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cyclonehole
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
985 Posts |
 Posted - 12/31/2014 : 8:53:47 PM
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Looking for some info here ... does anyone remember when the Florida Panthers used to play exhibition games in Cincinnati, when they were originally affiliated with the (IHL) Cyclones in the early/mid-90s? This was a few years before I started attending games with my parents as a kid, I can recall the Panthers affiliation back then but had never heard of these games.
I was curious if anyone has any anecdotes they remember to share or can confirm these, as I can't dig up any info online ... someone recently told me that there used to be doubleheaders where the Cyclones would play a pre-season game, followed by the Panthers. I imagine that was quite awesome, getting to see those Cyclones teams featuring Barrie/Lawless/Tomlinson the same day as getting to see a brand new exhibition NHL team.
I do know that the Blue Jackets in their expansion year played Pavel Bure and the Panthers at the Gardens, but I am referring to the games that take place when the Clones were affiliated from 93-95.
Any info is appreciated, thanks. |
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jsun51
(The Next Level!)
143 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2015 : 12:38:42 PM
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| Granted I was only about 9 or 10 at the time, I'm pretty sure the Panthers played the New York Islanders at the Gardens that afternoon. I don't remember who the Cyclones played. |
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bags
(Person With Nothing Better To Do!)
USA
2224 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2015 : 07:19:50 AM
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My book doesn't have preseason games but I remember it at the Gardens so must have been
93-94 and almost sure it was Fort Wayne. Do remember our game was much better than the NHL
game. Think the smaller Gardens messed the NHL passes up and they never seemed to get in
gear all night. I do think the Islanders were the opponent. |
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cyclonehole
(Been Here Awhile)
USA
985 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2015 : 10:27:59 AM
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Appreciate the responses.
Bags - That should have been the year, indeed. Mark Fitzpatrick was Florida's back-up goaltender that year ... as you'll recall he was later a Cyclone when in the Hurricanes organization. Having already been a NHL veteran at that point, he very clearly did not want to be in the IHL, and I recall him getting suspended in a game when he pretty seemingly did so on purpose. |
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Donnie Hockey
(Loves To Post!)
USA
1514 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2015 : 12:27:21 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by bags
My book doesn't have preseason games but I remember it at the Gardens so must have been
93-94 and almost sure it was Fort Wayne. Do remember our game was much better than the NHL
game. Think the smaller Gardens messed the NHL passes up and they never seemed to get in
gear all night. I do think the Islanders were the opponent.
The ice at the Gardens was 200' x 85' for that game, same as every NHL rink except for Chicago.
The minor league game that followed was better? The drop in skill level between the NHL and IHL was clearly noticeable. Well, it was to those in the arena that knew and understood the game.
Don Biggs or Paul Lawless must have waved to you during the pre-game warm-up and that clouded your judgement. :)
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www.twitter.com/donhelbig |
Edited by - Donnie Hockey on 01/03/2015 12:28:27 PM |
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bags
(Person With Nothing Better To Do!)
USA
2224 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2015 : 3:24:10 PM
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Glad to see DH you haven't lost your hatred for me ! I remember the NHL
game being very mediocre and the IHL game loaded with plenty of action.
Since this was a pre-season game, IHL players had something to prove and NHL
players were just playing it safe. If it was a regular season game, the NHL
players I'm sure would have played more physical. Were you there because I
was and my inferior knowledge of hockey voted for IHL game being better. |
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King Of The Monkeys
(Finally Got A Star!)
70 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2015 : 4:11:46 PM
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I seem to remember that the Panthers did this two years but perhaps it was just one. I remember that the guy behind us must have been a huge fan of John Vanbiesbrouck because every time - EVERY TIME - he touched the puck, the guy would scream 'BEEZER!'
I recall that the speed of the game was the biggest difference between the two games. |
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Donnie Hockey
(Loves To Post!)
USA
1514 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2015 : 8:54:08 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by bags
Were you there because I was and my inferior knowledge of hockey voted for IHL game being better.
Yes, I was there. Press Box. Seated next to Panthers GM Bob Clarke and assistant-GM Chuck Fletcher (currently GM of the Minnesota Wild).
I was there for every Cyclones home game starting with the first season in 1990-91 through the 1995-96 season, and most of the road games too! |
www.twitter.com/donhelbig |
Edited by - Donnie Hockey on 01/04/2015 8:58:10 PM |
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bags
(Person With Nothing Better To Do!)
USA
2224 Posts |
Posted - 01/04/2015 : 10:24:05 PM
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I will admit the NHL game is "pure" hockey, but preseason major league
sports are hardly pure ! The night I remember was the IHL game being more
physical and more energetic. The NHL game was more passive with better
passes and skating. My guess is the Florida people were more interested
that night in the Cincinnati players and not the Florida players. This was
the IHL players chance to shine in front of them. NHL hockey is better than
AHL and AHL better than ECHL. Doesn't mean an ECHL game might not be better
entertainment than a NHL game even if the skill level is not the same. That night
I was proud to be and IHL fan. |
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Topic |
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90s Panthers affiliation
