daz28 wrote:
Games were different at the Aud for sure. They ran a "sit down you're rocking the boat" campaign, and started 'family' seating. This has spread to the entire arena now, and it sucks. Political correctness has taken over, and isn't going anywhere. I used to get hammered at games, shout and swear like a sailor. That was the culture then. They wanted to change the culture to bring in more demographics. Problem is they changed the atmosphere. I know for a fact the smoke filled, testosterone charged atmosphere was better. I know a lot of people will disagree, but kids grow up different now. I grew up old school, hard knocks style. Sure, when I was first introduced to that culture, it was a shock, but I grew up, and became a man none the worse for it. Welcome to the hand sanitizer generation, people.
Oh hell yes they were! That was (at least in the 70's and 80's) a hella good atmosphere there! Everyone stood up when The Sabres scored. The crowd only whined when the referees made bad calls against us - and made those piercing, sharp whistling sounds. The organist was an expert at picking the right tune at the right time to get the crowd going - if he needed to at all.
It was an older crowd though. A good, solid working class crowd. The few kids that were there were old enough to not get freaked out about anything - though I don't remember much obscenity. If someone yelled something out, everyone heard it. "Hit em' with your your purse Gerry!!"
The changing demographics altered that. The more expensive seating changed who was going to the games. By the time I had kids, it became too expensive to go to most of the games anymore; let alone have seasons. Splitting seasons worked for a few years. The influx of less hockey sophisticated, higher income ticket buyers; who often took their kids, changed a lot of things at the games.
I miss those times greatly; but have to accept the times changing. Personally, I like the home games against Toronto and Montreal. Are their fans a bit rude? More like enthusiastic - though they can be obnoxious at times. The last home game against Toronto was the best time I've had at a game in years. Competing fans brought out the best in everyone.
In many arenas and stadiums around the world, the true fans are out in full force. Without that being the case here in Buffalo, it is what it is, and has been for some time.
The only way it's going to get louder is if Terry Pegula makes good on what he said he would; and by doing so awakens the fans. Genuine passion and excitement for The Sabres will leave the casual fans little choice but to become part of the atmosphere, or be the odd one's out in attendance.
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
Its just frustrating to have everything judged in black & white terms. Bitch about the folks who may be too polite to whoop it up, as if their noise would make all the difference. Haven't you ever been at a sporting event where a couple of drunken idiots decide to stand up? They block the folks right behind them, who stand up to see, who are then blocking others, etc... There is more going on than just fan noise. Hasn't Buffalo always been like this? We aren't lesser sports fans just because we are quieter. Are we? 
thanks for your sarcasm. you don't have any clue about how to support a team to do better.
I don't think we talking about the same topic....... what parties? a visit to a hockeygame is not a birthdayparty 
