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August 7, 2008
"I don't go around with the local crowd"*
Howard Saffan had some pretty blunt comments that'll go into the story, and it's clear that this isn't about the couple of hundred fans who are there every single night; it's about the 8,000 who aren't. It's about money. Cut out two Wednesday home games, get free travel -- not a bad deal for them. (Saffan said season-ticketholders would get either a credit for those two games, or an Islanders ticket. You can probably debate that deal.)
So there are two November games in the Maritimes, and there are only six Wednesday-night dates in Bridgeport. (Plus two Tuesdays against Norfolk.)
And then they come back from Canada and go to Texas.
But it's not like they're packing all the travel into November, just the big ones. They'd never gone Philly-to-Albany before last January; they'll do it twice this year. I always have to look for hotel stays, and there are a ton, especially early: those Philly-Albany runs, that Portland-to-Worcester in October. Jan. 21-26 may be just one long road trip, Albany to Portland to Portland to the All-Star Game. On the other hand, the season ends without much travel, except for the weekend that the NCAA Regionals are here.
But right before that...
There's a lot of things Bridgeport doesn't want to repeat from 2006-07. One of them is "February." Remember that month? How they scrapped their way back into the race, took over fourth place... then got absolutely zonked by that eight-games-in-10-days stretch, finishing with four losses in a row, left chasing Albany again?
This one is worse. Feb. 6-March 3, they play 17 games in 26 days. That includes an 8-in-10, Feb. 13-22, which is then followed two days later by a 4-in-5. That one began with a northeast tour, Worcester-Portland-Providence; this one begins with a trip to Norfolk.
So which will have the bigger effect, the home finish or the February march? The home-friendly schedule will help. But if there's nobody left to play those games after the February war of attrition...
...well, then there may not be any April travel.
(No one else plays only four games in April, BTW. And that final Sunday, April 12, is Easter, which is why there are only three games. And I just noticed that the NHL and AHL seasons are back to ending at the same time. Question for tomorrow, I guess.)
Other bits of interest: 12 three-in-threes, one more than last year (but two fewer than 2006-07). The 1 p.m. Sunday start returns in January, for three games anyway. And Fridays are 7 p.m. starts, as Saffan promised last season. Cool Fun 101 (which should be deeply into graduate study by now) is Nov. 5. The Texas teams come in Jan. 7 (Houston) and Feb. 11 (San An).
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By the way, for those four games in a row (and only those four), don't forget to factor in time changes, if you're going off the AHL site. Translated to Eastern, they're 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 5:05 p.m. and 8 p.m. starts, in order.
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I have two St. John's stories, maybe, to share. Maybe this weekend.
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Doug Gilmour is joining the Marlies' coaching staff.
Congrats to Ted Lindsay, Phil Housley, Brian Burke and Bob Naegele on the Lester Patrick Trophy.
Soundin' Off Book Club: Vaccinated, by Paul A. Offit, from last year. About Maurice Hilleman, who developed most modern major vaccines, and about the others who've developed them, too. Moving story, brightly told; great read.
There are, as of daybreak Friday: 42 days to Islanders camp; 52 days to Sound Tigers camp; 63 days to opening night; 71 days to the home opener.
And finally, at least I'll get to see a team from ManchVegas once this year... Who knows where we can get a good meal in Williamsport?
*-We demand concert reviews.
Posted by mike on August 7, 2008 11:53 PM
Comments
I have been going to Williamsport since 83. I think I can share with you some good eaterys Mike. Just blast an email my way. I can help you out with hotels as well if you need. Most of the decent hotels are in Williamsport. The Little League complex is in South Williamsport. Make sure you know the difference because the locals do. Different police departments also. Also wear comfortable shoes. You will do some workout type walking. The 2 Stadiums are at the base of a mountain. You will be walking up some steep slopes.
Posted by: dist1ump at August 8, 2008 8:17 AM
mike, do you think you will be going to the Canada Games?
Posted by: hank at August 8, 2008 2:38 PM
Thanks, Ump.
Hank: Too soon to know. I'd love to, though. We'll see.
Posted by: Fornabaio at August 8, 2008 3:51 PM
I forgot to post about Neil last night. I would not say it was the best that I ever seen him perform but it was very good. We had great seats. Right next to the stage a few rows above stage level. We could not see the video screens since they were directly above us.
Neil played some real oldies last night. Also some from the Hot August night album that I have never heard him do live before. Sweet Caroline was the biggie of the night. After the song was completed he started to play the end chorus again for the crowd.
We did not see the Idols share the stage but I have a feeling they were there. They were many tour buses parked outside on Trumbull St.
Posted by: dist1ump at August 8, 2008 4:21 PM
Definitely a great place to sit for the Neil concert. His stage included a hexagon section that he stood (or sometimes sat) on and it was on rails and would move from the center of the stage, where it started, all the way to either side. So, once in awhile he'd end up on our side. Then he also walks around a fair amount and ends up standing just about right in front of us. As for the performance, it was good, but the song selection was a bit odd at times (like right before he went off prior to encores). The one nice thing about it was that he played some stuff that he hasn't done much in recent years so that was cool. And, his band was great as always with what sometimes seems like 20 people on the stage (more like 15 probably), and they're all top quality musicians.
Oh... and Shelton better wake up. They're losing at the halfway point.
Posted by: Andy at August 9, 2008 2:39 PM
