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.
Showing posts with label Rochester Americans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rochester Americans. Show all posts
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Recap: Opening Night Double Header
So, for opening night I kept my eye on two games adequately enough for full recaps. Lucky readers, its a two for the price of one, providing you guys insight into the operation of maybe teams. What a bargain!
So, let's start with the dumpster fire.
Rochester Americans: 6
Lake Erie Monsters: 3
Heading into this game, the biggest question on my mind was, "Who, pray, who was going to win the intermission Hot Dog Race?!?" My money was on Red Hot, with no bun to slow him down like White Hot, nor the tired stoner eyes seen on Beer Brat, and look that screams, "I'm ready to go!" Alas, I was wrong.
Curse you White Hot! Curse you!
If I had a second question, it would be if the Amerks could start off their historic season strong, and they got the win. Not just the win but the first goal of the season. The team celebrating their 60th anniversary in the league celebrating its 80th gets the first goal of the season? Only thing more poetic would be if it were the championship, but I'm not jumping on that bandwagon yet..
After the first period, Amerks had a commanding lead and were playing well, and then in the second period they forgot how to play and let the Monsters catch up. From there on out it was turnovers, dumb penalties, and generally sloppy play. Rochester could be optimistic about the fact they had a hat trick in game 1, and their goalie has a save percentage of .921 for the first game, but if they want to improve I would have to hope they improve on the mistakes. Also, they might not be as lucky if they continue to allow 38 shots on goal, and not spend more time in the offensive zone, but a win is a win. One where they started strong and ended strong at least. That said, it came at a cost as Center Phil Varone was either ejected or left with injury after committing and unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
If you're a Lake Erie fan however, I would be concerned about your goaltender. .783 save percentage against 23 shots. Really soft goals too. Lake Erie also made some bad mistakes. There were a lot of penalties. It was a lot of time in the offensive end, but not much to show for it.
I thought it was a sloppy game all around, but hey, mistakes balance out.
Now what I thought was the better game.
Wilkes-Barre-Scranton Penguins: 2 (OT)
Providence Bruins: 1
This isn't to say there was sloppy play, but it was compensated with two outstanding goalie performances. Each team had over 40 shots on goal. The baby pens were so close to a fantastic shut out when the Baby Bs tied it up with less than two minutes to go. Crucial timing, and then...
Bruins lost. Like immediately starting overtime.
Bruins as an NHL organization have this habit, one really good period, one really bad one and have a terrible power play.. The baby Bs were really strong in the first period, dominating, but let a goal slip by in the second, and couldn't capitalize on any of their power plays. While the Baby B's were more consistant, they definitely are built in Big Brother's mold, for better or worse. What is encouraging is that their goalie is off to a relatively good start and if that level of play continues, Zane McIntyre might end up jumping over Subban in regards to who the Bruins can deal for prospects.
The Baby Pens did get the win, despite the penalties and their goal tender also impressed, Matt Murray is entering his second season and has been a dominant goalie in the league since being pulled up. While I don't think either the goalies are in a race to replace either Rask or Andre-Flurry, both are setting their teams up for strong goal tending futures.
Plus there was a pretty good fight in this game. I said it when I did the Providence Bruins games to gun for preview, it was going to be a great game and I'm sure if you went you were not disappointed. I mean outside of the fact the home team lost.
So, let's start with the dumpster fire.
Rochester Americans: 6
Lake Erie Monsters: 3
.@zweigleshots intermission Hot Dog Race is back. Any guesses on tonight’s victor? Tweet them to us! pic.twitter.com/zdfHhT2mAJ
— Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) October 9, 2015
Heading into this game, the biggest question on my mind was, "Who, pray, who was going to win the intermission Hot Dog Race?!?" My money was on Red Hot, with no bun to slow him down like White Hot, nor the tired stoner eyes seen on Beer Brat, and look that screams, "I'm ready to go!" Alas, I was wrong.
.@zweigleshots intermission Hot Dog Race is back. Any guesses on tonight’s victor? Tweet them to us! pic.twitter.com/zdfHhT2mAJ
— Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) October 9, 2015
Curse you White Hot! Curse you!
If I had a second question, it would be if the Amerks could start off their historic season strong, and they got the win. Not just the win but the first goal of the season. The team celebrating their 60th anniversary in the league celebrating its 80th gets the first goal of the season? Only thing more poetic would be if it were the championship, but I'm not jumping on that bandwagon yet..
After the first period, Amerks had a commanding lead and were playing well, and then in the second period they forgot how to play and let the Monsters catch up. From there on out it was turnovers, dumb penalties, and generally sloppy play. Rochester could be optimistic about the fact they had a hat trick in game 1, and their goalie has a save percentage of .921 for the first game, but if they want to improve I would have to hope they improve on the mistakes. Also, they might not be as lucky if they continue to allow 38 shots on goal, and not spend more time in the offensive zone, but a win is a win. One where they started strong and ended strong at least. That said, it came at a cost as Center Phil Varone was either ejected or left with injury after committing and unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
If you're a Lake Erie fan however, I would be concerned about your goaltender. .783 save percentage against 23 shots. Really soft goals too. Lake Erie also made some bad mistakes. There were a lot of penalties. It was a lot of time in the offensive end, but not much to show for it.
I thought it was a sloppy game all around, but hey, mistakes balance out.
Now what I thought was the better game.
