Outland Sports
Our hockey teams are the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL and the Philadelphia Flyers & LA Kings of the NHL. For baseball, we are fans of the Philadelphia Phillies, SF Giants, and Boston Red Sox as well as the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs of the International (AAA) League.
We currently have a full-season ticket package for the LV Phantoms for their inaugural season begins. We also have a full-season ticket package for the LV Iron Pigs. Pictures and reports from games we attend will be posted here:
MeLVin’s Birthday Party: January 30, 2015
During the Lehigh Valley Phantoms game on Friday, January 30, 2015 the Phantoms hosted the Hershey Bears. The game was also MeLVin, the team’s mascot, birthday party. To celebrate his birthday, MeLVin had friends in the form of other mascots at his party. These included: the world famous Phillie Phanatic from the Philadelphia Phillies, FeRROUS & FeFE from the Iron Pigs, Slapshot from the Reading Royals, Tux the Penguin from the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins, CoCo from the Hershey Bears, Hat Trick from the Norfolk Admirals, Red from Red Robin, Mr. Rooter from Mr. Rooter Plumbing, Avalanche from Kutztown University. The mascots came out in a stretch limo during the first intermission and played hockey with a local youth hockey Phantoms team. During the second intermission the mascots played musical chairs which came down to MeLVin and CoCo as the last two and the two ended up in a fight. MeLVin, of course, won.
Battle on Hamilton: September 27, 2014
The puck officially dropped at the PP&L Center in Allentown, PA on September 27, 2014. In the first-ever hockey game at the new arena, a scrimmage was held with members of the Philadelphia Flyers and the newly relocated Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Members of each team were melded into two teams: Team White and Team Orange so that each team had members of the NHL and AHL clubs respectively. Team Orange wore the Flyers Orange jerseys while Team White wore the Flyers White jerseys.
The game began at 5:00 PM and the first period was a low scoring event with no penalties, and of course, no fights. Team White was the first to strike when former Reading Royals player, Brett Flemming, scored the first goal of the game. The two teams went into the first intermission with Team White holding the lead but that soon changed when Michael Raffl hit the back of the net to tie the game for Team Orange. Moments later Team Orange took a 2-1 lead when Jason Akeson scored the go ahead goal. Petr Straka took the game’s first penalty in the second period when he was called for tripping. Team White managed to kill the penalty but later in the period Taylor Leier scored to give Team Orange a 3-1 lead which they took into the second intermission.
The third period had quite a bit of action as Brnadon Alderson scored for Team Orange to give the team a commanding 4-1 lead. Straka then struck for team White to cut the lead to 4-2. Flemming scored his second goal of the game for Team White to cut the lead to 4-3. Howver Chris VandeVelde sunk the puck into the empty net to give Team Orange the lead and the final of 5-3.
It was a great night and I’m looking forward to the hockey season this year. Our seats are in section 101 and we look out on the tunnel which is how I was able to capture some of the great pictures of the players taking / coming off of the ice.
Reading Royals vs. Wheeling Nailers: November 10, 2013
On Sunday, November 10, 2013 the Reading Royals hosted the Wheeling Nailers at Santander Arena in Reading, PA. The teams had met the night before in Wheeling with the Royals being triumphant. In the first period, the Royals dominated outshooting the Nailers 13-5 but neither team managed to score.
The first intermission was highlighted by a group called the "Zooperstars". The tandom of mascot like characters that came out included Mario Lemule, Bobby Oranguatan, and Shaquille O'Seal. The trio did funny, silly dances during the intermission.
Hockey excitement started in the second period as the Reading Royals struck first with a power play goal. Galiev was initially credited with the goal but later it was changed to Mondardo with Galiev having the assist. Later former Reading Royal Stevenson was in a tussle which sent him to the sin bin. The Royals capitalized on that power play scoring off the face off (5 seconds into power play) to take a 2-0 lead. Wiles got the goal with Gazley and Kavenagh receiving the helpers. Immediately during the next face off gloves (and helmets) were dropped as Molle from the Royals duked it out with McGrath. Molle landed some intense blows to the former. Shortly after Reading goaltender, Riley Gill, denied Reading nemesis Chaz Johnson, the Royals gave up the puck in a somewhat sloppy play with Wheeling capitalized on to cut the lead to 2-1. Wheeling then headed back to the sin bin, which seemed to be one of their major issues in this game, with 48.5 seconds left in the second period. The game was delayed slightly at this point as there seemed to be issue with a pane of glass in the arena. The horn sounded and the period came to an end. The shots on goal after two periods was 23-10 in favor of Reading.
Once again, during the second intermission, the audience was graced by the "Zooperstars". This time the audience was introduced to Dennis Frogman. Frogman proceeded to start dancing and grabbed a young guy who was standing off of the side of the ice. The two began to have a dance off. When Dennis Frogman ripped off his tank top the young man replied by taking his shirt off and giving the crowd a flex. Frogman started some rough housing which resulted in the young man drop kicking (ala professional wrestling style) Frogman. With Dennis Frogman down on the floor, Squidney Crosby comes out and proceeds to swallow the young man. After the young man is consumed by #87, the squid burps up the man's shoes. Shortly after the squid squats and the young man comes out wearing only his boxer shorts. It was an amusing intermission.
