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BC
Icemen |
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1997
- 2002 |
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United
Hockey League (UHL) |
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Broome
County Veterans Memorial Arena |
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O'Reilly: "The Icemen
Cameth"
Brendan O'Reilly
June 9, 2003
In the wrap up of a highly successful first season of the Binghamton
Senators, one important detail seems to have been forgotten.
There has been hockey here in Binghamton the past 6 years.
After the final loss, fans were interviewed downtown, and they said, "This team was great and they brought hockey back to
Binghamton."
As if the UHL never touched down in the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. And for all the criticism the BC Icemen have
received, they still played hockey. Good hockey.
Not only that, they were a great bunch of guys and a great team to watch. During their tenure here, from 1997 to 2002, I was forced to listen to countless fans tell me they'd never go to an Icemen game because it wasn't good hockey.
Many times I was tempted to ask when they became a professional hockey scout, but I suppose people are entitled to their opinion. Even when they're wrong.
The players weren't as skilled, or as fast, or as big. But they worked just as hard as any player on an AHL roster, for a fraction of the salary.
We were lucky enough to have great guys like Brad Jones, Derek Wood and Chris
Greenville bust their tails every single night, even if it was in front of a half-empty Arena.
I am not a hockey expert, and I never will be. But I know you are supposed to support your local team, something the BC Icemen struggled to get every single season they played.
This season, the B-Sens got great fan support. Now comes the hard part - doing it again next season.
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