"The Panthers have played exhibition games in some strange locales over the past few years, but the site of Thursday's preseason contest actually makes a lot of sense. It's a wonder why the team hasn't visited before. The Panthers will play host to the Boston Bruins on Thursday night at Rochester's War Memorial -- home to Florida's American Hockey League team, the Americans. The Americans logo has been freshly painted at center ice, but at least on Thursday, the arena belongs to the NHL teams. Rochester's training camp kicks off Saturday. ``They are our farm team, and I think it's important they get to see our big players,'' Panthers coach Pete DeBoer said. ``The fans here know, we used our farm team players an awful lot last year. They had a lot of NHL-caliber players last year and I think that's going to be the case again this year.'' The Panthers are bringing some goodwill with them on this trip as the team appears ready to patch things up with the storied AHL franchise. The Amerks were the affiliate of the nearby Buffalo Sabres for 29 years before the two broke up in 2008 because of finances. The Panthers have been the lone parent team ever since -- and there have been rumblings that this might be the last season the two are together. It will be decided in November whether the two teams continue their partnership. Newly signed enforcer Andrew Peters is one who hopes the Panthers and Amerks keep working together. Recent reports seem to indicate there has been a thaw and the affiliation will continue. Peters, who will likely start this upcoming season with the Amerks, played parts of three seasons in Rochester while part of the Buffalo organization. His wife is from the Buffalo area, and he owns a home nearby. One reason Peters signed with Florida was the distinct possibility of playing in the minors after the Devils bought out his contract during the summer. ``There's no better place to play in the minors than Rochester,'' Peters said. ``The fans here are great. The facility and practice facility are first-class. . . . One of the reasons I signed with Florida was because if I had to go to the minors, it was the best worst-case scenario out there.''" http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/09/23/1838003/panthers-to-play-first-game-in.html
