Springfield Falcons: Games to Gun For

Picture courtesy of Dinur, creative commons

Games to gun for will go over specific games and opponents fans might want to see. Criteria are based upon AHL rivalries, fun teams to watch in the AHL and regional rivalries between the local NHL teams. Consider it a guide for casual fans to know how to get the biggest bang for their buck.

First up on the slate are the teams I'm closest to locally. Since I have studied the Falcons Schedule more, in part due to work obligations, I have come up with a list of top 5 opponents to target in regards to games to see.

First things first.

Home opener: October 10th

Opponent: Hershey Bears

Analysis: This is a great game to go see. Its on a Saturday, the team is still optimistic and hopeful as they don't have a losing record yet, and they're playing against a team that has won the Calder Cup the most throughout history. Springfield and Hershey are pretty much the AHL's version of the Original Six so its a great game to go to, filled with history and a divisional rivalry. Plus these teams will only meet up 4 times throughout the year so this is a great chance for people in  the Springfield area to see a team they won't have too many chances to see.

Opponents to watch out for:

1. Hartford Wolfpack.

This is the dead give away. They face each other eight times and the beauty of the rivalry is they are so close geographically you can drive to Hartford and catch all eight. And the two teams clearly aren't on good terms, as their twitter accounts will show. Hartford and Springfield are always going to be a fun game.

2. Providence Bruins

If you live in Mass, you're probably a Bruins fan, which is what makes the 14 times these teams meet so special. It's a rivalry without hate. Good competitive hockey while Bruins fans get a chance to see the prospects that will be called up when injuries happen. Plus, they are a divisional opponent so even if your interest is more invested in the Falcons, its still an extra edge to the competition.

3. Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

This is a good one to love to hate. The Flyers are a big rival to the Bruins, you love to hate them, and the Phantoms are a divisional rival to the Falcons. A lot of hate to go around. If the Wolfpack is the most hated rival, Phantoms would do well as a second place team in this instance. 

4. Wilkes-Scranton  Penguins

Like the Phantoms, but probably a little bit less hated by the NHL Bruins fans. They're also a divisional rival so its good to help support the rivalry.

5. Syracuse Crunch

Not a divisional rival, or an affiliate rival, but their affiliate did go to the Stanley Cup last year, so they are worth checking out. Plus they have a pretty good reputation for starting fights, which means there will be a high likelihood of a fight. They play the Falcons only four times so it would be a good one to shoot for if you can.

Honorable Mentions: 

Bridgeport Soundtigers - They're also very local, southern Connecticut, which helps the rivalry. They just haven't been competitive. They made the playoffs once and got knocked out in the first round, and have had last place finishes three times since 2011. It's nice to go to for a nice win though.