Binghamton Senators: 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

How many more of these do I have to do? Fifteen? Oh. Well, at least one Conference is out of the way. Seventeen days to do fifteen teams?

Binghamton missed the playoffs last year, and have been eliminated in the first round twice since they won the Calder Cup in 2011. It isn't for a lack of trying, they have had only one losing season since that championship. They have been habitually in the upper-middle of the pack and that will keep them in the mix. They will be on the edge of another playoff run, but the question is will they have the energy to get back into it?

Home Opener: Oct. 10
Opponent:Albany Devils
Analysis: Binghamton finished right at .500 last year, and Albany was above .500 but was still ranked in a division ranked fourth out of five. Albany had one good year and was coming down from the high, I think they go back to winning less than half their games. This should be a fun way to start the season with with what is potentially an easy win and something Binghamton fans should be to see.

Opponents:

1. Rochester Americans
Rochester is a pretty consistent team in regards to annual performance, and it aligns well with how the Binghamton Senators. Since Binghamton doesn't have any carry over this year in regards to divisional rivals, Rochester should be an interesting match-up. Plus, living in Albany, you have an interesting mix of NHL teams competing for attention, including Rochester's big brother, the Buffalo Sabres. They play ten times.

2. Syracuse Crunch
Syracuse is the team that Binghamton has registered the most fights against. They're a comparable team  If you love hockey fights, keep an eye out for the Crunch games. Five home matches, ten times total.

3. Utica Comets
I'm starting to buy into the Comets. They have done nothing but get better. Is there a good chance your team might lose? Yes, but a tough fought victory is a fruit that is all the more ripe and sweet. Four match-ups at home and eight total match-ups

4. St. Johns IceCaps
If there is a team that Binghamton will have to get through to secure a play-off spot, it will be the new look IceCaps, whom is also a big brother rival. I think the IceCaps will look to improve, and they are the comparable teams that will provide the best hockey. They play eight times, four at home.

5. Toronto Marlies
This is another play-off favorite. If Binghamton wants to make it to the play-offs they will have to go through the them or at least keep up with them, and that means getting a few wins against them. They have six chances to get wins against them, three at home.

St. John's Ice Caps: 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.

Old IceCaps Vs, New IceCaps: A little on the nose, huh?
Creative commons: Zach Bonnell

St. John's has a new affiliate, and its a doozy. Admittedly, when I look at the Ice Caps I don't immediately think of the Canadiens the way I would for other teams. I'm hoping that this means I can be objective about the IceCaps without my immense hatred of the Canadiens stand in my way. Life as a Bruins fan who is blogging about the AHL for no real reason can be difficult like that. That said, last year, the Bulldogs didn't make the play-offs either. Probably because they were too busy hanging out with all of their celebrity friends. Then again, neither did the Ice Caps and they don't really have an excuse.  However, with a new look comes optimism and St. Johns certainly could be hungry to improve, especially as the new look team tries to forge its own new path. Of course, I'm not sure if they even have internet out in St. Johns, so if you're a St. Johns fan, are you even reading this?

Home Opener: October 17
Opponent: Rochester Americans
Analysis: It's a delayed start to the home season, but that is going to be the IceCaps season in a nutshell. Long road trips, long home stands, so its like two weeks on two weeks off. Its the only way they can do it really, so if you're a fan be prepared to binge and purge the hell out of this team because you have no other options.

Opponents:

1. Toronto Marlies
For reasons explained earlier on this blog, The Toronto Marlies are probably the best rival for the new look IceCaps. They are also an original six affiliate team that is a massive rival to big brother. While St, Johns is a lot further away than the two big brothers, (a two hour flight) there aren't many teams near St. Johns so beggars can't be choosers. 

2. Portland Pirates
Geographically speaking, this is the closest opponent St. Johns has. While there are lots of reasons for a rivalry, proximity is usually a good starting point. They only play four times, and aren't a divisional opponent, but really, they are the closest thing they have to competition. Ok, maybe I'm just talking this up too much now, but historically speaking, they were a divisional opponent last year, and all that bad blood just doesn't go away because of new alignment, affiliations and teams.

