Halifax Rainmen vs. Boston Blizzard Impressions

[Shootmaster_44]

Originally Posted by tops804

For those who forgot the demise for the W.B.L.


The Youngstown Pride:


Monus tried moving forward with "major expansion" in order to make the
league more attractive..."Major", but far less than what the A.B.A. is doing.

Owners weren't prepared for payroll, travel, and the small media attention
that they received...Some lasted a short time, others were bankrolled by
the league. By 1992 teams were bailing out mid-season. Once the "other
peoples" money ran out...The league suspended operations. The plan failed,
because they failed to plan.

Sound like another basketball leaders plan?

Something else that sounds sort of like the ABA, the strongest teams (the Canadian teams) split off from the WBL, after its demise to become the NBL. Not that this league lasted very long either as it completed only its first season and suspended mid-way through the second. Could perhaps be an omen for the PBL, not that there's anything connecting the two.

An interesting and sort of sad story from the NBL was that of Willie Murdagh (sp?). He was a member of the Cape Breton Breakers in 1993. The Breakers qualified for the NBL Finals that year here in Saskatoon. Unfortunately, once the team arrived for Game 1, they realized they didn't have the money to return home for Game 3. So the league moved the entire finals to Saskatoon. Unfortunately, the Breakers and the league never did come up with the money to send players home. Most found ways to pay for a way home. But Willie Murdagh stranded in Saskatoon, simply found an apartment and stayed here. After a couple years out of pro basketball, he signed in the CBA and retired after the 2001-02 season with the Saskatchewan Hawks.

[psbf]

how many there were at the All-Star game, I'm not really surprised by the crowd. But what does impress me is that there were more! Just reading that report, I almost forgot that this was an ABA game. If they continue with these numbers, I would think maybe they could be a candidate for swiching to the CBA. It would be nice to see a crowd like that when I go to the Xplosion game(Fri.).
Keep in mind, this was opening night there. I'm curious to find out what their next home game turnout is like.

[TheStandard]

What was the Xplosions largest attendance?

And what was their real average.

I see pictures of their games and I swore there had to have been anywhere between 100-300 people in a cavernous arena

[psbf]

turnout was about 1,500. Unforunately, our losing streak in the beginning of the season kept it around 500. We finished the season winless at Mellon Arena., all our wins came at Petersen Events Center.

[CJPhillips]

Great reading that the Halifax Rainmen are doing well. Check my website www.frozenhoops.com which has majority of the history of pro and semi-pro ball in Canada. Wrote articles for majority of the teams over the years. Here is something of note. Received an e-mail just this week from a former ball player (one of the best in our history) now living in Ontario that wants to have me in on a conference call with two other sports gents of note out that way, in regards to getting a pro hoops league going in Canada again? I've always told my wife that when I retire my dream is to spearhead and establish a league coast-to-coast-to-coast during the winter which leaves the summer for me to administrate the international sports camp I am involved in during the summers. With Halifax, Montreal and Quebec City on solid ground and with Missassuga and Ottawa chomping at the bit this could be a reality.

[CJPhillips]

Forgot to mention that Hamilton will have a ABA team next year and Vanocuver an IBL team of which Edmonton, Calgary are looking at with another possible chance at Saskatoon. Lethbridge is also in the hunt for a franchise of sorts. So that gives us both a west and east division with 11-12 teams.

[tbayz1]

Great Job Hailfax!

Lets hope it stays that way

[Fells]

The Rainmen look like they are going to be one of the better run franchises in the league, and from the looks of it will do well at the gate. They did VERY well in getting things done, and I was impressed not only with the crowd, but the fact that they actually got stats out right after the game. Wow, that NEVER happens!!!

[heavesrock]

It surprises me the Frost Heaves don't have stats up.

[psbf]

that Alex no longer does it, so I guess that's what you get with a new reporter.