Playoff Time
March 7, 2007 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Vermont Frost Heaves News Release
I'm writing this as the team bus rumbles back to Vermont after tonight's 106-98 loss to the defending ABA champion Rochester RazorSharks. We're learning more and more about what it will take to become ABA champs in our own right-a quest set to begin on Friday, March 16, at 7:05 p.m. at the Aud in Barre.
How will the ABA Playoffs work?
A total of 24 teams qualify, with the top eight-the Frost Heaves included-getting a first-round bye. Teams No. 9 through No. 16 will host teams No. 17 through No. 24, with the winners of those first-round games advancing to the second round on the home floors of the eight bye holders. Games will proceed in single-elimination format until a champion is crowned, with the higher surviving seeds enjoying home-court advantage. Exact seedings will be revealed on abalive.com on Sunday, March 11.
How can I get tickets?
We're extending to all Barre season-ticket holders an early opportunity to purchase for our first playoff game the same reserved seats they occupied during the regular season. For two days beginning on Monday, March 12, the Flynn Regional Box Office will take orders from Barre season-ticket holders (I-89 Plan or Exit 7 Plan) for those same seats, for what will be called Playoff Game A. At the same time, season-ticket holders of reserved or unreserved Burlington-only seats (Exit 14 Plan) will have an early opportunity to purchase, subject to availability, general admission or reserved tickets for Playoff Game A in Barre in the same quantity they held for the regular season. Also during this two-day window, holders of unreserved seats in Barre will be able to buy general admission or reserved tickets, in the same quantity they held for the regular season, for Playoff Game A.
Please note that the Flynn will only fill orders in person, at their primary box office at 153 Main Street in Burlington; or over the phone, at 802-86-FLYNN. While plenty of operators will be on duty the week of March 12, please be patient and call back if you get a busy signal. Tickets for Playoff Game A ordered over the phone will not be mailed out. They'll be available for pick up at the Aud on Thursday, March 15 (see below for details); or beginning at 5 p.m. on game day, March 16, at two will-call points in the lobby of the Aud. (Doors will open two hours prior to tip-off to accommodate the pick-up process.)
O.K., that's great for season-ticket holders. What about the rest of us?
On Wednesday, March 14, the Flynn will open up the sale of playoff tickets to the general public. While playoff tickets won't be available through either the Barre Opera House or First in Fitness in Montpelier, on Thursday, March 15, from noon to 7 p.m., the Frost Heaves will host a Fan Fest in the basement of the Aud, where regular-season season-ticket holders may pick up tickets already purchased through the "early sale," and anyone may purchase tickets with cash or check for Playoff Game A. In addition, fans will have a chance to sign up for our Have-a-Ball Kids Camps; mingle with Bump the Moose; enjoy refreshments; etc.
Where will other playoff games take place?
The site of any subsequent home playoff games will be determined by a number of factors, including venue availability. For any additional home playoff games we'd follow a similar ticketing procedure, making sure to give holders of, say, Barre-only season tickets a chance to purchase advance tickets for a playoff game in Burlington, as we accommodate Exit 14 Plan fans with their regular seats.
How much will playoff tickets cost?
For the playoffs, we'll be raising ticket prices by $2 each across all categories. With Flynn Regional Box Office service charges folded in, a reserved ticket will cost $16.25; general admission adult $12; general admission student $10; and general admission children 12 and under $8.
What happened in Rochester?
We dug ourselves an early hole, and despite outscoring the RazorSharks over the final three quarters, never could pull any closer than four points. The Sharks have now won 34 straight in the Blue Cross Arena. But if we can finish our regular season with a couple of wins, there's a chance that all of our playoff games, including any against Rochester, would take place in Vermont.
How can we help?
Make the trip to Montreal and Quebec City this weekend to cheer the Heaves on! It will take a concerted effort to secure a No. 1 seed for the duration of the playoffs. Milne Travel has put together a fan bus that will leave the Berlin Park & Ride at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 10, and the Doubletree Hotel in South Burlington one hour later. The package includes round-trip, deluxe motor coach transport; tickets to games against the Royal on Saturday night and the Kebekwa on Sunday afternoon; an overnight at the Quebec Hilton; and sightseeing tours of both world-class cities. The cost is $149 per person, based on double occupancy. A third and fourth person is $99 each. Proof of citizenship is required for entry into Canada. For more information and to book, call Milne Travel in Barre at 802-479-0541.
For more information about the Frost Heaves, go to www.vermontfrostheaves.com.
By Alexander Wolff
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
• Discuss this story on the American Basketball Association message board...
American Basketball Association Stories from March 7, 2007
- Sea Dawgs end regular season with win over Vision - Wilmington Sea Dawgs
- Nighthawks to set world record, start tallest team in history - Maryland NightHawks
- Luke Mervil and Dave Stala to suit up for Royal - Montreal Royal
- Playoff Time - Vermont Frost Heaves
- Frost Heaves to host playoff opener at Barre Aud - Vermont Frost Heaves
- Sanders named Top 20 player in nation - Cape Cod Frenzy
- Sahlen "Do Your Best, Never Quit" at North Buffalo Community Center - Buffalo Silverbacks
- Six ABA players among Top 20 minor leaguers - ABA
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