3. Utica Comets
They play last years Calder Cup finalists eight times. If the New Look IceCaps want to make their mark in this division, Utica is a good place to start. And as fans, you want to see your team take on the best and pull it off. That is how teams get swagger. So these are great bonding experiences for fans and great games to watch if you feel your team has momentum.

4. Binghamton Senators

Another classic NHL rivalry, and being in the same division means another good AHL rivalry. They play eight times. Let your love of big brother help feed your love of the little brother in these games, and expect that the AHL divisions will help make these games important.

5. Rochester Americans

I could talk some more about NHL rivalries, the 60th season, and so forth but let me simplify it. Americans vs Canadiens. Amerks and Habs. Now that is a hell of a nationalistic match up. Eight games. Four at home.

Utica Comets: 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: Doug Kerr

The Utica Comets are another one of those historical teams I would designate part of the AHL "original six." They started off in Quebec as the Beavers in the 30s but spent most of their years in Springfield MA, helping make the region home to the AHL, building its rivalry with Providence and subsequently Hartford, while winning seven Calder Cups. Of course, that was in Springfield, and the Comets have only been in Utica the past two years, where they haven't won anything. Last year Utica got close but stumbled against Manchester and lost in the finals in five games. However, with a new conference, and a pretty passionate fan base, Utica should be a fun team to watch this year.

Home Opener: October 27

Opponent: Rochester Americans

Analysis: Opening against a historical and divisional opponent like the Americans is a great way to open at home, even if it is a delayed home opener. But if you don't already have your tickets, don't bother. First two games at home are already sold out. It's a passionate fan base up there I guess and they are eager for a Calder Cup. It kinda makes me nervous about trying to figure out who the biggest rivals to this team are, but I think I can make some pretty good guesses...

Opponents

1. Binghamton Senators

Last year Binghamton ended the year against Utica 3-3 with all the losses coming in overtime. That says to me that they're pretty evenly matched and should lead to some good games this year. It also should help that Binghamton leads the top of Utica's fight charts. While Utica is far from Syracuse in regards to fight totals, its a good sign that these games will have a little extra heat. They play each other eight times total.

2. Toronto Marlies

Are they a New York team? No, but like Binghamton Toronto is pretty evenly matched. They also went .500 for wins/losses last year and made the play-offs. They will be the team the Comets might most have to contend with for a play-off spot so in terms of AHL parity, these match ups will be pretty even and fun to watch. They also play each other eight times total, four times at home.

3. Rochester Americans

Another historical team, and the Rochester Americans will be hungry for ways to make their 60th year special. I think Rochester is also very aware that the road to the Cup will probably go through Utica and so expect these games to have a lot of heat and passion The fact that the first of the eight times they played are sold out is a good sign that there will be a lot of energy during these match ups.

4. Albany Devils

Albany is kinda like that bad team that knocks mediocre teams out of the play-offs late in a season. In the past they kinda have ruined a lot of things. They beat Utica in their first ever home opener, when Gordie Howe dropped the puck and the won every game against Utica last year. Hell, Utica has never beaten the Albany Devils, and that is saying something. It's like how the Canadiens could be absolute garbage and still win against a top seeded Bruins team. They're just in the heads of the team. Luckily this year Utica gets more chances than ever to beat the Devils with eight match ups, four at home.

5. (Tie) Springfield Falcons/Hartford Wolf Pack

This one is all about history. They face off against the teams they once called a rival and a team from where they once called home. Granted is there any real history or rivalry? No, but if you're a hockey history buff, these games should be fun. You can pretend its the 1930s and drive up in a Ford Model T before seeing formerly Springfield take on Formerly Providence. They face off against both Springfield and Hartford four times each, for a grand total of eight times. (Utica might have the most balanced schedule in all of the AHL.)

@TheFalconsAHL @WolfPackAHL @DMeczywor But wait... Is that...THAT'S THE @UTICACOMETS' MUSIC! pic.twitter.com/TWY5oG4f6K

— Seth D (@The_Hockey_Prof) September 15, 2015

Utica Fans doing their thing, inserting themselves into every conversation... #CometsArmy

Albany Devils: 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: James DiBianco

Since moving from Lowell, the Albany Devils have only made the play-offs once. And they got knocked out in the first round. So if you're in Albany, the Devils might not be the biggest rally-horn for you. You might be more interested in the other teams around you. Seriously, Bridgeport has more playoff appearances since the move. If Bridgeport is the Cleaveland Browns of the AHL, Albany would be the Jaguars. Which means they should try to be hungry to compete, though in the words of Homer Simpson, "Trying is the first step towards failure."

