RowdyFan42 Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 The American Hockey League released its schedule yesterday, and for the first time ever the Albany River Rats will play a regular season home game away from the Pepsi Arena. The Rats will take on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Continental Airlines Arena on Thursday, January 22, 2004 at 7:00 PM. The Sound Tigers are the top minor-league affiliate of the New York Islanders. Ticket info for this game is not known at this time. Also, the AHL will follow the NHL's lead this season by having home teams wear their dark uniforms while road teams don their light jerseys. You can download the 2003-2004 AHL schedule here: Composite / Team-By-Team (How'd you like that? I did it all press release-y and everything! ) I know you guys probably like this, but it doesn't seem to be going over well up here. I know I'm a little ticked myself, but I guess it'll be good exposure for the team. Just do us a favor and pack the joint, mmkay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepperkorn Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 That is GREAT i think! -- but what ISN'T is that the Devils aren't playing up there this year not like I made it up to Albany for the game last year but still.. Thanks Rowdy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zamode Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 Sounds good as I have never seen a Rats' game--would be a good chance to see the farm reserves in action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frac Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 Wouldn't you be a little upset if you were a season ticket holder and payed for 40 games, yet only received 39. The main selling point for season tickets is the same seat for every game. They are probably going to only offer a ticket voucher for a seat. How do you think the corperations who own the prime seats would feel if the Devils played a regular season game in Albany and they were not guarenteed the prime seats and had to take seats in the upper level? Besides even if I was able to have the same seats at the CAA as I do at the Pepsi. I would probably not be able to go anyway. Who can drive down there on a week night and make it to work the next day. Very poor planing by management. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepperkorn Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 yes frac, I'd say this has all the making of a failed PR experiment. It is nonetheless cool for us NJ fans to get to see a Rats game here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammyk Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 You should ask how the Sabres STHs feel about having one game in Rochester. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepperkorn Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 Also, the AHL will follow the NHL's lead this season by having home teams wear their dark uniforms while road teams don their light jerseys. Hey and that mean I now have a Rats HOME sweater! Yippee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRASHER Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 Now it will be funn y to try to see them pawn this game off at NHL Prices too.. let's see them try THAT hmmm ??? Have they announced ticket prices ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LetsGoDevils Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 Personally, I'd like to see the Rats play in Jersey all the time. Philly has the Flyers and the Phantoms in Philadelphia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammyk Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 Personally, I'd like to see the Rats play in Jersey all the time. Philly has the Flyers and the Phantoms in Philadelphia. Aren't they the only team with that setup though? What other team has their farm team in the same city? None I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LetsGoDevils Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 I think Philly is the only team set up like that. I was just thinking that "if" a new arena is built, the CAA could become the home of the Rats. That would be another boost for the CAA to draw revenue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammyk Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 If they did that, I'd probably wind up going to more Rats games than Devils! (Assuming it's cheaper) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepperkorn Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 What fresh hell is this? Rats stay in Albany! end of story! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyFan42 Posted August 1, 2003 Author Share Posted August 1, 2003 Nah, this hell's pretty stale. I believe NewarkDevil5's been proposing the Rats move to the CAA for quite some time now, and a couple others here and there seem to like the idea. Besides, PK, as you well know, Albany is a graveyard for minor pro sports teams. It's only a matter of time before they leave. (Sorry to be so depressing, BTW...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepperkorn Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 but...but...well..to quote my cousin: I don't wanna hear that! I don't wanna hear that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frac Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 Actually, at this time the only thing that the Devils could do is not renew there working agreement with the Rats after the 03-04 season. I've heard that the management/ownership of the Rats has been looking to build it's own 4 to 5 thousand seat venue in the Albany area as I believe the lease with county for the Pepsi arena ends in 03-04 as well. If the affiliation is not renewed there would be 4 possible options for the Riverrats: 1) Operate as an independent team in the AHL. 2) Sign a new agreement with a different NHL team. 3) Move down to the UHL or ECHL 4) Fold As stated above with the rumors of them trying to build a smaller venue options 2 and 3 seem the most logical. However, there could be a good chance at renewel of the working agreement with the Devils. Location and less pressure being in a smaller town could help the prospects, adjust to pro hockey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepperkorn Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 PK SIDEBAR: Pepsi arena -- dont' you just cringe It's the KNICK doggoneit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frac Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 The Pepsi Arena does sound bad. More people then not still refer to it as the Knickerbocker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepperkorn Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 but any frac, HERE in my opinion anyhow you've hit the nail on the head as to why they should stay put: However, there could be a good chance at renewel of the working agreement with the Devils. Location and less pressure being in a smaller town could help the prospects, adjust to pro hockey. And upstate is sort of burghy like most of these guys' home towns! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Puddy Posted August 1, 2003 Share Posted August 1, 2003 I still refer to the CAA as the Byrne (haha, Byrne... burn... get it?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriesenKris Posted August 2, 2003 Share Posted August 2, 2003 Personally, I'd like to see the Rats play in Jersey all the time. Philly has the Flyers and the Phantoms in Philadelphia. Yes, but don't they practice & hold their press conferences in NJ at the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees? It's not like all of their business is in Philly. In this case, I wish it did. It makes me to think that JR lives in NJ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fidgetess Posted August 2, 2003 Share Posted August 2, 2003 I was LIVID when I heard this, being a season ticket holder to the Rats! Frac was right, we payed for 40 games but are only going to get 39 in Albany. Also, prices for the tix went up about $50! Instead of paying $9/game for 40 games, we're paying $10 for 39! Trust me, the angry letter to the Rats is going out on Monday! The way they're going to squirm their way out of this one is saying that a ticket to the CAA game will be included with the rest, so we did actually pay for 40 games, and we are getting tickets to 40 games. They'll probably suggest that we still can exchange the tickets for tickets to another game, but that's not the point! As for the Rats staying in Albany, it's just not the best financial situation. They have to be losing a lot of money every year (when you rent out a 14,000 seat arena and only have 3,000 show up, it's got to cost money). I've always believed that the Rats have to fire every single person in the front office and hire people who actually know how to promote a hockey team. Last year, I saw a commercial for the Rats (which in itself shocked me to no end) for a game that had taken place the previous weekend! Sorry for the long post. When I get mad, I get wordy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek21 Posted August 2, 2003 Share Posted August 2, 2003 Fidgetess: "Last year, I saw a commercial for the Rats (which in itself shocked me to no end) for a game that had taken place the previous weekend!" I guess Jon Scherzer isn't doing a good job . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StarDew Posted August 2, 2003 Share Posted August 2, 2003 10 clams vs 9 clams???? Us Devil fans should be so blessed...try Devils tix...starting at 20 clams for nosebleed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fidgetess Posted August 3, 2003 Share Posted August 3, 2003 This was a TV commercial, which he has nothing to do with (Rats games aren't televised). Scherzer is doing an ok job. John Hennessey he is not though! Ah, but Dew, you're also seeing some of the best players in the world! Surely that makes up for that extra 10 clams! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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