Wilkes-Barre-Scranton Penguins: 2 (OT)
Providence Bruins: 1
This isn't to say there was sloppy play, but it was compensated with two outstanding goalie performances. Each team had over 40 shots on goal. The baby pens were so close to a fantastic shut out when the Baby Bs tied it up with less than two minutes to go. Crucial timing, and then...
Bruins lost. Like immediately starting overtime.
Bruins as an NHL organization have this habit, one really good period, one really bad one and have a terrible power play.. The baby Bs were really strong in the first period, dominating, but let a goal slip by in the second, and couldn't capitalize on any of their power plays. While the Baby B's were more consistant, they definitely are built in Big Brother's mold, for better or worse. What is encouraging is that their goalie is off to a relatively good start and if that level of play continues, Zane McIntyre might end up jumping over Subban in regards to who the Bruins can deal for prospects.
The Baby Pens did get the win, despite the penalties and their goal tender also impressed, Matt Murray is entering his second season and has been a dominant goalie in the league since being pulled up. While I don't think either the goalies are in a race to replace either Rask or Andre-Flurry, both are setting their teams up for strong goal tending futures.
Plus there was a pretty good fight in this game. I said it when I did the Providence Bruins games to gun for preview, it was going to be a great game and I'm sure if you went you were not disappointed. I mean outside of the fact the home team lost.
Friday, October 9, 2015
Who to Watch: Opening night
Wow, it's October. #isitoctoberyet is finally done.
Remember 15 blogs in 17 days? Ha ha ha ha. Past two weeks have sucked. But hockey is here and it's time to get excited for minor league hockey!
Anyway, for opening night, providence hopes to get a better start to the season than big brother did against Wilkes Barre. You got the marlies vs the moose in a non division match up. Monsters and amerks. Rockford and San Jose, griffins and condors. What games should you pay attention to? My top 3 in no order.
3. Wilkes Barre and Providence.
It's a division game where the teams are rivals at all levels. It is going to be interesting to see how they handle the division moves and see If the hate can be building.
It's a division game where the teams are rivals at all levels. It is going to be interesting to see how they handle the division moves and see If the hate can be building.
2. Lake Erie and Rochester
I wanna see how Rochester handles opening the season at home for their historic season. Probably the game I'm going to be keeping an eye on the most due to where its scheduled
I wanna see how Rochester handles opening the season at home for their historic season. Probably the game I'm going to be keeping an eye on the most due to where its scheduled
.
1. Rockford and San Jose
Sharks and blackhawks have been great teams over the past 10 years or so, and a lot of that comes from roster depth and development. Probably the best match up. With the new team location, I want to see San Jose justify their new team and show me that San Jose deserves more hockey.
Sharks and blackhawks have been great teams over the past 10 years or so, and a lot of that comes from roster depth and development. Probably the best match up. With the new team location, I want to see San Jose justify their new team and show me that San Jose deserves more hockey.
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Rochester Americans: 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.
As I have mentioned before, the Rochester Americans are a historical AHL team. This year they are celebrating their 60th anniversary as a franchise. They have six Calder Cups, one for every decade the franchise has been around, however its been exactly a decade since they've seen more than one opponent in the post season. This is certainly a trend the Sabres Affiliate would hope to amend. Making the playoffs is nice and all, but its also nice to make it past your first round. Fun fact, Rochester, Utica, Hershey, Milwaukee, Iowa, Binghamton, Portland, Manitoba and San Antonio are all older than their NHL counterparts. Hartford Wolf Pack was founded the same year as the Rangers, along with a few other expansion teams that formed the same year as their affiliate. That means greater than 1/3 of the AHL is as old, if not older than their NHL team. For a league as volatile as the AHL, that says a lot about both the NHL and the AHL...
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| Non-commercial / Fair use, Amerks Hockey twitter |
Home opener: October 9
Opponent: Lake Erie Monsters
Analysis: The Amerks open up their historic season at home against a non-divisional opponent. This is what eats me up on the inside. I think the opening game of the season, one where the team will be celebrating opening its 60th year would be so important and should be a game you go to. However...
Opponents.
1. Utica Comets
This is by far the superior match up. Utica is one of the teams I consider to be an original six team, and the salt in the wound is that they play the next night. It's such a huge oversight and a flaw in the schedule that it actually upsets me. I'm sad that the Americans don't get to open against the best opponent, a historical AHL match up, for their historical season. I'm very tempted to say, no, that game against the Monsters is just an exhibition match and this is the true home opener. Blow off game one, and make Game 2 the true start to your season. Then watch as the comets face off eleven more times (five at home for the Americans). Help make the season special by watching two teams who have been around for a long time face off.
2. St. Johns Ice Caps
Follow up that history with more History. St. Johns has been around for a while too you know. And to make that sweeter, they are the Canadiens affiliate. Even more history, and an NHL rival of the Sabres. History, passion, and competition are the three magic words that make hockey be beautiful. See them at home up to four times, or travel to see them all eight.
3. Syracuse Crunch
Another one of my AHL original six opponents makes the list! They meet ten times, five of those will be at home. As I talked about on the Crunch games to gun for blog, expect fights.
4. 5. 6. Hershey Bears, Hartford Wolf Pack, Springfield Falcons
I'm going off the beaten path a bit here, and for the rest of the blog. Normally I would say, make it about the division rivalries, but I think in a historic season, getting to see historic opponents outweigh that true blue rivalry. Sure, you can have a good time watching them go up against Albany, ect, but as I mentioned before and could rehash my original six blog, make these games a priority. They face the Bears once at home, Hartford twice at home, Falcons once at home.
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