The AHL

[MDE3 0]

I just watched my second live AHL game this year..W-B vs Binghampton..very interesting...apparently the refs may have been calling the obstruction hooking and interference from the beginning of the season, as there was almost none in this game..only one fight ...Shots on goal during the even strength portion of the game did not seem to increase, in fact they were quite low except on some power plays where shots happened in bunches.

The forechecking was much more ferocious, and the (legal) coverage much tighter than I remember..the game was not terribly physical either, and the line changes were very short...maybe everyone is skating harder, and hitting less to save energy?

Anyone else noting similar style of play in the AHL..was it just this one game, or is this a trend? (W-B 2-0 over Binghampton..Fleury was excellent)

[Jim Bob 0]

The game I went to (Rochester vs Syracuse) had a ton of obstruction calls that went uncalled. But maybe I noticed it more because I've been watching plenty of college hockey where they are serious about cracking down on hooking and holding and the like.

A couple things I've noticed:

1) I love the tag up offsides rule. I never understood why they got rid of it because all it does is kill the forecheck and make teams trap more. The Amerks seem to be forechecking a lot more because they can dump, clear, and get back in on the forecheck.

2) I like the no touch icing rule. It limits the amount of dead time when one d-man floats back to get the puck and it eliminates the injury factor.

3) I like the wider lines. It gives the players a little extra space to stay onsides for various plays and I think it has helped a bit.

4) I like the nets being moved back. The tighter space makes plays coming from behind the net happen quicker.

5) The goalie playing the puck area can stay or go to me.

[Chadd 916]

I've seen two game, both Hershey - Norfolk, and I didn't see any changes from last year, other than the physical changes to the rink. The game last night may have been one of the worst games I've ever seen. Hopefully the fact it was the third game in three days is the reason for that.

[tokes 0]

I like the fact that good seats are 30 bucks, instead of 90 for an NHL game.

[Eman24dx 0]

The Amerks are playing in Buffalo Friday and I wonder if the changes to the lines will be made at the arena. Were playing the Ducks farm team. Its just gona be nice to watch hockey again.

[Irbe1 0]

I have season tickets for the Roadrunners. It is definately good hockey, just a little sloppy.

One question, what are those two red lines behind the net for? I still have not figured that out.

[MDE3 0]

The AHl is testing a "limited handling zone" for the goalies....for I believe the first 10 games of the season...During this period the goalie is only allowed to play the puck within the lines that extend beside and behind the net.

[Irbe1 0]

Thats what I thought, but I've seen Deslauriers and Moss handle it outside of those lines..

[MDE3 0]

Maybe they are "free game" outside those lines, or perhaps the test period has not yet begun.

[Chadd 916]

They can play it before it crosses the goal line as well. The box is only for pucks that have crossed the goal line. The intent was to prevent goalies from going into the corner and playing the puck while players were not permitted to hit them.

[Chadd 916]

Ok, I got free tix so I went again tonight and I'm glad I did. P-Bruins are pretty good and Bergeron is a stud. The kid can flat out play at both ends of the ice.

[third man in 0]

I went to the Phantoms/Bears game the other night at the Spectrum. Pretty decent game, I was just glad to be watching hockey again. Pitkanen was the best player on the ice even though one of the Bears D-Men lined up for a nice, hard hip-check along the boards. It's no NHL, but at $8 a ticket (for students), I can see myself going to more games.

[Hockeyman9621 0]

I'm going to a Hamilton game sometime soon, Corey Locke is tearing it up over here.

[Eman24dx 0]

Went to the Amerks/Cincy Ducks game the other night, pretty good hockey. I just wanted to see Vanik play and he was amazing. 2 goals and 1 of them on a sizk 1 on 1 move. Watch out for this kid.