Hockey Night in Alabama: Birmingham Bulls drawing big crowds

IMG 6450 Hockey Night in Alabama: Birmingham Bulls drawing big crowds
Birmingham Bulls in front of a near capacity crowd on December 28, 2018. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

In Canada, it is a tradition called Hockey Night in Canada, when each week everyone gathers around their televisions to watch hockey throughout the nation. In Alabama, the Birmingham Bulls have their own “Hockey Night”…. filling up the Pelham Civic Center on weekends.

2nd Season

Comparing last season’s inaugural Birmingham Bulls to its 2nd season is like night and day.  Last year, when Bham Now attended games, they were still working out the kinks and the team played like it was…. well,  their first year together.

Last night, you could see a big difference in the production of the game.  The video graphics are heart pounding.  The music, which is not too loud, fires up the crowd.  The intermission games on the ice are hilarious and fun. And of course everyone loves Toro the Bull’s mascot and the Bulls Babes.

Support from the community

Birmingham Bulls legendary managing partner Art Clarkson summed up the response the Bulls have been getting from the community.

“Hey, we’ve got a great show going.  We’ve had a great response from the community. Birmingham has been terrific. Everyone , Over the Mountain has been terrific. We are building a program,. Its only our 2nd year. We are doing good financially and its growing.

I would like to get some goals tonight!”

Better Team

Great hockey and winning does help. In its inaugural season the Bulls finished  a disappointing 9th place.  This season the Bulls roared out the gates with an 11 game  winning streak to start the season.  They are presently in 3rd place and will be contending for the SPHL championship this year.

Goooooal!!!  Unfortunately, for the wrong team.

Teamwork

Clarkson added. “You know its like anything else. It’s a team effort. Nobody is to blame.  If we lose, we lose as a team. If we win, we win as a team. No pointing fingers. We’ve got a great bunch of guys. It’s a long season. We know right now we are a playoff team. We are doing pretty good.

Main thing is to play good hockey, put out a good presentation… the crowd likes this!”

Here the crowd sing Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline.

Schedule and upcoming promotions

Resolve to see the Birmingham Bulls in 2019.

The Bulls go on a 21 day road trip beginning tonight in Pensacola. Their next game at the Pelham Civic Center Ice Arena is January 18th.

There are 16 home games, not including possible playoff games, left on the schedule.  Don’t miss all the action and fun.  Tickets are available – HERE

Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

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