Taking in a Quad City Flames Game

Comments 7 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Yesterday after many more family good times, we piled into the car and drove over to the Quad Cities (which consist of Davenport, Rock Island, Moline, and Bettendorf) to catch my first-ever AHL game.

Bollwitts

Driving through the countryside from Iowa to Illinois we followed a breathtaking sunset that made the entire sky glow from orange to pink. Farmers’ fields spanned for miles while barns the colour of the ripest apples were perched next to veranda-wrapped homes. I also got my first view of the mighty Mississippi River as we crossed over it to reach the arena.

The Quad City Flames (formerly the UHL’s Quad City Mallards) play out of the iWireless Centre in Moline, Illinois. Last night they played the Milwaukee Admirals who are affiliated with the Nashville Predators.

Me and "Firestorm"

No matter how much I cheered for the home team, that actually consisted of many good BC boys, I couldn’t bring myself to chant “Let’s go Flames”, being the true and loyal Canucks fan that I am.

For John‘s nephews, mom, and brother it was our way of exposing them to our favourite sport and in some way, a little piece of where we’re from. John really enjoyed teaching them all about the calls, the plays, and a little more about what he does as a part of that ‘day job’ of his.

QC Flames Bench

Home of John Deere

QC Flames vs Milwaukee Admirals

I enjoy a good hockey game on any level and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. The Flames had speed, a phenomenal goalie, and the boys were pretty happy to see a fight only few minutes into the game. In QC the fans were pretty die-hard and everyone deserved that OT win by the Flames. They had chants, slogans, horns, cowbells, and they pretty much had a “sea of red” with all those sporting jerseys in attendance although unfortunately I was also reminded of this article:

Abbotsford is actively pursuing an American Hockey League franchise, and is negotiating with the Calgary Flames and others to get a deal signed before the 2009-2010 season.

Local businessman Lane Sweeting confirmed in an exclusive interview with the Abbotsford News yesterday that the Quad City Flames, Calgary’s AHL affiliate, is just one of the teams being sought to fill the 7,000 entertainment and sports centre when it is completed in spring 2009. [Abbotsford News]

If more hockey came to our region we’d have the WHL Vancouver Giants, NHL Vancouver Canucks, WHL Chilliwack Bruins and AHL Flames — I must admit it felt pretty good to be so far away from home and still be among people who loved their home-town team and loved the game and I’m not even sure Canucks fans in Abbotsford would support the “Flames”… or would they?

[poll id=”23″]

QC Flames vs Milwaukee Admirals

You can follow QC Flames news through their Twitter account, which I discovered after they added us both after the game last night.

Update March 12, 2009: Calgary has signed a deal with Abbotsford and the QC Flames will be moving.

“The Calgary Flames farm team in Quad Cities, Illinois is set to flicker into oblivion at the end of the season. After months of speculation, the Flames released the Quad City ownership group Thursday from the remaining three years of their minor-league affiliate agreement with the NHL club.” [Calgary Herald]

Current Contests on Miss604
*All contests are open to residents of Canada only, unless otherwise stated. Contest timelines are published on each individual post along with entry methods. Some contests may only be open to those 19 years of age and older. Winners are announced on the contest blog posts. Contest policy »

7 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

  1. JSaturday, January 3rd, 2009 — 12:07pm PST

    I’m glad you had a good time. Last night was a pretty good example of AHL hockey – quick, end to end, and low scoring. There were a few very good prospects in the game as well. Come back again, and bring many, many friends!(As you could see, we could use the attendance boost here in QC). Feel free to follow the season in pictures through the link.

  2. cardeoSaturday, January 3rd, 2009 — 2:19pm PST

    What I’d really like to see is the canucks farm team (the moose) relocated to Vancouver. Toronto does this with their farm team (the marlies). It would be awesome to be able to go and watch the farm team and see the up and coming canuck players.

  3. cardeoSaturday, January 3rd, 2009 — 2:20pm PST

    oh and that calgary farm team logo is hideous

  4. Gilbert DavisSaturday, May 2nd, 2009 — 1:23pm PDT

    Hi How did J.D.Watt look, I am a Van Giants season ticket holder. After they traded hil to Red Deer in 07/08 only seen him twice in Van, they lost both games. You must of seen Cody Franson and Triston Grant ex. Giants and Mark Santorelli from Chilliwack also. Hope to hear back.

    Gil

  5. Phoenix Coyotes Potential Move to Ontario » Vancouver Blog Miss 604 by Rebecca BollwittWednesday, May 6th, 2009 — 9:24am PDT

    […] one would love to see the midwest get another team or at least one of the Dakotas. Given that the Quad Cities AHL team is going to be moving out to Abbotsford, I’m also wondering if the team would have […]

  6. Switzerland: Zurich » Vancouver Blog Miss 604 by Rebecca BollwittFriday, November 20th, 2009 — 9:28am PST

    […] the past year I’ve experienced hockey games from Burnaby, to Vancouver, and even Moline, Illinois. However, being able to witness European hockey at this level (and in Switzerland to boot) is the […]

  7. Gillian GildoreSaturday, December 11th, 2010 — 1:44pm PST

    Keep articles like this coming, please.

Also on Miss604.com
«
»