Home Opener: 10/24
Opponent: Portland Pirates
Albany might have the roughest of the rough in terms of schedules this year. Not necessarily because of opponents, though there should be plenty of good competition, but because their home opener is a non-divisional opponent two weeks into the season. It's as though they decided, "Well, we don't play at home the ninth or tenth, let's just not play at home. This may help them later down the stretch but it doesn't feel like a home opener, and shouldn't be treated as such.

Opponents:
As I said in my Bridgeport Sound Tigers Games to Gun For Everyone. Everyone is a rival because you need to take that first step and over take one person to have a rivalry. Albany won't be showing up on anybody else's list in this division (outside of recommendations to see an easy win) mostly because they haven't been competitive, so they have to prove me wrong and make it worth it.

1. Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Am I reading the schedule right? Do the Albany Devils face the Sound Tigers, a non-divisional opponent eight times? Eight? The reason you want to see these games, its a comedy of errors. Two teams perennially ranked last in their divisions facing off. If there ever was a race for last place in the league, these two are top competitors. It's the toilet bowl, eight times. It almost makes me want to re-rank the Sound Tigers Opponents.

2. Syracuse Crunch
This team is the only divisional hold over from last year for the Albany Devils. Plus its a play off team, so its always good to unseat a team you know to be competitive. As a bonus, both the Sound Tigers and the Crunch led the league in fights last year. There is a good chance you will see one by targeting any of these match ups. They see each other eight times.

3. Utica Comets
They face off eight times, and of all the divisional rivals, they are the most highly skilled, placing second in the league in points last year. If there is anyone you want to take out, its the guy at the top and a Pyrrhic victory is still a form of victory.

4. St. Johns Ice Caps
I may be ragging on the Devils for being perrenial losers, but in the conference standings they had ten game points over the Ice caps. Granted that was the old Ice Caps, but if nothing ever really changes, then these eight games might be the best chance to see a win. Some how I doubt it, the new Ice Caps affiliate tends to be pretty good.

5. Binghamton Senators
They face off an odd nine(?) times and haven't changed dramatically since last year. When I talk about how comparable hockey means entertaining and watchable hockey, this is what I mean. These two teams are probably the best match up as far as comparability goes and your best chance at seeing a nice pair of evenly matched teams go at it.

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.

Non-commercial / Fair use,
  Amerks Hockey twitter

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...

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.

Syracuse Crunch: Games to Gun For

Syracuse Crunch's Favorite Activity
Creative Commons: CMBfoto

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.

The Crunch have a bit of a reputation as being big fighters. Or at least the numbers paint that. This is in large contrast to their affiliate, the Tampa Bay lightning which is perhaps better known as a high skill, finesse team. Perhaps its just a matter of location, Tampa Bay is far removed from upstate New York, where the fans tend to me more... well... passionate. (The nice way of saying drunk.) Unlike other AHL teams where Big Brother can help play a role in the rivalries, the Crunch are all alone where they are, meaning their rivalries are pure AHL.

Home opener: October 17

Opponent: Binghamton Senators

The Crunch start the season on the road against the Phantoms, but come home not to shortly after. Luckily its only one week, and one game so they should be plenty rested for a match against a divisional rival. Stay thirsty Syracuse, bring the heat and be ready to fight.

Opponents:

1. Rochester Americans

There are a few reasons why this team is the top of the list. The first is they are a divisional rival. Rochester is also a historical AHL team. Finally, Buffalo Sabres are their affiliate. Oh, and the bonus, the team the Crunch have the most fights against? Americans. The ten times they face off against eachother, including the five times at home should have something for everyone, from the NHL fans, to the local AHL fans, casual or hardcore. 

2. St. Johns Ice Caps

This a divisional rival and a Buffalo Sabres rival (And Tamba Bay Psuedo-rival) through the Montreal Canadiens. Granted the fight numbers are a little lower, I'm sure that just means the Crunch will need to catch up as they aim for number one fight total. They face of four times at home, eight times total.

