In Lou We Trust was there as well and posted a Devil-centric wrap. So here are some of my observations; sorry no photos as I have a contentious relationship with my camera at the moment:
*Minor league hockey is really fan friendly - it is cheap entertainment that is great for families. It is a shame that this game wasn't promoted more as it surely could have gotten more people. As is, there were a decent number of fans - probably a few thousand. The entire upper bowl of the Rock was cordoned off and most was blocked by black curtains but the lower bowl's luxury seats (between the bluelines) were all full - something that never happens during Devil games. It was general admission for $15 a ticket ($10 for kids) so everyone got to enjoy the high life for a bit. And perhaps the best thing is that the youngsters got to sit by the glass to see the speed and everything up close, which is only good for the future of the sport.
*Even with the game not getting much advance talk on the blogs or the papers, there was still a good showing of Ranger/Hartford fans. At one point I sat a few rows behind a guy wearing what looked like a game-worn Wolf Pack Blair Betts sweater. That's awesome.
*It was very quiet, which was creepy. When the Hartford power play did it's best impression of the Blueshirts special team, I pointed out that they indeed had the man advantage and it reverberated around the arena. Very strange, but funny. I had a bunch of high school kids chanting "sit down, shut up" clap-clap-clapclapclap which was utterly hilarious and something I plan on stealing for use in the Garden. Of course, these same high schoolers were unattended by parents and used vicious blue language that should have gotten them ejected as there were so many little kids around.
*As I mentioned, the Wolf Pack power play was pretty damn bad. They ended up going 1-7 with the lone tally coming from Brodie Dupont working the slot.
*Dupont was the best Hartford player on the ice. He went to the net, he carried the puck, he backchecked, killed penalties ... he was all over the place and his effort was exceptional.
*Evgeni Grachev? Notsomuch. If this kid is the future of the franchise, then our franchise is f-ed. Grachev was abysmal and was kept off the ice in the overtime. He definitely has size, he definitely has hands but he just couldn't get his act together out there. I saw him cough up the puck several times in the first period and then didn't notice him at all.
*The game went to overtime because Hartford clung to their 2-1 lead late in the game and collapsed into their own zone. Lowell was able to move the puck around to get the equalizer in the last minute and had what would have been the game-winner go over the goal line inside the far post past the sprawled Matt Zaba just a second after the final buzzer. Talk about saved by the bell...
*Zaba plays an entirely different game from Chad Johnson. Where DosNueve is economical with his movements, Zaba is outright twitchy. Still, he made several big saves and couldn't be faulted for at least one, if not both of the goals against.
*His counterpart, Mike McKenna, is a long goaltender like Valley who uses his pads well. McKenna had a clear view of Dupont's overtime game-winner (with 20 seconds left in the extra frame) and it just eluded his glove. He got a taste of the NHL last season but will need to do better than he did on this night if he is to get back to the show.
*Jordan Owens, who fed Dupont for the game-winner, kept himself involved all game. I would like to think he will get a shot at the show as a Higgens/Sjostrom-esque grit and goals guy but I didn't see enough of his offense to make a fair judgement.
*Earlier in the season I asked why Corey Locke wasn't given a shot when the Rangers suffered through so many scoring woes but now I see why. The diminutive center is easily shut down by tight checking.
*I would like to say good things about Ilkka Heikkinen but I didn't really see him doing too much. Still, he has to be an upgrade from Rozy and should be more comfortable in a Blueshirt with fellow Finn Jokinen around so let's give him a shot...
*The Devils' Louis Robitaille is an obnoxious thug. He is just the kind of player you love to hate and I definitely hate him. The guy cheap shots, takes big liberties with his hits and tries to start fights from behind the officials. Basically he is Cam Janssen with less courage (if that's possible). It was great seeing Devin DiDiomete land a few punches despite being hugged to death when the two tussled in the first period.
*Few Devils stood out other than that clown. Tim Sestito scored on a sweet shot over Zaba and was a major part of the Lowell offense but even then, that isn't saying too much as they play typical Devil hockey.
And even with the Devils being tight and boring for much of the penalty-filled affair, it was still a enjoyable experience and one that will hopefully happen again. Perhaps the next time they will advertise it better so more people can get in on the inexpensive fun.
Hartford 3, Lowell 2: A Thrilling AHL Showdown
The American Hockey League (AHL) is where future NHL stars sharpen their skills and aspiring coaches learn the ropes of the game. On any given night, AHL arenas are filled with die-hard fans and young talent eager to make their mark on the sport. In this article, we delve into a thrilling AHL matchup between the Hartford Wolf Pack and the Lowell Devils, a game that showcased the passion and potential of minor league hockey.
Setting the Stage
The stage was the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut, a venue that has seen its fair share of hockey history. On one end, you had the Hartford Wolf Pack, the AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers. On the other, the Lowell Devils, affiliated with the New Jersey Devils. While AHL games may not draw the same crowds as NHL contests, the intensity and desire to win are just as palpable.
The Tale of the Tape
Both teams came into the matchup with something to prove. The Wolf Pack were looking to climb the standings and secure a playoff spot, while the Devils aimed to play spoiler and gain momentum for the next season. AHL rosters are ever-changing due to call-ups and assignments, but on this night, the focus was on the players on the ice.
The Action Unfolds
The first period saw both teams feeling each other out, with neither able to capitalize on their scoring chances. Goaltenders at the AHL level often have NHL aspirations, and they showcased their skills with acrobatic saves and quick reactions. As the period ended, it was clear that this game would be a hard-fought battle.
The second period brought the action fans had been waiting for. Just minutes in, the Wolf Pack struck first with a power-play goal. The XL Center erupted in cheers as the home team took the lead. However, the Devils responded with a goal of their own, sending a message that they wouldn't go down without a fight. The physicality of AHL hockey was on full display, with bone-jarring hits and scrums after the whistle.
As the game entered the third period, the tension in the arena was palpable. Every shot, every save, and every rush up the ice felt like it could be the difference-maker. The Wolf Pack regained the lead with another power-play goal, and the crowd roared with excitement. But the Devils were relentless, tying the game once again, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.
The Hero Emerges
In the dying minutes of the third period, with overtime looming, a young forward for the Wolf Pack seized the moment. He carried the puck into the offensive zone with speed and determination, deked past a defenseman, and unleashed a wrist shot that found the back of the net. The XL Center erupted as the home team took a late lead.
The final minutes felt like an eternity, with the Devils pressing for the tying goal. But the Wolf Pack held on, securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory. The crowd showered the players with applause and appreciation as they saluted the fans.
The Aftermath
In the AHL, wins and losses are important, but player development is paramount. Many of the young talents who graced the ice that night would go on to have successful NHL careers, fulfilling their dreams of playing in the world's premier hockey league. Coaches and staff on both sides played a crucial role in nurturing this talent.
As for the fans, they left the XL Center with memories to cherish. AHL games offer an up-close and personal experience that is hard to replicate in the NHL's larger arenas. From the thunderous checks along the boards to the game-winning goals, AHL hockey is a testament to the sport's enduring appeal at all levels.
So, the next time you're flipping through the channels and come across an AHL game, consider giving it a watch. You might just witness the birth of the NHL's next superstar or a thrilling showdown like the one between the Hartford Wolf Pack and the Lowell Devils, where the passion for hockey burns just as brightly as it does in the big leagues.
