Honestly, I don't think it was even that big...probably 1200 or so, 1500 tops. The turnout would've been much better if they'd been able to play it on a Saturday or Sunday, paired with a Komets home game. Really, it was a prime example of what a change in venue does - what passes for a great crowd at Swonder is downright awful in a 10,000-seat arena.

Oddly, BC was technically the home team, but it sure didn't seem like it. The crowd was probably about 60% in favor of Evansville, 10% in favor of BC (although they get bonus points for the girl dressed up like the logo), and 30% neutral. We even got a goal horn when we scored, but when BC scored...nothing.

The Coliseum is indeed beautiful. I played there when I was 11 or 12, and it was really showing its age back then. The recent renovation and expansion was very well done. Modern amenities, much better lighting, improved sound system...really makes it hard to tell that the building is almost 60 years old.

As for the game itself...well, that wasn't so pretty. Neither team looked particularly sharp, but BC made fewer mistakes and did better converting chances. (We had 46 shots and quite a few good chances, but just couldn't buy a goal at times.) Mario didn't look like the Mario we all know and love, and he actually pulled himself after the 6th goal. Dorman didn't see much action once he took over, but he looked good the few times he was called upon. I'd actually rather see him in net tonight...give Mario a day off to regroup.

Hope Croteau is okay today. For those who weren't there, he and Rob Schweyer had a really really scary mid-ice collision in the final minute of the 1st period. Neither guy fully saw it coming, and Croteau got the worst of it. He was in immense pain when he went down, and stayed down for a few minutes. He almost certainly had a concussion, and was apparently complaining of chest pain as well. He was taken to the hospital and kept overnight for observation. We won't see him on the ice again until next weekend, at the earliest.

I did get a few videos from the game, including our first goal. I'll try to get them uploaded in the next couple days... 

Last Edited By: Shocker 02/13/10 6:38 PM. Edited 1 times.