3. Binghamton Senators

Really, most of the teams from upstate New York are going to be great rivals, the Senators meet ten times, five at each arena, Oh, and number 2 in the total fight count.

4. Toronto Marlies

Toronto is a good rival to both the Sabres and the Crunch. Its a nice middle of the pack rivalry, not too many fights but enough. Think of the Marlies as the team you see when maybe you want to see a decent hockey game without a fight, well, then the four home games against the Marlies might be a good chance.

5. Bridgeport Sound Tigers

I bet you were thinking I was going to go with the sensible choice, the safe choice if you will, and say the Albany Devils? You were wrong. Instead I went with the out of division team that they only play once at home. Why? One reason: Fights. In 2014 The Bridgeport Sound Tigers lead the league in fights, Syracuse was second. Bridgeport and Syracuse have frequently been at or near the top. So for two games this year, you have the biggest fighters in the league all together. 

Lehigh Valley Phantoms: 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.

PA Announcer @joewowk is ready for Phantoms hockey. Are you? https://t.co/2kPcHKoMJw #RiseUp 10.10.15 pic.twitter.com/aAMIejTDZb

— LehighValleyPhantoms (@LVPhantoms) September 11, 2015

Normally I find a real picture, but the tweet really says it best this time

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms are the last team in the North Division I have to cover here for Games to Gun for. Let's face it, its Flyers all around in that area. Your rivals are Flyers rivals. Your fan base, all Flyers, and luckily, the affiliate team is also the Flyers. Now, typically I'm not as big of a fan of such market saturation, but the team is far enough away to make it work, if you can get fans to buy in to either one or the other. Last year, the Phantoms failed to make the playoffs, settling for the low end of the spectrum at 13 in the conference, and only topping the Norfolk Admirals  in their (then) division. This year their slogan is Rise up (#RiseUP) which is a good goal because placing worse in their division would mean that the Bridgeport Sound Tigers did something better than you.

Home Opener: October 10
Opponent: Syracuse Crunch
Analysis: Hmmm how sweet this match up is. The Flyers have a reputation of being thuggish in the league, and the Crunch have been in the top five for most fights in the past three years. If you like hard hitting hockey, then I can't think of how perfect this match up should be. If there ever was a chance you might see an all out brawl on opening weekend, this game might be it. 

Opponents:
1. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
Local rivals, national rivals, twelve match ups, six at home. This is a great rivalry on all levels. The match ups at the national level, the match ups at the AHL level, they are never not rivals. As a Phantoms fan, you hate the Penguins. Penguins hate you. Hate equates to strong emotional play and strong emotional play is what makes for a great game.

2. Hershey Bears
Capitals are also a good Flyers rival, but not as big as the Penguins, and so forth. But Hershey is also a huge rivalry at the AHL level. They face each other twelve times as well, six times at home. A good chance to face off against the NHL rival, a local rival and good historic team while you're at it.

3. Hartford Wolf Pack
At the risk of repeating myself: Rangers, division, rivalry. That said, it wasn't until recently that the Wolf Pack became a division rival. Sure, the hate might be there, but it isn't there as it is with the previous two teams mentioned. They face six times, three at home.

4, Providence Bruins
There are no shortage of NHL/AHL rivalries in the division. Bruins are another one that has faded a bit in recent years on the Flyers side of things, due to how the competition has developed and competetor has developed, but there should be plenty of residual hate. Plus with the new divisions, it means that the Bruins are another opponent the Phantoms have to try to stand over. They play six times.

5. Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Normally I look for an out of division opponent to use at some point, but this one is easy. And it boils down to something said before: Bridgeport Sound Tigers are the worst team in the division. Phantoms were on the verge of being the worst team last year. That means that the Sound Tigers are going to look to over take the Phantoms to not be the worst, and Phantoms have to be afraid of that. Nobody wants to be the team that is the joke. Phantoms have to beat down the Sound Tigers first and foremost to prevent that from happening if they don't do so hot this year.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins: 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: Danielle

The Baby Pens are in a pretty highly contested area for AHL and NHL fans. They are towards the middle of PA where I'm sure the Flyers and the Penguins fans mix, and I'm not entirely familiar with the area, and this admittedly won't be my best work. (NFL season started last nigh and I'm from New England, so it was a state holiday.) But, with the amount of AHL teams in the area, you have plenty of local teams and national teams to drive the love (Or the hate) and the Let's just get into it. 

