On our way to the Naylor-Hagen family reunion we made a detour through Strongsville, OH to see the Lake Erie Monsters. The Monsters are the farm team for the Colorado Avalanche, the Parkin family team (for most Parkins, anyway). We watched them play their last preseason game against the Rochester Americans in their practice rink, which only holds about 200 people. Considering that they normally play in an arena the size of many pro arenas, this must be a strange experience for them.
Unfortunately for the Monsters, their goaltending blew the game for them. Lake Erie dominated the entire game, but the goalie let in three weak goals and the Americans' goalie had a strong performance. But it was still fun to watch and we got to see four fights. The best part was that we were at the far end of the stadium, right next to the section with all the scouts and team employees. They told a great story about a game last year against one of the Canadian teams where one of their hot new rookies started a fight with an opposing player to show he was tough as well as talented. Unfortunately the guy he fought was the son of a golden glove boxer and he went to the hospital in an ambulance and required 14 stitches to hold his face back together. Somebody left the rink in an ambulance at this game too after one of the fights, but it wasn't clear who it was.
Hoover Arena—the practice rink
I have no idea who was on the ice here. All the top prospects I know were still a part of the Aves preseason roster at this point, or just not playing in this game.
This was the one fight that was more like a brawl. Two guys started it, but everyone else joined in. I believe one of the Monsters hit the Americans' goalie when he was our of the crease and out of the trapezoid. I have no problem with hitting the goalie when he leaves his safety zone, but I would have started the fight too. You have to protect your goalie.
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