs. A3-Lowell Lock Monsters

East Division -- Series "C" (best-of-7)
E1-Binghamton Senators vs. E4-Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

East Division -- Series "D" (best-of-7)
E2-Philadelphia Phantoms vs. E3-Norfolk Admirals

North Division -- Series "E" (best-of-7)
N1-Rochester Americans vs. N4-Hamilton Bulldogs

North Division -- Series "F" (best-of-7)
N2-St. John's Maple Leafs vs. N3-Manitoba Moose

West Division -- Series "G" (best-of-7)
W1-Chicago Wolves vs. W4-Houston Aeros

West Division -- Series "H" (best-of-7)
W2-Milwaukee Admirals vs. W3-Cincinnati Mighty Ducks

The Lowell Lock Monsters?? The Manitoba Moose?? Team sweaters I have to get--and wear proudly!

~Adam

Although I don't really follow the AHL, they certainly have some interesting team names (besides the Moose and Lock Monsters mentioned above, I like the Albany River Rats!) The Lowell Lock Monsters were the Calgary Flames' AHL affiliate for the past few years, and had the distinction of being the only AHL team 'shared' by two NHL teams, the other being the Carolina Hurricanes. However, starting next season, the Flames will have their own AHL team (a little closer to home), an expansion team based in Omaha.

There was an interesting item on CBC news a few nights ago regarding the St. John's Maple Leafs, who are in the playoffs, as Joe indicated above. After 14 years in Newfoundland, to the dismay of loyal fans, the team will be re-locating to Toronto next season, largely due to its isolation and high travel costs (St. John's is significantly closer to Ireland and the UK than it is to North America's west coast). I drove by the St. John's arena, adorned with the familiar blue logo, when I was there last summer The move to T.O. necessitates a name change, to avoid confusion with those other Maple Leafs. Apparently they will be called the 'Marlies', which I'm sure must be a salute/throwback to the old Toronto Marlboroughs minor league team.

Hello hockey fans!

I found out for myself how hard it is for a new team to set up a niche even in a hockey-mad city. 8853 might look like a nice average for the Edmonton Roadrunners, but with better marketing it could have been even better.

They marketed to families and kids, not hockey fans, so it became a daycare, especially for the Saturday afternoon games, which got people in the seats, but not passion.

Soon the writing was on the wall, the RRs are a stop-gap solution.

What kinda pissed me off though, was how they were treated by the Edmonton media. They were ignored when they did well in the first half, then ripped into when they collapsed. Pretty harsh.

Welcome, Tikk.

I think most minor league teams in all sports are marketed more to families than to more hard-core sports fans in general, at least to some degree. Considering that there was no NHL to compete with, I would think it would've been a good idea for teams to market to both.

East Division semifinal game one goes to the Phantoms, 3-1 over Norfolk. They got two power-play goals against the best penalty-killing unit during the regular season. And game 2 Saturday night will be televised here on Comcast Sportsnet! Woo-hoo!

[ April 22, 2005, 10:40 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

There was a nice article a few days back in my sports section about maybe 7 or 8 former Spokane Chiefs now playing, and active in the AHL. I don't recall too mny of the names off of the top of my head.

The Phantoms win game 2 by a 3-0 score and lead the series 2-0. They got second-period goals by Todd Fedoruk, who played for the Flyers until the lockout, and Jeff Carter, who WILL play for the Flyers after the lockout. Games 3 and 4 are Monday and Wednesday in Norfolk, as is Game 5 on Friday (if necessary).

Don't know if there will be any more telecasts. They were lucky that the Phillies game was on over-the-air TV and the Sixers' playoff game was this afternoon on ABC, so Comcast Sportsnet had nothing but junk to replace.

Game 3 in the East semi went to Norfolk by a 3-1 score over the Phantoms. Series is 2-1 in favor of Philadelphia. Game 4 on Wednesday and Game 5 on Friday in Norfolk. Whatever happens there will be at least one more home game for the Phantoms -- either game 6 of this series or a game in the next round.

Future Flyer Jeff Carter scored twice and added an assist as the Phantoms scored a 4-1 victory tonight at Norfolk, taking a 3-1 series lead. They can clinch the series with a win on Friday night.

The Norfolk Admirals stayed alive by beating the Phantoms 4-1 on Friday. They scored their first two goals as part of a 25-shot first period barrage, yet the game was just 2-1 through 2 periods. Two goals in the first 5 minutes of the 3rd clinched it. Game 6 is back in Philadelphia tomorrow night at the Wachovia Center. It's a playoff doubleheader like the old days -- 76ers-Pistons at 1 pm, followed by hockey, just with the wrong hockey league.

The winner of this series faces the winner of the Binghamton-Wilkes Barre/Scranton series. WB/S has a 3-2 lead over the regular season East Division champs.