Home Opener: October 17
Opponent: Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Even though its a delayed home opening, this is the best game they could open with. Why?

Opponents:
1. Lehigh Valley Phantoms
It's a perfect storm of NHL and AHL rivals in close proximity to each other. These teams need to hate each other, and the fan bases are probably large enough for each of them that they should be going all out and supporting them and filling in the seats every time they meet. All twelve of these matchups should produce nothing but intense, emotional, entertaining hockey. Book your tickets for the home opener and revel in it.

2. Hershey Bears
The Bears aren't too far either, and as the Capitals affiliate they do pose some NHL edge too. But this is one of those things where proximity should drive rivalry and if you're close to the Baby-Pens, you are probably close enough to know Hershey and feel a geographical rivalry. They play twelve times, six times at home.

3. Providence Bruins
Divisional, and NHL rival. I don't need to tell Penguins fans that they hate the Bruins, and the Bruins hate them. No reason that the six match-ups can't be a nice outlet for that hate.

4. Hartford Wolfpack
Penguins also don't like the Rangers. Do they not like them as much as the Bruins? It's probably pretty close. Plus divisional rival. 

5. Binghamtom Senators
It's nice to see some opponents outside of the division. The Senators play the Penguins six times, including three home games. I haven't done too much looking outside of the Atlantic division, but if you are looking for something more casual where the level of the play will still be heightened by the fact that they will be familiar with each others style. It should lead to better hockey, but not as intense.

Portland Pirates: 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.

Wikimedia Commons

The Portland Pirates have a new affiliate this year to look forward to their new season. Last year Manchester knocked them out of the first round of the playoffs which is a shame because Manchester is now an ECHL team and therefore, no revenge can be exacted. Last year the Panthers had Goalie issues, and if those continue, the Pirates may struggle this year, but at least they aren't partnered with the Arizona Coyotes.

Home Opener: Saturday Oct. 17
Opponent: Hershey Bears
Analysis: Like the Bears, Portland opens on the road, unlike the Bears, Portland comes home much sooner. After one game against Providence, the Pirates come home to face divisional foe Hershey and have a week of rest before doing so. Ice is a little tilted in Portland's favor, but don't take that as a guarantee.

Opponents:
1. Providence Bruins
Last year the Bruins and the Panthers were in a tightly contested wild card race that neither of them won. If things go similarly this year, it could be more of the same, putting extra heat on this rivalry. More importantly they face the Bruins more than any other opponent, so it will be really familiar competition for the fourteen games, evenly matched home and away. Plus, Maine is still mostly Bruins territory if I recall, so its a great chance to see the Bs without a long drive.

2. Springfield Falcons
Last year Pirates were an Arizona Coyotes affiliate. This year the Coyotes are a Falcons affiliate. See where I'm going with this? Not only are they divisional rivals, but some of the players that moved with the Coyotes, will feel right at home. Well, not just because they played there last year, but also because Falcons and Pirates face off twelve times.

3. Utica Comets
They face off four total times, and aren't divisional opponents, Why bother with this game? Because Utica is a classic AHL team some other teams don't get to face off against. Plus I'm sick of writing about the Baby Pens and Phantoms.

4. Bridgeport Sound Tigers
As I mentioned before, Bridgeport has a lot to prove. But if they can't prove it, than the five times they face off in the Cross Insurance Arena have high probability of being wins. And if you want to go to a game, why not try to make it a game you're pretty sure the home team can win.

5. Hartford Wolfpack
They face off ten times and are part of my AHL Original Six. A divisional opponent, with history, whom was a playoff contender last year, and faces off with your team a fair amount? It's a winning combination for good hockey.

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.

Team Name

I'm being petty about this now. But this one can be much shorter because really, what's in a name?

Atlantic: Springfield Falcons

Fair Use. TheAHL

This one I may be a little biased towards. Springfield has been through plenty of name changes but Falcons are actually part of the city's iconography. Growing up in the area everyone got into a tizzy because there was a nest of  Peregrine Falcons that somehow captured the heart of the city. They still have the Falcon cam on top of Monarch place. It was just one of those weird things everyone seemed to care about for a bit when I was a kid. I don't know if it was a marketing stunt for the name change or not but it was still kinda interesting. It's a name that actually reflects the city its in very well, and because I don't live near cities in other divisions, its probably the only city to get the benefit.

