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Oh what a night!

May 25, 2007

The Rockford Icehogs - 2007 UHL Champions.

And I saw the deciding game 7 last night in Rockford. The third time in my life I've witnessed a pro hockey Cup winning moment (along with Chicago in 1998 and Hershey in 2006).

After realizing a game seven would happen after Rockford's loss Tuesday night in Kalamazoo, I went online and bought tickets for last night's guaranteed Cup-hoisting game.

As the Admirals UHL affiliate, I naturally was there to support the Hogs, but would not have been devastated if the Wings would have pulled it off. I was simply there to see a pretty cool hockey moment.

Rockford dressed 13 of their 15 former Admirals, but unfortunately, not Paul Brown (pictured with the Cup). Kalamazoo had one former Admiral (Kory Karlander 1997-98).

A decent (but not sold out) crowd of over 6200 loud and proud fans were on hand hoping to celebrate after the final horn. I'm guessing there were at least 200 fans from Michigan cheering on their Wings.

I was disappointed that there was not any Colonial Cup merchandise on sale. You would think with strong buying power of the Icehogs fan base, a t-shirt commemorating the final series would have made some money. And I was surprised (but not upset) that the supply of rally towels being handed out at the turnstile ran out after about two minutes.

The game itself was good by UHL standards... and despite what was on the line, there were plenty of hard hits. Neither team created many stellar scoring chances, but it was still an exciting game to watch.

The Hogs struck first less than three minutes into the game as playoff MVP Kevin Ulanski connected on a shorthanded breakaway, beating rookie netminder Ryan Nie. The Wings power play unit tied it up in the middle of the first, but I didn't see exactly what happened as several fans in front of me stood up as the puck bounced around in front of goaltender Frederic Cloutier. No jumbotron... no replay.

Jason Notermann put the Hogs up for good in the second, and that led to a frustrating to watch third period... just as the Admirals were guilty of all season... playing prevent defense with a one goal lead... seldom sending more than two players into the offensive zone. The tension broke as Nicolas Corbeil sent the anxious crowd into a frenzy by scoring with 1:33 left in regulation. Final score... Rockford 3 - Kalamazoo 1.

After the final horn, the textbook player mob celebration... never gets old. Chaz Johnson did some sort of dance move at center ice, as his teammates exchanged high fives and hugs followed by the postgame handshake. The league commissioner spoke for a few moments and handed out the MVP award to Ulanski and the Colonial Cup to team captain Nathan Lutz. Girlfriends, wives, family, and friends joined the team on the ice as the Cup was passed around. Fans in the arena were overjoyed.

As I exited the building a good half hour after the final horn, we were treated to fireworks and the sounds of car horns echoing throughout the main parking structure. Good times... but my time as a Rockford 'fan' ended as I left the downtown area, as the Icehog's AHL Era begins now.

I wish the Icehogs good fortune (towards longevity, not on-ice success) in the AHL, however, I hope their fans also 'upgrade' from the UHL to the AHL. It was quite embarrassing to see hundreds of fans throw a fit anytime an Icehog player lost an edge or was (legally) checked out of the play... pleading for penalties and insulting the ref... (or 'refs' as I heard fans say several times that night).

Yes, officials do miss things from time to time... and it's acceptable to give the referee grief when it's warranted, but the crew I saw last night did a decent job (referee John Searle and linesmen Peter Cichy and Al Stensland). The crowd has reacted the same in every game I've ever attended in Rockford.

Still... congratulations Icehog fans. Soak it up and enjoy this time. It may be a while until you can recapture that feeling again, as the odds are against you in a 29/30 team league.

posted by Todd # 4:18 PM

Comments:

haha, not short on negativity towards Rockford fans...I like it.

# posted by

Anonymous : May 26, 2007 10:41 AM

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