Roaming The Rinks

No, I don't really care who owns the Chiefs, but I wanted to get in a Slap Shot reference.  What I do want to comment on is the Cambria County War Memorial, home of the Chiefs.  The Johnstown Chiefs that is.  I made a return visit to this hockey shrine, which was also the main filming location for Slap Shot's Charlestown Chiefs, for a New Years Eve matchup between the Chiefs and my Elmira Jackals.  The last game I attended here was on Super Bowl Sunday 2 years ago and a review can be found elsewhere on this site.  Then the place was half empty but still a better place to experience hockey than 80% of the hockey barns I go to.

What made my most recent visit an absolute blast was the fact that there was a sellout crowd of some of the best fans in the minors, and the fact that the Slap Shot Lounge is now open.  No it is not a bar, but rather a place for hockey fans to reminisce about the way minor league hockey used to be.

What they have done in Johnstown is create a small museum off the concourse of the arena to commemorate the 1977 cinema classic.  Fans can check out the photos of the Chiefs on the wall, including the Hanson brothers.  There is autographed memoribilia, and even a Doctor Hook McCracken Syracuse Bulldogs jersey.  The room is done in a taseful laid back style, and I am glad who ever decided to add this to the arena made such decision.   What's the best part about the museum?  The fact that you can step back out onto the concourse and into the small seating bowl of a living tribute to old time hockey- the War Memorial Arena itself.  Sure the arena has been updated a little since the movie, but you get that classic feel that only this place can give.  Get there if you can.