Runner-up - Soundtigers.. I don't know what a Soundtiger is but it sounds fierce.

North: Rochester Americans

Fair use: The AHL

Canada has two NHL teams named after, well, Canadians. One of which may or may not be a slur, the other isn't even spelled right. That is why its so nice to see a team in America that does the ethnic name right. Not misspelled. Not some slur. Just Americans. For a team that is predominantly Canadian. It's a bit of a misnomer... But a misnomer done right!

Runner-up: St. Johns IceCaps. It sounds Hockey-ish.

Central: Lake Erie Monsters

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It just reminds me of how cryptozoology is a thing that exists and that they look for lake monsters. Its also an area appropriate name because Bessie is a legendary creature out there so its region specific and has that extra oomph of meaning. Plus I still don't know what the hell an Ice Hog is.

Runner-Up: Manitoba Moose. Alliteration? Check. Northern winter animal? Check. Name that can be bellowed at games? Check. Yeah, its a solid name all around.

Pacific: San Diego Gulls

Fair Use. The AHL

It's an odd choice. An interesting choice. While logistically I don't want to cheer for it, I just feel like its calling to me for some reason. I just don't get it. I hate seagulls. But I like the San Diego Gulls for some reason. That said, a few years ago the Wolfpack re-branded themselves as the Whale and changed it back when that failed. If any team could get away with it and go gangbusters in this post Anchorman world, its San Diego. But they don't have to because gulls works enough for me.

Runner-up: San Antonio Rampage The rest are mostly just retreads or kinda lame. Condors are on the verge of extinction. I do like Barracuda enough to call it second runner up because of, well, Jaws and the Heart song. But Rampage is first runner up, because of, you know, Archer.

Best Mascot

Going off of a post from yesterday, I'm going to continue to judge the AHL teams by their aesthetics in the hopes that it will help me choose a team to cheer for. Today it is the mascots. Some of you may be crying foul since the mascots often appear in the logo, but I'll forgive your ignorance since a mascot on paper is not a mascot in real life and what looks good in Microsoft Paint, may be the stuff that gives children's nightmares in real life.

Lets get to it.

Atlantic: Hershey Bears

Discounted tickets for fans of @TheHersheyBears for tonight's game: http://t.co/zVJPNi7Qmj And Coco will be here! pic.twitter.com/LLWKfftkGS

— York Revolution (@yorkrevolution) June 8, 2015

It's name is Coco! Open and shut.

Fine, I'll consider the others. Remember that thing  I said before? About logos looking good on paint but mascots being the stuff of nightmares? Check and mate is the Phantoms mascot, which looks like tye-dye fanatic. I would say google it, but don't. It's like doing a google image search to self diagnose a wart. It can't be unseen. The Falcons mascot is also equally angry.  Penguins was a deranged muppet looking creature with eyes and no head. The providence mascot is also kinda scary. Most of them were scary, but the Portland Pirates pulled up one good design and one bad design so to be safe, they both lose. The Wolfpack and Soundtiger mascots were surprisingly good, but...

IT'S NAME IS COCO AND IT LIVES IN HERSHEY!

North: Toronto Marlies

One more round of congratulations for @IAWildCrash14, our 2015 Mascot of Character! 👏 pic.twitter.com/konoFZWhJD

— Iowa Wild (@IAWild) August 17, 2015

Surprisingly hard. So, easy ones to dismiss, Ice caps. I like the puffin, but don't make it look so sad. Then again, it lives in Utica, so maybe that's just a sad place to be. Senators, you mascot looks like an axe murdering cartoon character. Rochester, your moose looks like its on pain killers. This is an intervention. As for the real contenders, Albany, you were so close but the dog is just too fat and fat people make me sad, but overall really good. Utica, I really like your Alien design, compared to the Lehigh Night Terror, you get it right, but ultimately Marley in his latest state is just simple enough to work. I would say tie, but I think of it this way, which one looks more hugable? Sure, I may want to have a drink with the Utica mascot, but the Marlies mascot is just more approachable. Just don't Google Syracuse Crunch's old mascot.

