Amerks at War Memorial

Official Review by Dennis Morrell, Stadium Journey Special Correspondent

The American Hockey League (AHL) has a long history, all the way back to 1936. While no teams remain from that inaugural season, a few have been around for a long time and the Rochester Americans are among them. Since 1956, the Rochester Americans have been members of the AHL, playing their games in the same building for all 55 years of their existence.

Call it anything you want, but the Blue Cross Arena at War Memorial remains to many just "The War Memorial". Even after a renovation, the building still exudes the charm of a time long ago with great features no longer found in modern arenas.

It also helps that after several years of estrangement, the Americans and NHL's Buffalo Sabres are back as partners and the result makes seeing a game at the War Memorial so much better. Being just 80 miles apart, it is a natural relationship that serves the region and hockey fans well.

Food & Beverage    3

The standard type of fare is available and all priced reasonably. You can get a 16-oz. beer for under $6. Try a 24-oz Molson for just $7. A jumbo soda is just $3.75. A hot dog is $3 and a cheeseburger is $4. Want something better? You will have to get it before the game.

At the north end, there is plenty of standing area as the side concourses empty out to a large space where quite a few other concession stands exist. Near section 121, you can order premium beers and mixed drinks at what is called The Bud Pub.

Atmosphere    3

The War Memorial offers a unique blend of new to old as you enter the main gates. A renovation in 1998 gave the venue a modern façade and a new main gate, ticket office and merchandise area. Nothing special here, but the main lobby leads to steps rising high to the main concourse.

The ticket office is just inside to the right and back off the street inside the atrium area as you enter the main gate. The long and confusing queue to buy tickets is a little too much, but be patient. You will figure it out.

Just steps after you exit the ticket queue, stop by the large room filled with American merchandise. Nothing special here, but this AHL team knows the value of regaining the partnership with the NHL's Sabres and makes it known with a new wave of merchandise to promote the arrangement.

A walk toward the ticket takers and your seats gives you a sense of the long history and reverence the city has with their veterans. Additionally, banners commemorating the team's success of sixteen visits to the Calder Cup Finals with six of those trips ending in a Championship. The building exudes a rich history.

Traditional organ music fills the arena and rock music, while played during the games, is simply kept as an accompaniment, not a main source of noise. The pitch in the rows to provide sightlines is exceptional only impacted negatively by the tall railing bars between sections to assist fans up and down the aisle. It was a distraction causing me to find a seat in the very middle of each row to mitigate the line of sight issues.

The renovation did nothing to widen the concourses, but it still seems to be appropriately sized even for a large crowd which was not present on the night of my visit. It seemed like every few steps there was a concession stand or cart to sell food or beverages.

At the North end of the arena, behind the goal the Americans defend twice, there is an extremely high pitch to the sections allowing for the sensation of being right on top of the ice. Throughout the rest of the arena, a split level dividing lower and upper bowl exists. Luxury suites, added during the renovation, border the sides of the rink behind the upper bowl sections.

I like sitting in the middle of the rink at the red line facing the benches. If you like this vantage point, then sit in section 206 and choose a high row near the split between upper and lower bowls. The Americans will be facing you to the left and the visiting team to your right. Oddly enough, the scoreboard is not positioned over center ice. It is high above the visiting team's blueline. Still, it offers video.

You can tell the marketing push centers on the team's relationship with the parent Sabres and the lengthy tradition of being in Rochester. The uniforms, logos and colors remain unchanged and the team could use some fresh ideas.

Neighborhood    3

There are a few options, but only one I found worth pursuing. Behind and across the bridge spanning the Genesee River lies Dinosaur BBQ. After you park your car, enjoy the walk as you will see an interesting engineering feat which powers a good portion of Rochester.

After a brisk few steps, walk into Dinosaur BBQ and order the ribs. You cannot go wrong. Add some sweat tea to it and your dining accomplishment is complete. Then waddle into the arena for the game.

Fans    4

After 55 years of hockey, the rich tradition of players who have skated on War Memorial ice has led to a lengthy following. I engaged fans throughout the night, randomly selecting those with either ornate jerseys or those sitting around me.

It is clear they know their players well, who is up, who is down, who is touted as a top prospect and who is on the downside of their career. You can tell they appreciate being aligned with the Buffalo Sabres-owned team again. There is more structure and tradition with this partnership.

The fans have their own cheers and are quick to express disgust and delight. On this night, when the team's play remained sluggish in the middle frame, fans voiced their displeasure to the extent the home team came out in the third and challenged the visiting Syracuse Crunch.

Access    4

Like many downtown arenas, parking is a premium and rarely ever free. Such is the case in Rochester. A secured lot to the north of the arena is $7. This is where I parked before heading to dinner and then the game. There is street parking, but by 5:30, it was difficult to find so I bit the bullet and paid the extra money.

The renovation at the War Memorial provided more restrooms and there was never an issue with lines at any point.

Return on Investment    4

Tickets are priced right and are divided into three different levels based upon seating. Keep in mind, there is a two-dollar savings to the prices below for all weekday games with the exception of games held on a holiday. Lower bowl seats are $18, upper bowl seats are $16 and end seats are $12.

I like to face the benches and sat in section 206. Remember, because of those darn aisle railings every few rows, your sightlines will be impaired unless you sit in the middle of the row. It doesn't matter in what side sections you sit, you will have this issue. End seats do not have this issue.

More often than not these days, teams are ditching the traditional game program in favor of the cheaper roster card and player poster. For $2, you get the roster card and player poster. Nothing special, but it gets you updates on the recent roster moves and statistics.

Extras    1

No matter whom I came in contact with during the game, each arena employee and team official was friendly and conversational. It was clear they wanted to make every guest welcomed at the game.