Oct 6th, Quad City Flames-v- Rockford Ice Hogs, innagural AHL game.

Last night we packed up the van with the usual suspects, Alvious, Wolfkeeper,Princess, Kissane and myself. We then hit the road for the inaugural games of these two former UHL teams and arch rivals in their AHL incarnations. Both teams look "new", but I'll leave the improved analysis to others.

All I can say is that although we were in QC and surrounded by familiar faces in classic Hog sweaters, at least at this point in the season the old UHL soul seems to be gone from the teams. Like an injured vetran player, the old UHL spirt just was missing from both benches. It begs the question; "Can the dedicated fans of these two great UHL traditions bring their new teams and the rest of us, their UHL enthusiasm and desperately needed soul?" If there is a Hockey God in heaven they will, I for one will be lighting candles and wearing out the prayer beads in this effort. If any group of fans can get the rest of us off of our well padded rumpuses it is the Rockford Boosters. Any team that can inspire an Elvis tribute artist to follow them on the road, well, you just have to believe in insanity like that.

You read it here first,the UHL soul will rise again! It will be the true believers from QC and Rockford that like a crazed hockey fan shall lead us.



PowderhornHockey