Connecticut Coasters Explained
The Connecticut Coasters were a Roller Hockey International franchise based in New Haven, Connecticut, that played only in the 1993 season before moving to California and becoming the Sacramento River Rats.
Their team colors were teal, purple, and silver. They played at New Haven Memorial Coliseum[1] under the joint ownership of the league and arena.[2]
The Coasters finished 3rd in their division and 7th in the league with a 7-5-2 record, and faced the Anaheim Bullfrogs in the first round of the playoffs, a team that finished with the league's best record and went on to win the inaugural Murphy Cup.[3] Despite four goals from Brian Horan, the Coasters lost the one-game playoff by a score of 15-8 to the Bullfrogs; Goalie Neil Walsh kept the Coasters in the game, despite being outshot by a 28-15 margin.[4]
Season record
Year GP W L OTL PTS PCT GF GA PIM
1993 14 7 5 2 16 .571 124 112 332[5]
Moving to Sacramento
In 1994, the Connecticut Coasters moved to Sacramento, California and became the Sacramento River Rats.
Notes and References
- Cavanaugh, Jack. "Roller Hockey Glides Into Sports Arenas", The New York Times, August 1, 1993. Accessed January 26, 2017. "When T. J. Schatz went to the offices of the Connecticut Coasters last month, his hope was to sell T-shirts to the new roller hockey club at the New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum."
- Bernardi, Heather; and Tennyson, Kevin. Hockey in New Haven, p. 100. Arcadia Publishing, 2007. . Accessed January 26, 2017.
- Itagaki, Michael. "Bullfrogs Leap Into Playoffs : Roller hockey: Team that plays at Anaheim Arena faces Connecticut tonight in first round of league's first postseason.", Los Angeles Times, August 24, 1993. Accessed January 26, 2017. "A large crowd is expected tonight at the Anaheim Arena for the Bullfrogs' first-round Roller Hockey International playoff game against the Connecticut Coasters.... The Bullfrogs earned home-floor advantage throughout the playoffs after compiling a league-best 13-0-1 record."
- Itagaki, Michael. "Bullfrogs Roll to 15-8 Victory in Playoff Opener", Los Angeles Times, August 25, 1993. Accessed January 27, 2016. "After physically battering Connecticut for a half, the Bullfrogs assaulted the nets, scoring six third-quarter goals to break open a close game and cruise to a 15-8 victory Tuesday night in the first round of the Roller Hockey International playoffs.... The Bullfrogs' offense, which outshot the Coasters, 28-15, in the first half, was kept under wraps by Connecticut goalie Neil Walsh, who made some outstanding saves to keep the Coasters close. Brian Horan led the Coasters (7-6-2) scoring four goals."
- http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/connecticut-coasters-5336.html California Coasters
