That was a long game.
As some of my long-time readers know, I have season tickets to the Trenton Devils – the ECHL (2 levels down from NHL) affiliate of the NJ Devils.
This year the Trenton Devils started off badly (with a record of something like 3-11) but then had a stellar 2nd half and have made the playoffs. They are 2nd seed in the North Division.
Last night was the first playoff game against the Elmira Jackals. This should be an interesting 7-game matchup – the record against each other in the regular season was 6-6-1. Last night’s game was about what was expected, with neither team having more than a 2 goal lead. Regulation ended with the score tied 4-4.
In the ECHL during the regular season games that are tied after regulation go to a 4-on-4 5-minute overtime period, followed by a shootout. For the playoffs, they use full 20:00 sudden death overtime periods with a 15:00 break between each overtime for zamboni work.
At the end of the 1st overtime, the score was still tied.
At the end of the 2nd overtime, the score was still tied. We went home, but I listened on the web after that.
At the end of the 3rd overtime, the score was still tied.
At 6:10 into the 4th overtime, Elmira scored to win. That made the game 126:10 playing minutes long and 4:55 duration time, the longest in ECHL history. Both goalies finished the marathon, and Elmira goalie Michael Teslak now holds the ECHL record for saves in a game with 71.
Both teams have to play again 19 hours after the game ended tonight at 7pm. I’m seriously considering bringing my blankie and teddy bear to the game.
That was a long one.
Hello, Trenton Devils
The New Jersey Devils announced today that they are changing the name of the Trenton Titans to the Trenton Devils.
Trenton, NJ (May, 18, 2007)
– The National Hockey League’s New Jersey Devils today re-branded its ECHL affiliate from the “Trenton Titans” to the “Trenton Devils.” The team’s new home and road jerseys will feature “TRENTON” in red across the chest, with a stylized horn in the “T” and “N,” along with the familiar New Jersey Devils logo. The announcement was made by Devils’ CEO/President/General Manager Lou Lamoriello.“The Devils’ organization prides itself on two things: consistency and excellence. Our goal is to have all of our players at every level play for the same name and logo,“ said Lamoriello. “We want our players to
feel a sense of pride every time they put on their respective Devils’ sweaters.”The Devils will become the only hockey franchise with the same nickname at the NHL (New Jersey), AHL (Lowell), and ECHL (Trenton) levels. Five other NHL teams – Boston, Dallas, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, and San Jose – currently share a nickname with their AHL affiliate.
In 2007-08, the ECHL’s Trenton franchise, 2004-05 Kelly Cup Champions, will enter its ninth season of
operation. The team will continue to play its home games at the 7,605-seat Sovereign Bank Arena.Full and partial season-ticket plans for the 2007-08 season are available by calling a Trenton Devils ticket representative at (609) 599-9500. For further information, visit www.trentondevils.com.
The Trenton Devils are a member of the ECHL, North America’s Premier “AA” Hockey League. They are owned and operated by the National Hockey League’s New Jersey Devils.
I am heartened to see that the owners are recognizing this fall as the 9th year of the team, rather than the 1st year of the new image.
Ticket prices (according to the Trenton website) for season tickets are up about 10% over the earliest discount price from last year. This is fair, given that they haven’t increased for several years. The single-game tickets appear to be up 3-8% depending on location. At the season ticket rate, I’ll probably renew.
Goodbye, Trenton Titans
The Trenton Times is reporting that on Friday, May 18 the NJ Devils will be holding a press conference in Trenton to announce that the Trenton Titans hockey team (ECHL) is being renamed to the Trenton Devils. A new logo will be shown as well.
There is still some question about the league that this team will end up in. The AHL Lowell Devils have one year remaining on their lease in Lowell, MA. The Lowell city council is getting ready to take steps that implement a loophole in the contract that allows them to kick the Devils out now. That would leave the AHL Devils with no home. There has been rampant speculation in Trenton ever since the Titans were bought by the NJ Devils that the AHL team would be relocated to Trenton, possibly for this fall. Other options for the AHL team include sharing the new Prudential Center in Newark, NJ or possibly going to Hartford, CT.
