Roaming The Rinks

Arena # 14 - First Arena in Elmira, New York, home of the Elmira Jackals

We go on our fair share of hockey road trips here at RTR, but Arena # 14 on the list features the place that we always come home to.  With the smallest market still standing in the minor league hockey, Elmira's First Arena provides a little glimpse of how hockey used to be in small towns in North America.  Local fans love their hockey, hate the refs, and heckle opposing goalies mercilessly.  First Arena is a simple building that fits well in the blue collar setting that is Elmira.  It may not be fancy, but the sight lines are great, seats close to the ice, and, when its 3,875 seats are full, First Arena is about the most intimidating place in the league for opposing players.  Throw in frequent appearances from high school pep bands to get the crowd fired up and you have the recipe for a unique hockey experience.  We are proud to call First Arena our home arena, and, although you may call its nomination to the list a "homer call", you will understand why if you catch a game here.  

Check out the full review and photo gallery at:  http://www.roamingtherinks.com/firstarena.htm

Previously unveiled members of the FUN FIFTEEN ARENA COUNTDOWN:

Arena # 15 - Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound, Ontario, home of the Owen Sound Attack

http://www.roamingtherinks.com/bayshorecommunitycentr.htm

Stay tuned all summer as we unveil a new arena in the FUN FIFTEEN ARENA COUNTDOWN every Saturday. 

How it works-  Although we have seen lots of different venues we are not bold enough to say that this list is a list of "the best hockey arenas in North America" simply because despite seeing so many different arenas (over 100)  we have still experienced hockey at  small fraction of the places available to view big-time hockey.  Since the rankings all come from me you can be assured that the rankings will be consistent.  

What we consider when making the list-  There are a ton of factors to consider when ranking arenas.  Architecture,  fan experience, crowd support, the tradition of the particular hockey market in question, and most importantly atmosphere all come into play.  We don't attend games to check out the jumbotron, have a $5 hotdog, or get a bobblehead giveaway.  We attend games because we want to experience hockey in all of the ways it is presented.  What's most important when considering if an arena was a great one or not?  Well, if the place ties in most or all of the above listed attributes and you can say you had fun then it will surely be near the top.  We want fans to check out the reviews of these arenas and hopefully make plans to experience some of these places yourselves.  The most important factor is that intangible feeling that you get when you leave a great arena after the game and can say "that is what hockey is all about".  The fifteen arenas on this list will certainly have that X factor.

Arena # 15 - Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound, Ontario, home of the Owen Sound Attack

The first arena to crack to FUN FIFTEEN is simply known as The Bayshore.  This simple 3,000 seater is among the most fun places we have ever been.  This arena is nothing fancy, and neither is the city of Owen Sound, but the thought of having big time OHL hockey in a market of only 22,000 makes this place special.  Owen Sound loves the Attack, and the Attack love Owen Sound.  The main reason this arena experience cracks our favorite fifteen-  the fans are amazing, welcoming and knowledgeable and know how to support their team.  From The Bayshore's simple exterior, to its very nicely done local sports hall of fame, to its park-like setting steps from the Georgian Bay, to its amazingly supportive fans, this is an incredible place to experience hockey.

Check out the full review and photo gallery at:  http://www.roamingtherinks.com/bayshorecommunitycentr.htm   

Stay tuned all summer as we unveil a new arena in the FUN FIFTEEN ARENA COUNTDOWN every Saturday. 

How it works-  Although we have seen lots of different venues we are not bold enough to say that this list is a list of "the best hockey arenas in North America" simply because despite seeing so many different arenas (over 100)  we have still experienced hockey at  small fraction of the places available to view big-time hockey.  Since the rankings all come from me you can be assured that the rankings will be consistent.  

What we consider when making the list-  There are a ton of factors to consider when ranking arenas.  Architecture,  fan experience, crowd support, the tradition of the particular hockey market in question, and most importantly atmosphere all come into play.  We don't attend games to check out the jumbotron, have a $5 hotdog, or get a bobblehead giveaway.  We attend games because we want to experience hockey in all of the ways it is presented.  What's most important when considering if an arena was a great one or not?  Well, if the place ties in most or all of the above listed attributes and you can say you had fun then it will surely be near the top.  We want fans to check out the reviews of these arenas and hopefully make plans to experience some of these places yourselves.  The most important factor is that intangible feeling that you get when you leave a great arena after the game and can say "that is what hockey is all about".  The fifteen arenas on this list will certainly have that X factor.

The offseason is a time of hockey withdrawal for fans.  It is also a time to reflect on the best teams, games, fights, moments, and arenas we have experienced this past season as well as throughout our hockey lives.  We at RTR are fortunate to have seen games at over 100 different hockey arenas and wanted to keep the hockey spark going during the offseason for our readers by offering a countdown of our favorite arenas.