Update on the other series:

In the Atlantic Division the top 2 teams were both knocked out in 6 games -- 1st place Manchester sent home by 4th place Providence and 2nd place Hartford done in by 3rd place Lowell. The Lock Monsters live, but will they be mauled by the Bruins in the Atlantic finals?

Another 2nd-place team was eliminated in the North Divison as the Manitoba Moose knocked out the St. John's Maple Leafs in 5 games (St. John's is now moving on to become the Toronto Marlies -- had the series gone to 6 or 7, those games were scheduled to be played in Toronto at the Air Canada Centre). The Moose now meet 1st-place Rochester, who swept their series with Hamilton.

In the West Division, #1 Chicago got past #4 Houston in 5 games and #2 Milwaukee is tied with the #3 Cincinnati Mighty Ducks at 3-3. Their game 7 is Sunday in Milwaukee.

[ April 30, 2005, 08:49 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

...and it's over! The Phantoms win 4-2, rallying from a 2-1 deficit in the 3rd period to finish off Norfolk and win the series in 6 games. They face Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the Battle of Pennsylvania, also known as the East Division finals, as WB/S beat Binghamton (the regular season division champs) 4 games to 2 (after losing the first 2 games--they're the 15th team in AHL history to do that).

The Cincinnati Mighty Ducks did them a bit better, as they become the 13th team in AHL history to rally from a 3-1 series deficit to win. They got a goal with 13 seconds left to win at Milwaukee, knocking out the defending Calder Cup champions.

The division finals are now set:

Atlantic Division -- Series "I" (best-of-7)
A3-Lowell Lock Monsters vs. A4-Providence Bruins

East Division -- Series "J" (best-of-7)
E2-Philadelphia Phantoms vs. E4-Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

North Division -- Series "K" (best-of-7)
N1-Rochester Americans vs. N3-Manitoba Moose

West Division -- Series "L" (best-of-7)
W1-Chicago Wolves vs. W3-Cincinnati Mighty Ducks

[ May 01, 2005, 08:06 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

Congratulations on your Phantoms--I'm sure you'll offer the guys a special victory gift (as only you can. wink ) Will you be able to get to any of the Phantoms/Penguins games?

Just on name basis, I hope the Moose win.

~Adam

I'm having mysel....err, something...wrapped up right now. wink

Funny you should ask, since I just bought a ticket to Wednesday night's game one -- row 1, seat 1, near center ice (on the side where the penalty boxes are). I may take my camera.

It cost $35 (plus the evil Ticketmaster charges), which I am guessing might be for that row only; their advertisements say that walk-up prices are $16, $20 and $21 for adults. (Save $1 if you order in advance -- a WHOLE dollar! )

Sitting in row 1, seat 1, don't just bring your camera, bring breath mints for those upclose and personal moments with the players. wink

~Adam

Oh dear Lord, I just discovered Brad Larsen of the Chicago Wolves:
http://www.chicagowolves.com/team/Larsen.htm

There was a great picture of Brad in the Chicago RedEye, he now sports a shaved head with a five o'clock shadow. WOW>

Well, they have this glass that sort of prevents the type of up-close and personal moments that I'd prefer. wink However, my seat was the first seat next to the penalty box so, despite the presence of an usher and a railing between the sections, I got a few pics of Phantoms in the penalty box. I also got some during the game, but I don't know that they're particularly great. Hockey is a fast-moving game, you know. I'm not sure how professional photographers do it. Anyway, when I move them onto my hard drive and look at them I'll be able to judge them better, and then I'll post them somewhere and post the link here.

Oh yeah, and the Phantoms won 4-1 to take a 1-0 series lead over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The Flyers' two most highly touted prospects, Jeff Carter and Mike Richards, both scored a goal (Richards in his first professional game), as did Flyer Todd Fedoruk, who also had an assist on Carter's goal -- but Fedoruk had a glorious chance on an open net and missed. Sad.

It was fairly closely played in the first period but Fedoruk came out of the penalty box and got into a rush that led to the aforementioned assist on Carter's goal that made it 1-0. The Phantoms scored twice in the second and were never challenged again, as WB/S didn't score until about 3 minutes were left in the game.

Interestingly, I read that another highly touted player, Marc-Andre Fleury was replaced in the WB/S goal by Andy Chiodo after losing game one of their last series, and Chiodo led them to their victory over Binghamton. Tonight after the Phantoms got their 3rd goal, Fleury replaced Chiodo.

I had to endure two women who would not shut up the entire game, yapping and yapping at the players and officials. If it weren't for some idiot who called a WB/S player named Drew Fata "a commie" and "a terrorist" I would have to start a movement calling for separate seats by gender at sporting events. wink

Congratulations to your Phantoms. I'm sure your presence helped guarantee the victory. May I add my desire for a baby-free zone at games to your gender separation idea?

~Adam

Amerks win game 1, coming from behind in the playoffs for the fifth straight time!!!