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

.@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.

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.

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

.

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.

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.