AHL Teams to Play in NHL Rinks Again in 2009-10
Hamilton Bulldogs, Binghamton Senators Meet in Montreal and Ottawa
Jul 27, 2009
The call-up to the NHL is one prospects hope for every day. In what is now a regular tradition, at least two teams will get that chance during the 2009-10 season.
For a second consecutive year, the American Hockey League’s Hamilton Bulldogs and Binghamton Senators will square off in a regular season matchup on an NHL ice surface. On Friday, November 6, 2009, Montreal and Ottawa’s minor league affiliates will skate for two points at the Bell Centre in the opener of a home-and-home set.
Last season’s tilt was the back-end of consecutive games between the two clubs. This season, though, Binghamton’s home game will also be held on NHL ice; Scotiabank Place in Ottawa will serve as the backdrop for the second game, to be held on Sunday, November 8, 2009.
This year’s matchup marks the third time the Habs’ AHL club will play in Montreal, and it has proven to be a successful event. More than 8,000 fans showed up for their 2007 debut while last year a remarkable crowd of 14,446 was on hand for to watch Max Pacioretty and Yannick Weber, among others, shine.
Beginning of AHL Teams Playing in an NHL Arena
AHL games in NHL rinks are a tradition that began back during the 2004 lockout. That year, the Milwaukee Admirals – the Predators’ affiliate – hosted the Rochester Americans at the then-Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville. While it was the only time the Admirals would participate in such an event, that contest was the first of 24 that would take place at a National Hockey League arena throughout the season.
In 2004, the Philadelphia (now Adirondack) Phantoms hosted six games in their parent club’s home, the Wachovia Center, the most of any team. The Flyers’ barn was located in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex along with the Phantoms’ rink, the Spectrum. Over the years, the convenience of the location would result in a total of 19 AHL games taking place at the Wachovia Center.
The Toronto Marlies have yet to come close to reaching the volume of the Phantoms, however the team has similarly benefitted from calling the same city as its NHL affiliate home. Ever since the Maple Leafs’ prospects arrived from St. John’s, Newfoundland to the Ontario capital in 2005, it has made five appearances at the Air Canada Centre. As well, the club also visited Toronto when it was still based in Eastern Canada.
Other NHL Cities That Have Hosted AHL Games
Overall, the American Hockey League has taken its product to a National Hockey League arena 45 times since the initiative began. Most of the NHL teams have been in the Eastern Conference, though there have been a few exceptions.
When Anaheim’s prospects called Cincinnati home, the franchise visited the West Coast on back-to-back nights back in December 2004, facing the now-defunct Edmonton Roadrunners. The San Jose Sharks (formerly Cleveland Barons), Minnesota Wild (Houston Aeros) and Columbus Blue Jackets (Syracuse Crunch) also have all seen their AHL clubs skate on their ice.
Over in the East, in addition to the aforementioned teams, HSBC Arena in Buffalo has been a popular venue as a four-time host. Other teams that have (or will) welcomed their minor league teams at least twice include the New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators.
Tickets for AHL Games in NHL Cities
Tickets for the Bulldogs-Senators tilt in Montreal are on sale now; the re-match in Ottawa will be on sale as of August 7.
Whether it’s those contests or another in a different city, it’s a perfect outing for any hockey fan, who won’t need to break the bank to be able to attend.
Other articles of interest:
Hershey Bears Enjoy the Taste of AHL Success
Mike Keane's Professional Hockey Career
 |
 |
