'Roughly 10 percent of that critical season ticket base was lost before the 2001-02 season started. Coupled with a condensed schedule due to the NHL's Olympic participation (remember there were nine home games in October, approximately 25 percent of all home dates) and a horrible start on the ice, selling tickets became even more of a challenge. Attendance dipped, revenue will be impacted and there are no playoff games to make it up.'
Sports' cyclical nature catches Sabres, Bills
Source: Business First of Buffalo