Hockeyday at the Coliseum
Sunday July 29th, the "Colly Corner" inside the Eastern States Coliseum was packed for our second "Hockeyday at the Coliseum".
Joined by members from as far away as Virginia, the afternoon was a testament to the enduring feelings for an era long gone. It was a day full of stories, past and present. Sharing some fabulous stories of days gone by were Eddie "Ted" Shore, Jr. and Pat Pompei, son of legendary Springfield sportswriter Sam Pompei.
The present was represented by Pat Lucey, president of the Springfield Falcons Booster Club. Also speaking to the current status of hockey in Springfield was Bob Oliver, Senior Vice President and Alternate Governor of the Falcons.
Mixed in were some terrific stories from Mike Kelly of the Falcons and Tom McDonough of the Rhode Island Reds Heritage Society.
The highlight of the afternoon was Shore, speaking from the box seats in Section 17, as he spun yarn after yarn, relating stories from a time when he did everything "but sign the players checks". Shore was joined later by Pompei who spoke briefly about playing in Eddie Shore Sr's junior hockey leagues ("Hat Trick Patrick") and what it was like to be a "Rink Rat" in those days.For many, the thought of talking hockey for nearly four hours on a beautiful summer's afternoon would be incomprehensible. For the group assembled for Hockeyday, the day was a big piece of Hockey Heaven. The planning has already begun for "Night at the Nest 3", to be held in the Executive Perch of the MassMutual Center. We will have more information once this season's AHL schedule is available.