RobDM said:
It's been a fun few weeks at Ricoh Coliseum, I've covered all but one of the home playoff games so far. Most of all, it's fun to see fans finally start to take notice of the team. In 2008 they also went to the final four, but attendance was dreadful - an average of just 2,909 in 10 home games.
So far in 2012, they have more than doubled that total, averaging 6,513 in just five home dates. Today's crowd of 7,327 was just shy of a sellout. Having big name prospects like Gardiner, Frattin and Colborne makes all the difference. Four years ago, arguably the most recognizable prospect was Pogge, who didn't even play as he was relegated to backup status to Clemmensen.
Today was my first Marlies game (and my kids first hockey game). I thought it was very well run. Marlies alley before the game consisted of air hockey tables, hardest shot game, foosball tables (also the hockey version of that whatever it's called) and a bouncy castle. Was also nice to see the players come out to the ice right by the fans. My son got to high five Gardiner, Colborne and Scrivens. It was kinda lost on him that they were the more special players, but I'll be able to tell him the story one day if they ever become something.
It was a great atmosphere and I highly recommend it to anyone on the fence. Burke was walking right in front us on our way out as he was headed to the dressing room. All in all a pretty cool experience.
Notes on the game:
- Kadri was pretty invisible in the 1st and seemed to not play
the rest of the game. Must've gotten injured.
- None of the D stood out especially. Holzer/Mikus didn't look
like much. Gardiner contributed very well on 2 of the goals,
although had a bunch of giveaways. Seemed to want to hold
onto the puck to long. Lashoff looked the most NHL ready to
me from where I was sitting, although admittedly the kids
were distracting me a fair bit.
- Colborne and Frattin played pretty low key games. Credit
where it's due for the 2 goals, but outside of that Frattin's
game wasn't very impressive. Dupuis was all over the place (
in a good way). Looked like a completely different player
than in his time with the Leafs. Deschamps was also
impressive. Rosehill took dumb penalties.
- I thought D'amigo was the best player on the ice for either
team. Based on what I saw today, he looks like he'd be a
fantastic 3rd liner. The effort is always there, he's fast, and
has some pretty good skill
- Scrivens looked good, making some good saves on 2-1's and
even a 3-1. 1 of the goals I thought he should've had.
- Finally Eakins seemed (today at least) to play
Hamilton/Scott/Dupuis/Deschamps/Abbott a lot. Don't
necessarily have a problem with that, but I was expecting to
see more of Kadri/Frattin/Colborne. For example, on the PP
Kadri/Colborne/Frattin were never the first ones out there.
Kudos to Eakins though, this team is very good two ways. Looking forward to heading to the game on Friday.
