HOCKEY NIGHT IN ALLENTOWN: “Phantoms At 10” 10/3/23 Preseason

“Smile and grin at the change all around…”    -Peter Townshend

Back and better than ever?  Maybe.

Welcome to Season 10 of Hockey Night In Allentown.

It’s time to get our first (unless you were at the practice event on Sunday) look at the 2023-24 team.  Here are some things to look for if you’re going to the game tonight–or just watching on TV.

1. The Players.  Maybe print out a roster (Here: Roster 1 ) and watch to see if Adam Brooks, Rhett Gardner, Cooper Marody, Louie Belpedio, and Victor Mete clear waivers today, and could also appear tonight.  We’ll have some player spotlights and such in this space going forward to help get to know the new guys.
2. The Arena.  Look for changes around the barn–one I noticed at the rookie game was that some of the portable stands no longer take cash.  The main concessions do, I’ve been told.  And I’m used to it from the baseball side where many stadiums are cashless.  But still, be prepared and see if you can spot anything else new.
3. The Parking.  I’ve been told that the parking rates remain the same as last season, but you never know, so keep an eye on that.  I am 0-1 vs the Parking Overlords in my continued battle for free parking; I’ll keep you updated.
4. The Restaurants.  A couple popular places are closed on Tuesdays–PA Rye Company and Bell Hall.  I’m not sure the status of Chickie’s or 99 Bottles for this season, so we’ll keep an eye out for that.  Blended is no longer a Bru Daddy’s affiliate–that happened some time last season I think.  And, Sports and Social is…a lot.
5. The Power Play.  The past two seasons have been notable for an absolutely incompetent power play.  Why?  I’m not sure.  One guess is that some of the younger players were learning new roles on the man-advantage and they just never got into a rhythm of how to generate goals.  We’ll have a bunch of those younger players back for another tour this season, so perhaps we can get some stability and become a more reasonable team who can score goals sometimes.  So take a look tonight–it’s really early in their AHL camp I know–for any signs of life on the power play.
6. Oh look, there is a Media Kit for tonight.  Here: 1026332-82
7. It has the Pens roster but not ours–somewhat incomplete, but it’s preseason for everyone.

Up Next:  The team will head up to Wilkes-Barre on Saturday for the second half of the home/home preseason match-up.  On Sunday, Hershey visits for a 1PM kick-off for the second home preseason tilt, and final tune-up before the start of the season.  The regular season opens at home at the PPL Center vs. Cleveland on Saturday October 14.  Opening weekend then continues on Sunday as Bellville visits.  There are quite a few Sunday games to start the season, it should be noted.

See you at the arena,

@Kram207

Featured Image by Jack Mitroka