How it works-  Although we have seen lots of different venues we are not bold enough to say that this list is a list of "the best hockey arenas in North America" simply because despite seeing so many different arenas we have still experienced hockey at  small fraction of the places available to view big-time hockey.  Since the rankings all come from me you can be assured that the rankings will be consistent.  

What we consider when making the list-  There are a ton of factors to consider when ranking arenas.  Architecture,  fan experience, crowd support, the tradition of the particular hockey market in question, and most importantly atmosphere all come into play.  We don't attend games to check out the jumbotron,. have a $5 hotdog, or get a bobblehead giveaway.  We attend games because we want to experience hockey in all of the ways it is presented.  What's most important when considering if an arena was a great one or not?  Well, if the place ties in most or all of the above listed attributes and you can say you had fun then it will surely be near the top.  We want fans to check out the reviews of these arenas and hopefully make plans to experience some of these places yourselves.  The most important factor is that intangible feeling that you get when you leave a great arena after the game and can say "that is what hockey is all about".  The fifteen arenas on this list will certainly have that X factor.

We'll start the countdown next Saturday and continue until mid-Sepember when hockey starts to kick into gear again.

Before that here are 2 arenas that failed to make the FUN FIFTEEN ARENA COUNTDOWN, but are certainly worthy of honorable mention, not only because both were great places to experience hockey, but because neither is still standing as a hockey venue for future fans to enjoy.

Honorable Mention #1 - Wachovia Spectrum,  Home of the Philadelphia Phantoms 

Best known as the home of the Flyers in the Broad Street Bullies Days the Spectrum lived on as a hockey venue and we were fortunate enought to see the Phantoms play there in their final season in Philly in 2008.  Although too big as an AHL building, you could feel the hockey history while inside the arena, and catch a bit of the Philly hockey vibe while there.  Sadly the building was demolished and no longer exists.

Check out the full review at:  http://www.roamingtherinks.com/wachoviaspectrum.htm

Honorable Mention #2 - Windsor Arena, home of the Windsor Spitfires

Old, worn out, cramped, and outdated best describe The Barn, but we were fortunate enough to see the Spitfires in their final season at this 1924 era arena.  Despite the shortcomings this place had amazing atmosphere and rabid fans.  Sadly the building is no longer a hockey arena, although parts of the structure remain as part of a shopping center of sorts.

Check out the full review at:    http://www.roamingtherinks.com/windsorarena.htm

Stay tuned each Saturday throughout the Summer as we continue the FUN FIFTEEN ARENA COUNTDOWN

Outdoor hockey seem to be all the rage these days.  Even leagues like the USHL are getting on board, and the NHL has had high budget events at such venerable settings as Fenway Park and Wrigley Field in recent years.  College hockey has had its share of cleverly named events as well, including the "Cold War" game at Spartan Stadium where Michigan State took on Michigan, and the "Frozen Tundra Hockey Classic"  at Lambeau Field, featuring the Wisconsin Badgers versus Ohio State.  Even the Swedish Elite League has made an annual outdoor game an attraction since 2009.  Perhaps the most unique setting for a game to date has been the 2009 KHL All Star Game, which took place at a temporary arena in Red Square in Moscow.  With the seemingly endless list of new outdoor venues, from Hamilton, to Hartford, to Spokane, to Syracuse the novelty of an outdoor game seems to have almost jumped the shark.

                                              

With the announcement of 2 Austrian League games to be played at Pula Arena in Pula Croatia the thought of outdoor games just got a whole lot more interesting.  Can you imagine hockey played in a Roman Ampitheatre that is so old no one is exactly sure when it was built?  Just the fact that this place was built in either the first century BC, or the first century AD, yet still stands to this day is cool in and of itself.  The fact that there will be professional hockey played there in September is almost inconceivable.  This game won't really be as much about the game itself, but rather about the unlikely backdrop.  Roaming The Rinks will not be booking a flight to Croatia for this one, but the thought of this game was too good not to mention here.  Until there is hockey played on the moon it is gonna be hard to top this one.      

I admit I am not that up on pop culture or celebrities.  In fact I haven't really watched any network TV series in at least 10 years.  I do remember watching "Entertainment Tonight" one evening in high school on my brithday and learning that I share a birthday with Emmanuel Lewis- you know, the short statured baby faced actor who starred as Webster Popodopoulas in the TV comedy "Webster".  Not only did we share the same birthday, but he was delivered in a hospital on the same date in history as I popped into the world, 41 years ago. 

