PromoTheRobot Posted June 13, 2015 Report Posted June 13, 2015 (edited) The Manchester Monarchs mopped the Utica Auditorium ice with the Comets 6-2 last night to take a 3-1 series lead in the AHL finals. This is the last AHL season in NH for the Kings farm team so this is a nice going away gift for the fans, considering this team made it past the first round only once in 14 prior seasons. LA swaps their ECHL team to Manchester next season. Sadly the AHL insists on the 2-3-2 playoff format even though the two cities are just a 5 hour bus ride apart. So if Manchester wins tonight Monarchs fans won't get to see it on home ice. If it does work out that way at least I can say I was at the first Monarchs game and the last. Edited June 13, 2015 by Promonov Robotnik Quote
pastajoe Posted June 13, 2015 Report Posted June 13, 2015 Will you support the ECHL team next season? Quote
PromoTheRobot Posted June 13, 2015 Author Report Posted June 13, 2015 Will you support the ECHL team next season? Yes. In the end, I'm just there for the beer and the yelling. I like hockey and I can watch ECHL just fine. In fact I look forward to seeing the Elmira Jackals. The Rochester Americans almost never played Manchester the last 14 years. This way I get to see some Sabres prospects. Quote
PromoTheRobot Posted June 14, 2015 Author Report Posted June 14, 2015 Comets scored with 14 seconds to go but it was too little, too late. Monarchs win 2-1 and Manchester hoists the cup in Utica. Quote
Taro T Posted June 14, 2015 Report Posted June 14, 2015 Comets scored with 14 seconds to go but it was too little, too late. Monarchs win 2-1 and Manchester hoists the cup in Utica. Let's hope they remember to wash their hands. Never know what they'll catch hoisting cups in Utica. Quote
darksabre Posted June 14, 2015 Report Posted June 14, 2015 Poor Utica. It's been good to see them gain traction in that town. They're going to be a great rival for Rochester going forward. The battle of the beers. Quote
PromoTheRobot Posted June 14, 2015 Author Report Posted June 14, 2015 Poor Utica. It's been good to see them gain traction in that town. They're going to be a great rival for Rochester going forward. The battle of the beers. True, but how long before the Canucks move that franchise west? The only reason they are even in Utica is the NHL c#ckblocked them from Seattle. Quote
pastajoe Posted June 14, 2015 Report Posted June 14, 2015 Too bad Monarch fans will have to raise the banner at an ECHL game. It will be nice having all the NYS teams in the same division next year. Quote
bunomatic Posted June 14, 2015 Report Posted June 14, 2015 True, but how long before the Canucks move that franchise west? The only reason they are even in Utica is the NHL c#ckblocked them from Seattle. Word is the Canucks would love to move Utica to Abbotsford which is about an hours drive from Van. Calgary currently has their farm there. Not sure how that could be worked out. Quote
PromoTheRobot Posted June 14, 2015 Author Report Posted June 14, 2015 (edited) Word is the Canucks would love to move Utica to Abbotsford which is about an hours drive from Van. Calgary currently has their farm there. Not sure how that could be worked out. Portland would be nice, although if Seattle winds up with an NHL team, Portland is the natural landing spot for their AHL affiliate. How about a Flames affiliate in Saskatoon or Regina? The truth is any AHL city that's more than a few hours by car from their parent team has a target on it. Edited June 14, 2015 by Promonov Robotnik Quote
ubkev Posted June 14, 2015 Report Posted June 14, 2015 Poor Utica. It's been good to see them gain traction in that town. They're going to be a great rival for Rochester going forward. The battle of the beers. I know the Amerks are our farm team and all but as far as beers go, it's UC for me! Quote
pastajoe Posted June 14, 2015 Report Posted June 14, 2015 Word is the Canucks would love to move Utica to Abbotsford which is about an hours drive from Van. Calgary currently has their farm there. Not sure how that could be worked out. Abbotsford moved to Adirondack last year, so there is no team there. And next year Calgary's farm team will again be in a new city; Stockton, California. Quote
bunomatic Posted June 14, 2015 Report Posted June 14, 2015 Abbotsford moved to Adirondack last year, so there is no team there. And next year Calgary's farm team will again be in a new city; Stockton, California. Thanks. I wonder if the Nucks are working on that. It would be a perfect fit for them. Quote
PromoTheRobot Posted June 15, 2015 Author Report Posted June 15, 2015 Thanks. I wonder if the Nucks are working on that. It would be a perfect fit for them.I think Utica is a tremendous minor hockey market and I wonder if the Comets go west if the ECHL could be in their future? The E needs more Northeastern teams to ease travel costs for their recent AHL converts. Quote
LabattBlue Posted June 15, 2015 Report Posted June 15, 2015 Yes. In the end, I'm just there for the beer and the yelling. I like hockey and I can watch ECHL just fine. In fact I look forward to seeing the Elmira Jackals. The Rochester Americans almost never played Manchester the last 14 years. This way I get to see some Sabres prospects. I feel bad that your town is losing their AHL franchise especially coming off a championship season. As far as seeing Sabres prospects come to town next year and beyond at the ECHL level, the problem is that most will likely never going to succeed at the AHL level let alone the NHL level. i.e. Jacobs, Sundher, etc... I don't think more than a few of them were even signed to Sabres two-way contracts. Quote
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