BLUE CROSS ARENA

54897-B, R-59

Rochester Royals (NBA) (1955–1957) Rochester Americans (AHL) (1956–present) Rochester Knighthawks (NLL) (1995–present) Rochester Brigade (af2) (2001–2003) Rochester Razorsharks (PBL) (2005–present) Rochester Raiders (IFL) (2008–2009)

The Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial (usually shortened to the Blue Cross Arena) is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Rochester, New York. It is home to the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League, the Rochester Razorsharks of the Premier Basketball League, and the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League.

The arena opened on October 18, 1955, as the Rochester Community War Memorial. It was renovated in the mid-1990s and reopened as The Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial on September 18, 1998. Its maximum seating capacity is 12,428. For hockey and lacrosse, its seating capacity is 11,215.

Aside from the Rochester Americans, who play their home games in the arena, the Blue Cross Arena has played host to several notable ice hockey events and games. On November 12, 2003, the Buffalo Sabres and the defending Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils played the first National Hockey League regular season game in the venue. The game was made possible by Sabres owner Tom Golisano, who hails from Rochester, and featured two Rochester natives: Brian Gionta of the Devils and Rory Fitzpatrick of the Sabres. It ended in a 2–2 tie. A second regular season game was held at the arena on October 26, 2005, with the Sabres falling to the Washington Capitals, 3–2. With the Sabres' recent success, high demand for tickets at Buffalo's HSBC Arena and the Rochester Americans no longer having an affiliation with the Sabres it is unlikely that there will be a regular season NHL game played in Rochester at any point in the future.

Unused 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" standard size chrome postcard.

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