So we may have the ECHL Trenton Devils or the AHL Trenton Devils tomorrow.
We know that it won’t be the Titans. The Titans played for 8 years and only failed to make the playoffs once in that time. They contended for the Kelly Cup twice, winning it once. I hope (probably in vain) that the NJ Devils will retain that history and keep the Titans banners hanging in Trenton.
The Lowell Devils are wholly owned by the NJ Devils. The Trenton Titans are 80% owned by the NJ Devils, with the remaining 20% currently held by the founding Berman family.
RIP, NHL 2004-2005 Season
Today, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced that the entire 2004-2005 season has been cancelled. This the first time since the league was established that the championship was cancelled with the exception of 1919 (when an influenza epidemic ended the season).
The NHL locked out the players after the players announced a strike against the league before the season started in September. The league has pushed for a salary cap from the beginning – the players have resisted any salary cap.
I put the entire blame on the players. There is no reason for someone who plays hockey to make multi-millions per year to play what is at best the lowest rung major league sport in North America. The inflated salaries have priced the game out of the reach of most fans. The owners have to raise ticket prices in order to cover these exorbitant salaries.
In Philadelphia, the most expensive seats cost $85 each! The LEAST expensive cost $23 each! Contrast that with the NY Yankees, who only charge $12 per tickets for the cheapest seats.
While I’ll miss the season (and I already have missed it from October until now), it’ll only affect my TV viewing as I really can’t afford to go to many NHL games. I’ll be watching my ECHL Trenton Titans where the entire 36-game season costs no more than $27 per game (including parking), and the cheapest seats are $10.50 for adults and $8.50 for children (who are $8.50 for all seats but the two rows next to the glass). The caliber of ECHL play has been above par this year, as the lack of injury callups has kept the AHL and ECHL rosters full of high quality players (who would normally move up due to NHL injuries). In fact, I’ll be at tonight’s game in Trenton!
A quick life update
I haven’t blogged for a while, so here’s a quick life update.
Flying – I am still at it. I am probably within a month of getting my pilot license – maybe less if the weather cooperates. I have to do another lesson or two to prepare for the test. After that I have to take a “mock” checkride with another instructor from the club. After that – the big day. I already know who the examiner will be – he’s a pilot for Continental so I’ll probably need to take a vacation day for that as his schedule can be wacky.
Solar Panels – still cooking. With the cooler temparatures and sunny days this week, we are pumping (selling) lots of power back into the grid. Be sure to go to Smith Electric Company for pictures and stories of the installation. I’ll update that blog as soon as I have news.
Hockey – Hockey is almost here again. The NHL is on strike, but my Trenton Titans (ECHL) are still playing. I’ll be attending a game on October 11 between the Titans and their AHL affiliates the Philadelphia Phantoms. Since I’m such a good husband, I give my wife an opera or two every year to offset the 30 or so hockey games that she goes to. Unfortunately for me, the local company is performing their fall presentation on October 22, the same night as the Titans’ opening game. I’ll have another two weeks to wait for the next home game!
My Wife’s Job – She’s settling in. She still has to finish out her old Black Belt work, and she has one new person frustrating her on two projects. However, she’s coming home a little less frazzled every day. I think that’s a good sign. She’s been on vacation without me all week – tomorrow I’ll be home too.
Cats – they’re fine. They’ve enjoyed having my wife home all day this week. They are starting to get snuggly again now that the temparatures are beginning to drop. Still shedding a lot, though.
That’s the roundup!
Bachelor for a Few Days
My wife is off to a company training class in Orlando, FL. She flies out today, and back on Saturday.
That makes me a bachelor for a few days. But will I be doing anything exciting?
Nah. I’ll be staying home tonight and tomorrow, and going to see the Trenton Titans with my sister on Friday night.
I’m so boring.
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