Happy Earth Day to all! Just a few notes to pass along on a sunny Friday afternoon…
-What I had heard about a month ago became official earlier this afternoon, when the Times Union Center announced that the Devils and Rangers will be playing a NHL preseason game on Wednesday, September 21st. This marks the first NHL preseason game in Albany in a very long time, if I remember correctly I think 2002 was the last time the NHL was here. We had hoped Carolina would have a game when the Hurricanes had their affiliation here but nothing ever panned out. Tickets go on sale Monday, starting at $17.50 with some seats going for up to $50. Little high for a sporting event in Albany, but it’s NHL and it’s the Devils-Rangers rivalry, and it’s way cheaper than going to MSG or the Rock. And who knows Martin Brodeur may show up, he did play in a preseason game here back when it was an annual event.
-Still keeping an eye on the Calder Cup playoffs, 7 of 8 first round series still going on (Houston is the first to move on to the second round, sweeping Peoria earlier this week). Manchester has its second opportunity to knock Binghamton out with a win tonight, while both East Division matchups (Wilkes-Barre/Norfolk and Hershey/Charlotte) are tied at 2 apiece, with both Game 5s playing out this evening. Portland has its first chance to eliminate the Whale tomorrow in Hartford.
-Jumping off the hockey topic for a bit, next Saturday I’m road tripping it to New York City. I’m going on a bus my office is chartering (using the Devils bus company, Yankee Trails), dropoff and pickup at Bryant Park. I’ll admit I haven’t been to Manhattan in quite awhile (I think my first year of college when I had to go to an event near Columbus Circle was my last venture there), usually when I go to the city I just go to Yankee Stadium. Lots of pictures to be expected…and a little shopping too if I see anything good.
Thoughts Inside The Box 