Central: Iowa Wild

One more round of congratulations for @IAWildCrash14, our 2015 Mascot of Character! 👏 pic.twitter.com/konoFZWhJD

— Iowa Wild (@IAWild) August 17, 2015

Dear god, how many of them want to eat children?

All of them. All of them do. But more importantly, why is the Lake Erie Monsters mascot a bird? And if it had to be a bird, why did it have to be a bird that eats children? What the hell goes on in the
Midwest to make these things acceptable? Wild gets it because the only one that wasn't angry, or had eyes proportional to its head. I'm looking a you checkers mascot!

Pacific: San Antonio Rampage

#TBT T-Bone circa 2002! pic.twitter.com/ovzOWiaE75

— San Antonio Rampage (@sarampage) May 7, 2015

Uhmm, San Diego, I can see the face of a person in your mascot. Just letting you know, it kinda loses the effect... Oh, and if I can trust the words of John Hammond, Condors are on the verge of extinction, and I can see why base on how ugly that mascot is. That said, this was the hardest division to choose a favorite mascot. For one, I don't think the Stars or the Barracuda have one yet. The heat mascot is so stupid I almost chose it on principal alone, but it really came down to San Antonio and the Reign. San Antonio's mascot with its bare white eyes makes me feel like I'm looking at an actual cartoon, and the effect is almost hypnotic. The reign on the other hand have a dark knight who rides an ATV and slays dragsons. It is clear cut winner. But, evidence on the facebook page makes me think that the dark knight might be getting retired, so on the basis of not being sure, I have to declare San Antonio the winner.

Best Logo

This is just a dumb side-commentary, just me thinking about what teams I feel like I should invest most of my time, and I'm judging right now on the most shallow criteria possible:

Looks.

I mentioned in an earlier blog where aesthetics are key, so its important. So, my choices for best logos from each division.

Atlantic: Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Fair use

This is kinda a hard one bt the Phantom being the Flyer logo twice was a nice touch. But then again, the competition was a jacked up/drugged out penguin, a decent entry with the Falcons logo, a cat and a dog that don't look distinct enough from eachother, a classy bear, an overly complicated pirate and less effective retread of the Bruins logo.

North: Syracuse Crunch

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This one was a little bit easier. There were some very classy ones such as the Rochester Americans which evokes patriotism and reminds me of Captain America. The Utica Comets is distinct and reminiscent of an actual NHL logo in many ways, and the Albany Devils retread is kinda cool in how it works out, almost better that the NHL devils logo. As for the rest, IceCaps are just meh, the Senators are kinda scary looking, and the Toronto Marlies are like the Bruins in that they aren't a fun retread of the NHL logo. Syracuse Crunch however is just a neat superhero design that brings me back to my days as a kid reading Silver Surfer. And since as a kid I didn't read Captain America, the Silver Surfer design is closer to my heart.

Central: Iowa Wild

Fair use: Public Domain

Ugh, I so want this one to be a tie. The Charlotte checkers logo is so nice in how it evokes a real top-grade team feel. Its the sort of logo that can really go on a hat. Simple but distinct. But that said the Wild Logo is just classy. It has that warm, rustic feel to it that makes me feel at home. It is just a great example of how the NHL logo works well with the AHL logo. Plus compared to Insanity Wolf Meme (whom WILL eat your children), angry moose (whom will also eat your children, albietly more slow), the lake monster whom will eat your children provided they go swimming, your friendly cartoon skull and cross-bones adamant on feeding your children poison, and finally biker pig and generic griffin whom probably won't hurt your children, but will probably be dicks to them none-the-less, the wild logo is just pretty and non-threatening. I could look at it all day.

 You have two fantastic standouts among a sea of duds. I don't want to have to choose. Screw it. It's a tie.

Fair use

Pacific: San Diego Gulls

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This was perhaps the easiest of them all. Attitude Barracuda, is just a 90s video game reject I feel, Rampage is classy but lacks flair, Condors is too complicated, Heat and Ontario retreads suck, and while the Stars retread works, it isn't enough to overcome the originality of the Gulls logo. It feels like its out of a Mighty Ducks movie, which brings the AHL back to a more kid friendly state of mind. At least one infinitely more kid friendly than the Central division.