I had not thought about Emmanuel Lewis in ages, but when you see him you instantly recognize him from the TV show.  I was taken aback when, while walking the concourse of Galt Arena Gardens in Cambridge, Ontario,  Webster himself appeared, there to root on the visiting Brantford Golden Eagles.  It seems that Emmanuel had been helping  set up a movie studio on the reservation outside Brantford, so when in Canada, do as the Canadians do and watch some hockey.   I don't generally get too excited about celebrity sightings, but come on man- this is Webster!  Must be folks born the same day as me are destined to turn up at the nearest hockey arena. 

The playoffs are always a time of renewed fun.  You get to battle the same team for up to 7 games, and develop new hatred for players on the opposing team.  A playoff series against your arch rivals is about as much fun as you will encounter, and you need to pace your nerves, and your voice, to withstand the grind if you are a loyal fan.  When it was announced that my Elmira Jackals woulds play the Reading Royals in the ECHL's first round, I knew that despite Reading being a number 8 seed they would be a formidable and tough opponent. Having the 5 game schedule set at the first 2 games in Reading and the last 3 at home I knew it would be especially difficult. Reading did indeed take the first 2 games and an early lead in game 3.  Then it happened:  The Jackals started their comeback.  Jackals fans were as rowdy and boisterous as I have seen in a long time, and we had a focal point of our emotions, Reading goaltender Mark Owuya. 

Owuya is an incredible young Swedish goalie, and spent a good part of the year in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies.  Having a .960 save percentage in the first 2 playoff games showed his prowess.  There were just those other couple things that got the Elmira fans jacked up.... you see Owuya is an aspiring rapper, and was on Swedish Idol displaying his hip-hop skills.  Word got around First Arena pretty quick via Facebook and word of mouth that we were dealing with a saggy pant, sideways hat wearing beat master.  His rapper name is Mark In Da Park, and this gave Jackals fans all the ammunition needed to launch a merciless heckling campaign which I have not ever seen around here.  Things were kind of mild in game 3 (the first home game for the Jackals) and then the boiling point came.  The Jackals came back late in the game, got 2 empty netters to claim a 5-2 win.  With 3 seconds left in regulation Owuya threw a  tantrum and flipped the net forward in defeat.  Game on if you are a Jackals fan as the photos above (which I take no credit for) started going viral on Facebook and were plastered around the arena in various spots, and the Jackals fans had a new rallying cry.  "Flip The Net, Flip the Net" could be heard from almost the opening puck drop in game 4, and the crowd was as into it as ever.  Game 4 also ended with 2 empty netters by the Jackals in a 3-0 win, and Owuya obliged the fans who had been heckling him about his rapping and chanting for him to flip the net by toppling the net once again, albeit at the end of the game this time.  The decisive game 5 went down to the wire again, and the Jackals comback was complete.  Owuya didn't flip the net this time though, he simply skated to the bench, got in the handshake line, and would be on the way to picking up his golf clubs, err, microphone for the summer.  Thanks Mark Owuya and the Elmira Jackals and fans for an unforgetable and entertaining series which I will not soon forget.           

We see a lot of different and cool things through our travels to arenas each year.  There are the typical between period contests such as tricycle races, the typical fan shot from center ice, the occasional weiner dog race, and we even took part in the world record attempt at setting off the most whoopie cushions at once at an Albany RiverRats game a few years ago.  Sometimes you get to see something that seems completely typical on the surface, such as zamboni rides, but turns out to be uniquely cool once it takes place.

My visit to Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo had zamboni rides, not unlike many arenas we have seen.  What was inspiring, and hit special place in the heart of hockey fans, is the fact that K-Wings fan Mary Ellen Burdick was taking a zamboni ride to celebrate her 80th birthday!  Mary Ellen was likely attending hockey games in the days of Gump Worsley and Rocket Richard, but for one night she got to wave excitedly to fans from atop the ice resurfacer.  Her joy and smile was clear from the top row.   Go Mary Ellen.  Glad to have seen it and best wishes (albeit a bit late).   

Labor Day Weekend is here.  Preseason hockey is already underway in many of Canada's Junior Leagues, and the rest of the hockey world will be back in action within about a month.  For Roaming The Roaming Rinks this weekend also starts the hockey season, at the Elmira Jackals Pro Placement Camp.  This event with 2 days of scrimmages usually kicks off our hockey for the year, and gives that first hockey fix after a long summer.

Sure this camp is essentially a pay-to-play event where players spend a few hundred bucks in hopes to be one of the very few who get invited to training camp for the Jackals, or picked up by a Federal League squad.  The talent level runs the gamut from guys with legit minor league experience, to guys who got overlooked out of junior or college, and even a handful of guys who are barely able to hang with the rest of the guys in their men's league.  Nonetheless these guys hit the ice and play hard and give it their best efforts in chase of a dream.  Throw in a few inevitable scraps and the tryout camp is a great way to start off the season for the hundred or so fans who show up to watch these guys play. 

