http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/sabre ... 696670.ece

I haven't been to a game in Buffalo in years. For those that have been to a game this year, what's your thoughts on this? Especially in regards to the game production that Leino mentions...

I think that it's the audience's fault, not the players. sure, more goals and more wins hava a positive effect on the atmosphere, but it's the duty of fans to make some noise, especially when the team plays shit or has other troubles. I've noticed that most of the Buffalonian Fans don't know how big their influence on a game is or would be.

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I've been to two games, and I sat in two different sections for it.

First game I went to was the Columbus game, where I sat in the 200 level. Mind you, I was given these tickets by a neighbor of mine. I don't think I've ever wanted to kill myself more at a hockey game than I did that night. It's filled with prissy pants older people who think they're privelaged enough to not only watch the Sabres, but think they know the slightest about hockey, when really, they're only there simply because they can afford their seats. They're not loud, and they don't cheer. They complain. The entire time. They just fucking complain. Absolutely the most unenjoyable hockey game I've ever been to simply because all the people around me were fucking bitching. The worst part is that the Sabres actually won the game. I don't think I'd be typing this right now if the Sabres lost that game.

2nd game I went to was the Philadelphia game. This time I sat in the seats I paid for ($20 thanks to the Student Surge program). I loved this game. Yeah, we lost, but people actually gave a fuck. At the same time, there were certain things that pissed me off. In the section next to us, and entire row was trying to start the wave, which I was all for. Every time they'd start it, it would start off well, but eventually it would die, because nobody was paying enough attention to it going on. Of course, the team was in its downward spiral at the time, so perhaps people just weren't in the mood.

If anyone knows who Katebits is on Twitter, she was tweeting about this issue today, saying that she was insulted that fans are being called out in the arena, and that as a STH, she shouldn't have to be told how to root for her team, which is fine. But really? Why is she taking it so personally? Like it pissed me off that this pissed her off, because she probably is cheering. But to say that it isn't a problem is like looking at an overcast sky and saying it's a sunny day outside. It's clearly a problem. Toronto fans and Montreal fans have no problem getting loud in their arenas, win or lose. I love the atmosphere of any games they play in, especially when they come to Buffalo or host the Sabres. It's actually fun to watch, and it's probably because the teams feed off the energy from the electrified crowd. It's awesome.

All in all, this really needs to change, or else people like Katebits are gonna get more pissed off that they're being called out, which again, maybe she's not to blame, but at the same time, why get so offended by it?

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

The arena's been quiet when I've been there, and every time I tried to cheer, people looked at me like I had a dick growing out of my forehead.

We'll cheer when the players care.

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what? and when will you support? a hockey arena isn't an Opera.

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Obviously if the team played better, especially at home, that would help but I've heard it's always like that. I've also heard that there are some issues with the design that actually mutes some of the acoustics but I blame the production staff. They are the ones that need to find ways to fire the fans up. I know some reports have just hammered some of the lame song choices played during intermissions and breaks in play.

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What the hell do you mean when will I support? I pay real, hard-earned money to GO TO THE GAMES.

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sabresindc - the music does kinda suck, and during breaks in play, the production staff is kind of handcuffed with the number of replays they can show on the jumbotron (unless you count how many hits we TAKE or how many passes MISS or how many GIVEAWAYS we have)...

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support the team with your voice. wake the bunch of pussies up. chanting, screaming, whatever

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I'm assuming you haven't made the trek to a game yet (idk if you were able to make the games in Europe)....the team doesn't respond. Like, at all.

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Good points. I think our economics have something to do with this here in Buffalo.

One of the problems is that here in Buffalo, the middle class hockey fan has been somewhat priced out of the games. The people that hold SST's are often those that can afford to do so; and they are not often real hockey fans. They are often more about status; "being able to afford it." Any of us get to a game, and we are excited; which does not meet with approval from many of these people. As mentioned; they often frown upon us showing some enthusiasm.

If the fans and players start to see good reasons to expect more than we've been getting the past six season's, then the intensity will pick up in general. The "status quot" just isn't cutting it with most of the people here any more. The ball is in Terry Pegula's court. A second half push to the playoffs will excite some of the fan base. Hope through change will work for others....

And one suggestion; based on my trips to Pittsburgh; Ice Girl's. Even if the team sucks on a given night, there's still something to cheer about...

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

Yes, if we just clapped a little more we probably would be number 1 in the East right now.

Move this team outta Buffalo so they can finally have a chance at being successful.

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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

thanks for your sarcasm. you don't have any clue about how to support a team to do better.

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When the players pay to play; and the fans are paid to come to the games, it becomes the obligation of the fans to cheer.

Until that occurs; the onus is on the players to act like professionals, and perform.

No one cheers us at work; yet we are still expected to perform at our best. Last time I looked, my check didn't reflect a seven figure salary either...

Buffalo fans cheer effort; always have. We're damn good at spotting players, and a team dogging it. Of course we've had several years to get good at it..

For the last five years this team hasn't tried any harder when the crowd is cheering as opposed to sitting on their hands. It's simple cause and effect.

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

I think it's more fun to stand up and sing and clap instead of sitting and just watching the game. and as the audience can make the difference in close games or wake up your team, it's even better.

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You omitted to quote the last part of my post.

Changes the meaning quite a bit. No more selective omissions please; it just isn't right to do that.

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

Yhoshi, by all means. Come to the US and change our culture.

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

at least a sector with about 2000 seats - ca. 25 dollars per ticket - available about 2 weeks before the gameday ? certainly no seasonticketholders.
it's important that as many people as possible are able to visit games.
is there a limit for the number of seasonticketholders? 15 000, for instance. how many do the Sabres have?


I know that the fan culture is a different one over there, but come on.......... a tiny change for the sabres

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May I offer another perspective?

Manners. Buffalo is a Midwest city, and Midwesterners are known for common sense & manners. The old farts have better manners than the younger fans because it was drilled into them. Plus, they don't want to spoil anyone else's fun by obstructing their view or being obnoxious. They have experienced the obnoxiousness themselves and are too polite to inflict it upon others. They paid good money for those seats; so did the folks around them. Why ruin it for others?

The flip side of this is the rowdy obnoxious people. Yeah, they're having a good time, whooping it up in the stands, yelling & standing & cheering. I am 5'4" tall. Once these folks start standing up I'm screwed. I can't see over them at all. This makes me angry & frustrated. I'll cheer as much as the next guy, but SITTING DOWN!!!

So following all this logically, the old farts shouldn't go because they aren't rowdy enough. Folks like me, who don't like to stand, shouldn't go because we complain about not seeing. Therefore the FNC fills up (or not) with the Big Rowdies. This sounds like Philadelphia to me...AND WE AREN'T PHILADELPHIA-TYPE FANS.

Yeah, I'm in a pissy mood and this will get torn apart, but so what. Buffalonians are polite, friendly people. This is reflected in the amount of noise we make at the game. Its just the way we are. I don't love the Sabres any less than the giant standing in front of me, I just show it differently. We are just nice people.

for that reason we have special areas in arenas or stadiums for fans who want to stand and go wild (!?!?). in general the unattractive sectors. for instance behind the goals and the higher levels.

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