Before the thread closed, I was discussing why I thought it was time for the Spectrum to close. The Phantoms are minor league hockey and they bring in families and kids, and thats terrific.
Personally, I'd trade them to not sit in traffic on the way home from an event and have something to do in that area. It's otherwise a ghost town, and I'm getting a little old to be drinking after the event at a tailgate.
I was sad to hear about the Phantoms being sold. There are one of the main reasons I'm such a huge hockey fan today. During their first season here I went to a few games (in particular a penalty filled playoff game against the Hershey Bears) that turned me from a casual fan into a fanatic. I'll have a lot of great memories of this team particularly their two calder cup runs (both of which I went to almost all of the home games).
I was sad to hear about the Phantoms being sold. There are one of the main reasons I'm such a huge hockey fan today. During their first season here I went to a few games (in particular a penalty filled playoff game against the Hershey Bears) that turned me from a casual fan into a fanatic. I'll have a lot of great memories of this team particularly their two calder cup runs (both of which I went to almost all of the home games).
Let me ask you something, and answer truthfully......do you honestly go to more than 5 Phantoms games a year? And, if so....do you go to more Phantoms games than Flyers games?
I'm really hoping to make it to at least one game at the Spectrum before the end of the season. School in Baltimore has really put a damper on my ability to go to games.
Let me ask you something, and answer truthfully......do you honestly go to more than 5 Phantoms games a year? And, if so....do you go to more Phantoms games than Flyers games?
Back when they first came around, so many people used to go. Sadly though, the attendance soon died off.
whoever made the point about Springfield being division rivals with Hartford(NYR), Lowell(NJD), Providence(Boston). Very good point. teach em at the AHL level to build up the hatred at the AHL level. That is of course if the Flyers move there.
Springfield Phantoms. Might have to get used to that.
Back when they first came around, so many people used to go. Sadly though, the attendance soon died off.
That's because in the beginning minor league hockey in this town was a novelty and was marketed as an inexpensive alternative to the Flyers. Add to that identifiable players like Frank Bialowas and you had a successful endeavor.
After the first Calder Cup season that novelty really wore off and the organization had to scramble to re-brand the team (trading Frank Bialowas on Frank Bialowas night was probably one of the stupidest things this team ever did. Yes, they brought in Dennis Bonvie, but Bialowas was a cult hero in this city). That re-brand was today's affordable family friendly Phantoms, which cost the Phantoms many season ticket holders (myself being one of them).
Another problem is what the AHL product has become. Games like the ones that whatthef described (which I was at too and remember vividly as early in the 1st period the Phantoms were 2 men short and everyone felt the game slipping away until Bruce Coles intercepted a pass and scored a short handed goal that completely changed the game. I believe the Phantoms won that game in a blowout) are few and far between now. If the AHL was still a rough and tumble league then maybe things would be different, but as the NHL has changed so has the AHL.
All of this said I don't want people to think that I'm not a fan of this franchise because I am (although not nearly as much as I used to be). Further if there was a realistic way to keep them in town I would be all for it. However, the Spectrum has lived a good life, but is now a shell of what it once was and is a horrible venue when there is only 2000 people in the stands.
Just as we got used to having our AHL team across the parking lot, we will get used to having our AHL team somewhere else and we will just have to rely on fans in whatever city they go to to join this forum and keep us updated on how our players are doing.
While Peter Luukko came out and said that AC is not an option, perhaps the Brooks group feels differently, but from all of the articles it doesn't look that way.
With all due respect, AC just isn't a good spot for minor league hockey. Even the worst drawing teams draw well if they make it to their league's championship and the Bullies couldn't even do that. I went to 2 of the finals games and if there were 3000 people there (many who were Phantoms STHs) it was a lot.
I was sad to hear the Phantoms were sold. The cup clinching game in 05 is one of my top hockey memories to date. Hopefully we will get an affiliation relatively close.
I was sad to hear the Phantoms were sold. The cup clinching game in 05 is one of my top hockey memories to date. Hopefully we will get an affiliation relatively close.
I agree. Obviously it wouldn't be as easy as it is now, but I always enjoyed getting to go see future Flyers trying to work their way up the big team.
Since the Penguins owner now owns them, I would assume they would become the Penguins minor league affiliate. Maybe the Flyers could poach WB/S?
Do they not own Wilkes-Barre Scranton???
I am mad about the fact that it was soo easy to switch guys between teh minors and the NGHL- the orginization was pretty much 1 big system. We could easily move players back and forth- they played across teh street fg4rom each other
I am mad about the fact that it was soo easy to switch guys between teh minors and the NGHL- the orginization was pretty much 1 big system. We could easily move players back and forth- they played across teh street fg4rom each other
It was a luxury. Talk to the San Jose Sharks who had the Cleveland Barons as their farm team. Other teams have done it, are doing it, and are doing fine with their system.
I am mad about the fact that it was soo easy to switch guys between teh minors and the NGHL- the orginization was pretty much 1 big system. We could easily move players back and forth- they played across teh street fg4rom each other
Yes, the Pens own WB/S.
The Flyers and their AHL affiliate will now have to work like virtually every other NHL/AHL team does. Frankly it's just not that big of a deal.
My guess is that the Phantoms name will be "retired" and the franchise will get a new identity.
I certainly hope not, but I have a feeling you could be right.
I tried to send Comcast Spectator a message via their website telling them that I was disappointed with their decision and felt that it was a bad move as they own the Flyers, so ultimately it is best for them to directly control their minor league team- but the message system wouldn't work (I'm aware the message wouldn't make any difference in what has happened).
I certainly hope not, but I have a feeling you could be right.
I tried to send Comcast Spectator a message via their website telling them that I was disappointed with their decision and felt that it was a bad move as they own the Flyers, so ultimately it is best for them to directly control their minor league team- but the message system wouldn't work (I'm aware the message wouldn't make any difference in what has happened).
If the team isn't going to be in the immediate area I think, out of respect for those players that donned a Phantoms sweater that the name should be retired.