It is old news by now, but most of you have probably already heard that the powers that be in Devils land have pulled the plug on their ECHL affiliate in Trenton.  At Roaming the Rinks we are fortunate enough to see a wide variety of hockey played in lots of different markets, in various leagues.  There are loads of successful organizations who do things right and keep fans interested.  There are also those teams that once you leave the arena, you figure the team may be on borrowed time due to its limited fan support.  RTR has seen a lot of weak, unentertaining, lackluster organizational performances, but 2 that come to mind are the Lowell Devils, and sure enough, the Trenton Devils.

That's not to say the players were not hustling and giving it their all, but after my visit to both arenas in 2009 I came away with 2 distinct similarities:  A severe lack of attendance and fan interest, and an overwhelming feeling that the red, black and white Devils logo was being shoved down the fans' throat. Its as if the Devils came into an area and simply hung their name over the door where the once loyal fans of the prior teams would enter and said "you now have a team owned by an NHL club and you will like it"  and no further effort was done to attract, or even keep, people in the seats.   Although the Lowell Lock Monsters were never near the top of the AHL attendance board, they did develop a bit of a following.  The trouble was that one of the few things more boring than the trap is the way the Devils handled their minor league affiliates which they themselves owned.

Trenton, although having an arena located in an area where most folks don't want to hang around just for the fun of it, supported the ECHL's Titans with a loyal fanbase and had good attendance and successful teams.  Enter the Devils organization and you have a recipe for a mass fan exodus away from Sovereign Bank arena (or whatever you want to call it these days).  Some blame it on having Devils red in an area only 45 minutes from the Flyers home.  It seems to me it was apathy of the Devils organization which drove away the fans by putting a weak product on the ice, and didn't give the fans a reason to spend their hard earned bucks on the team anymore.  The photos above show empty barns in both cities, and frankly that is a shame.  This post is not meant to attack the fans of these 2 cities, but when I was looking back through our photo archive it became painfully obvious that the empty seats made these moves unavoidable, and both Lowell and Trenton were operated in nearly identical fashion despite having excellent buildings for hockey.   Hopefully Trenton gets another team, and it is a shame for the fans of Lowell and Trenton that they now no longer have a team to root for.  With the Albany Devils last in the AHL standings and attendance column last season could this be another doomed Devils project?  We'll find out, but unfortunately the well has been poisoned by the Devils twice already.   

This offseason seems to have a lot of twists and turns, even moreso than normal.  There is turmoil in the Central Hockey League. There are rumors of new Federal League teams popping up in unlikely places.  Sadly though it has been confirmed that one of my favorite teams is officially done.  The Lewsiton MAINEiacs of the QMJHL have been acquired by the league and have been dissolved.  Just like that there are no more MAINEiacs and the Q has gone back to an all Canadian league.  I am glad I got the chance to take in a couple of games at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee and experience the magic that was MAINEiacs hockey.  The MAINEiacs had one of the most unique experiences in all of hockey for the fans, and here is why I will miss them:  They were able to bring the experience of attending hockey in Quebec to the states.  From the arena being named the Colisee, to the PA announcer's perfect pronunciation of the French players' names, to the techno music played in warmups, attending a game in Lewiston could easily be mistaken for attending a game in Shawinigan, except you could buy a $3 soda and be given paper money back instead of a $2 coin.  The team also had possibly the coolest theme and logo in all of hockey, incorporating the "L" of Lewiston and the "M" of MAINEiacs into a bad ass looking logo.   The Colisee also had it charm, although it had very few creature comforts, no luxury suites, and a small capacity.  It is closer to an arena out of the moive Slapshot than a modern cookie-cutter arena.  The fans in Lewiston were loud and passionate, and were rewarded with a QMJHL Championship in 2007.

I took the above photo after the MAINEiacs got swept out of the playoffs in the first round by Drummondville in 2009, only a couple days after it was announced that they would stay in Lewiston despite rumors of a move the suburban Montreal.  The players saluted their fans at center ice, and everyone stuck around to show their appreciation for the team despite getting blown out.   It appears that the attendance never recovered after that as moves to St John's, Summerside PEI and others were constant and made the fans of Lewiston feel they were on borrowed time.  Still a MAINEiacs game would be a fun place to go and watch amazing talent skate with passion.  Oddly the franchise was moved to Lewiston in 2003 from Sherbrooke, and per the Q website a new team will be awarded in Sherbrooke in 2012.  So although the team has officially been dissolved and records of the franchise will stop the team is essentially going full circle and ending up back in Sherbrooke.  Either way U.S. and New England fans are missing out by no longer having a QMJHL team stateside.  Thankfully I captured a piece of the MAINEiacs experience on Roaming the Rinks http://www.roamingtherinks.com/androscogginbankcolise.htm  and I will gladly sport my MAINEiacs jersey for years to come.  So this time I salute the MAINEiacs and their fans.