Post Game: Hershey Bears vs Springfield Falcons

That got ugly quick.

Eddie Shore would not be happy.

But first things first. It is clear that the Falcons bought into providing a better presentation this year. They have a new jumbotron that looks like it takes up half the ice. It is beautiful and all to often I found myself looking at it as the glass was rattling six inches away from my face. They are giving fans every reason they possible could to buy into this product, taking the jump and the leap that are light years superior to products of the past.

Well, in terms of presentation that is...

Massive new Jumbotron

Springfield had a good start to the game. Puck handling was a little sloppy all around, but it was comparable hockey, and it could have just been the condition of the ice. The first major problem was a blown 5-3 that the Falcons couldn't capitalize on. Neither team could capitalize on any of their 5-3 power plays. There were 3-4 of them so special situations defense was strong or offense was weak.

What was really weak was Springfield goal tending. In the first period, Springfield goalie Truetle looked way out of his league and definitely not ready for the start. Springfield has a new coach for the AHL this year, maybe he thought a new untested goalie might bring a spark to the new team? Whatever the reason, Truetle looked unready, posting a save percentage of .833 % on thirty shots, but a lot of soft goals with clear lanes and looks.

After one period the Falcons were already down 2-1, with a good goal on a 2 on 1 break away that gave me confidence about the Falcons maybe coming back and making it competitive, but then period 2 happened. I don't think the Falcons got a single puck on net. They got chippy and got dumb penalties. In that period they did manage to kill off one of the 5-3s but, ooh, ugly. Two more goals with no answer.

Falcons Celebrate their only goal

It didn't seem like the Falcons were communicating. They were banking pucks with nobody knowing where they were going. They tried to break through the blue line by passing into the areas of tightest coverage, or carry it over themselves when open guys could have had an easier time. The ice didn't help, a lot of slipping and falling but there was much to improve upon.

The Bears however proved why they were part of the class of the AHL. Their 5-3 defense was astounding. They played nice and tight, didn't chase and didn't let grant many opportunities. They were disruptive in the neutral zone. It's always hard determining credit or blame in a game this lop-sided. Maybe the Bears are just that good, or maybe the Falcons are just that bad this year, its hard to tell. Springfield might be in for a long year.

Who to Watch: Opening Night Pt. 2

So tonight is opening night for the rest of the league. After last night's mixed results there are a lot more options to check out tonight.

On the slate: Moose and Marlies, Falcons and Bears Baby Pens and Sound Tigers, Amerks and Comets, Ice Caps and Wolfpack, Crunch and Phantoms, Devils and Senators, Checkers and Wild, Admirals and Wolves. Rampage and Stars, Reign and Condors, Griffins and Gulls, Icehogs and Heat.

A lot of games, with Moose and Marlies going back to back after a decent game last night. Icehogs and Amerks also coming off of a win. Top three games in no particular order:

3. Hershey Bears at Springfield Falcons
Get ready Springfield, your new look Falcons should be more competitive. I will be there live at the game providing the in depth coverage all two of my readers expect of me. Keep an eye on this game by following me on twitter, @dmenty17.

2. Rochester Americans and Utica Comets
Comets have had a meteoric rise, so the question is can the Amerks follow up their home opening win with another against a stronger opponent. Plus, the Amerks radio broadcasters are pretty entertaining. Might be worth a listen just to hear them babble on.

1. Grand Rapids Giffins and San Diego Gulls
Both have pretty talented big brothers. In the past the Griffins were pretty good, and the AHL affiliate for the Ducks, not as much. However, the Gulls did pretty good in the lower prospect leagues. The big questions are if the Gulls are going to pull in the numbers and gain the energy to help make them more competitive in the new market. Hockey isn't new to the city, but now its a bigger hockey stage. I wanna see how the new energy and uniforms translate to their performance.

PS. Screw you Condors. It's you and the Wolfpack that are my rock-bottom most hated teams. I hope you lose all your games. You know what you did.

Hershey Bears: Games to Gun For

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.

Creative Commons: Teka England

The Hershey Bears are one of the most historical franchises in the AHL. Think of them as an original Six city of sorts when it comes to the AHL. There is a lot of history and a lot of Calder cups, 11 to be exact so they are an AHL team worth your attention, and their winning history and stylish, classy and classic logo have earned my attention. Of all the teams I'm most eager to learn about in the AHL, the Hershey Bears are at the top of my list. Since I'm starting to get out of my areas of knowledge, I'm going to do the best I can from here on out and these blogs might get updated further down the line. Or maybe next year when I get a year under my belt. 

That said, Hershey Bears have made my job easier with some nifty schedule breakdowns on their schedule page. Bonus points to them there.

Home opener:Saturday Oct. 24,

Opponent: Hartford Wolfpack

Hershey starts off with a loooong road trip and they don't open at home until about two weeks after many of their divisional opponents. By the time they play, it might not even feel like a home opener at all, but still, they're playing a divisional opponent and should be plenty ready for this match. If they are looking to start the season, why not start with some revenge against the team that knocked them out of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.

Opponents:

1. Wilkes-Barton Scranton Penguins

I have typed those words so many times, and I'm not even sure if I'm spelling it right. Its a divisional, regional, affiliate rival whom also has an affiliate in the same state. Its a good storm where if you're a Hershey fan, or a Caps fan, they can earn your ire, or if you're a flyers fan in the area, same thing, or if you're a Penguins fan who lives in the area, this team is probably on your list. These teams face twelve times, so if volume=rivalry, they're also high on the list with twelve games, six at home.

2. Lehigh Valley Phantoms

See: Penguins. Much of that reasoning applies here, only you're more in Flyers home territory anyway, so you're more likely to want to see a home game. Like the Penguins, they face twelve times, six at home.

3. Springfield Falcons

This is more about AHL history if anything. They don't meet often, only twice at each location, but if you get the chance, it should be fun for the fact that Springfield is home to seven Calder Cups, second most out of all the active locations in the AHL. Granted, not all by the Falcons, but still, its a classic match up. 

4. Syracuse Crunch

They only meet six times (More than some divisional rivals) and they don't have as much at stake, but there is one important reason to go to this match up: fights. Syracuse loves to fight and has been at the top of the league, or around it for a few seasons now. Maybe it was because their mascot was a coked up, psychotic Sasquatch, and with a new mascot, that might change as they continue to shift away from that, but I hope they still continue to put up some fists. Sometimes, all you want to see is a trench war and this is probably the match up that will best exemplify that. 

5. Birminghamton Senators

This one is added by the volume alone. They face off four times at home, four times away. While they aren't divisional, they see each other as often as a divisional opponent. That makes sense because last year they were a divisional opponent... But that's the volatility of the AHL for you, rival one year, next year they're chopped liver, year after that they could be in the ECHL for all you know. I'm pretty sure there isn't any love lost between the two in any case.