Third period started with the Royals on a power play with Wheeling shortly after making a short handed rush. They were, however, denied by Riley Gill. Flemming from Reading and Rowney from Wheeling went on to have their own tussle showing that these teams are really increasing their rivalry toward one another. Shortly after Wheeling headed to the sin bin again, this time for charging. Grassi from Wheeling and the Royals' Cajkovsky had an exchanged which resulted in unsportsmanlike conduct penalties for each of them but no goals were scored on the power play. Reading then gave up a series of penalties which really tested the penalty kill but Reading ended up victorious 2-1. Wiles gets the first star of the game and was also the scheduled player autograph session after the game.
Reading Royals vs. Elmira Jackals; November 2, 2013
On, November 2, 2013 the Reading Royals hosted their division rivals, the Elmira Jackals at the Santandera Arena in Reading, PA. The game was tied 1-1 after the first period with Reading striking first. In the second period, Reading scored to take back the lead 2-1. The third period began with back to back goals by the Royals to take a 4-1. The final tally was 5-2 Reading.
The night theme was honoring the men and women who have served our country. The festivities included a camo jersey give-away, ceremonial puck drop by a member of the armed services which included 2 uniformed soldiers dropping down to the ice from the scoreboard by rope. Also fans in attendance who have served were invited to send their names to the Royals and during the intermissions, their names & section where they sit were announced so they could be recognized. The team also wore camo jerseys to commemorate the night. These jerseys were then auctioned off after the game.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. New York Mets September 22, 2013
On Sundy, September 22, 2013 we attended the last home game of the season for the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies sent Cliff Lee to the mound but unfortunately the Phillies lost the game 4-3. The Mets swept the Phillies in this series.
AAA Baseball National Championship Game
On Tuesday, September 17, 2013 the AAA Baseball National Championship Game which was sponsored by Gildan was held at Coca-Cola Park Park, home of the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, in Allentown, PA. The game was held between the Durham Bulls of the International League and the Omaha Storm Chasers of the Pacific Coast League. The Budweiser Clydesdales made an appearance at the pre-game festivities and also on the field prior to the game.
Philadelphia Phillies September 8, 2013
For the second day of my birthday weekend, I went on a bus trip to the Philadelphia Phillies game. Even though I only live an hour from Citizen's Bank Park I find going on a bus trip is easier. This way I don't have to worry about parking and traffic. And since I was out late the night before with the Washington, D.C. trip it was even better taking the bus.
The starting pitcher for the game against the Atlanta Braves was Cole Hamels. I had seen Cole pitch the last time I was to CBP and he was equally impressive this time. The really cool part of the game was that the majority of the Phillies starting line up had started either this season or last season with the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs so I got to see a lot of players who I am familiar with.
The Phillies ended up winning the game 3-2. Cole Hamels got the win with B.J. Rosenberg getting the save.
Favorite Hockey Teams
Happy Birthday to Tux, the WBS Pens Mascot
I have been told that I'm odd with regard to what hockey teams I follow, especially in the NHL. This is mostly due to the fact that I live in Flyers country but am a Penguins fan but I also consider myself a Flyers fan. That baffles many people as the two teams are bitter rivals. But I do like both teams. If the two are playing one another…I have to admit that I pull more for the Pens than the Flyers. With that being said, my teams are as follow:
NHL:
1) Penguins
2) LA Kings
3) Maple Leafs
4) Flyers
5) Sharks
AHL:
1) WBS Pens
2) Phantoms (they will move to #1 once they move to Allentown)
ECHL:
1) Reading Royals
Lehigh Valley Phantoms!
Today it was announced that the Phantoms, AHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, will rename themselves the Lehigh Valley Phantoms when they move to Allentown for the 2014 season. The Phantoms left Philadelphia a few years ago when the Spectrum was set for demolition. The team relocated, temporarily, to Adirondack while an arena was to be built in Allentown, PA. After many challenges, the arena will be built and the team will begin their 30 year term in Allentown for the 2014 season.
Personally we have already purchased our season tickets for the Phantoms and can't wait for the team to relocate. Visit the team at www.phantomsareana.com
Reading Royals Sign Former Player
Last Hockey Season
Today the Reading Royals announced that they have signed Forward, Kirk MacDonald. I, personally, was wondering about this signing because last week a youtube video came out from the Royals announcing the signing and then was taken down with no formal announcement.
MacDonald previously had been with the Royals during the 2008 - 2009 season during which he was called up to the Providence Bruins of the AHL, who had been the Royals' affiliate at the time. Kirk has been in the AHL ever since which makes me wonder what happened that he is back in the ECHL, although I'm not complaining as I'm happy to have him back.
The team also announced their training camp rosters which now includes MacDonald. The Royals also have added a few players who have been granted tryouts.
Given that we are departing for Disney on Wednesday, we will not have a chance to attend any of the training camp sessions nor the pre-season game but will be back in time for the full-season ticket holder party. We plan on taking pictures and providing a report. Stay tuned!