30 Plus Seasons in 30 Days

[ExiledInIllinois]

Well I can't say for 100 % sure but something they did around then was to introduce the standing room only tickets. I only ever had them up in the oranges where they let you stand around the the corners and sides along the edge walls from the expansion when they raised the roof. The first time Playoffs and sell outs were the spawn of that brain child. They used to let them stand several deep and that certainly could account for a good several hundred extra tickets as a recall. Or don't recall..

 

 

Not Sabres related... I am not sure they still do it at HSBC... But, in football don't they have SRO in places like the The Razor in Foxboro and Heinz Field in Pitt?

[Taro T]

Well I can't say for 100 % sure but something they did around then was to introduce the standing room only tickets. I only ever had them up in the oranges where they let you stand around the the corners and sides along the edge walls from the expansion when they raised the roof. The first time Playoffs and sell outs were the spawn of that brain child. They used to let them stand several deep and that certainly could account for a good several hundred extra tickets as a recall. Or don't recall..

As mentioned earlier, they increased a sellout during the '72-'73 season from 15,516 up to 15,668. SRO was around well before 75-'76.

 

SRO was also allowed behind the net behind the blues on the Scott St. side. Not sure when they started to allow SRO holders to stand there.

 

Not Sabres related... I am not sure they still do it at HSBC... But, in football don't they have SRO in places like the The Razor in Foxboro and Heinz Field in Pitt?

No SRO at the Mmarena. Heck, they don't even use all the seats they have. The seats located in front of handicapped access platforms are covered and no one is allowed to sit in them. Excellent design, the person in charge of the the construction should be proud.

 

Getting back to '75-'76, 'twas the 1st season I got to go to multiple games. I was there for THE Caps game and saw Dryden stop a penalty shot to preserve a Habs 4-2 win. EDIT: I also was at the 49, 49, 49, 50 game to end the regular season. For some reason I was thinking that was in '77. Ooops.

[Stoner]

I don't wanna see this thread die on the vine. Come on people.

 

75-76. Danny Gare scored on a hat trick at the Aud on the last day of the season to get to 50, while Rick Martin sat at 49.

 

The Sabres survived the insane best of three preliminary round against the Blues and goalie Ed Staniowski, who stood on his head. After losing Game 1 in St. Louis, the Sabres won two OT games at the Aud to advance.

 

Then they lost to the Islanders in six games in the quarterfinals. The series was tied at 2 at the Aud with OT looming in the final minute when Islander defenseman Bert Marshall, who rarely scored, "bounced" one in from the point. Joe Corvo anyone?

[Stoner]

Getting back to '75-'76, 'twas the 1st season I got to go to multiple games. I was there for THE Caps game and saw Dryden stop a penalty shot to preserve a Habs 4-2 win.

 

Do you have Budd Bailey's book? There's a photo of Robert picking up the puck on that penalty shot.

[mphs mike]

After another 100 point season, the Sabres are poised for playoff success, but due to scheduling conflicts at the Aud must begin the "preliminary" round on the road in St. Louis. The Blues shock Buffalo with an easy win. Goalie Eddie Stanowski, acts like Bernie Parent, and keeps the Blues in the series, although the Sabres prevail.

 

Next up, the Isles. The Sabres take a 2-0 lead in games, only to fall in 6. A crushing end to the season. I can't recall if it was game 5 or 6, but I was listening on the radio in my parents living room and still recall the disappointment of the Isles scoring the go ahead goal with seconds left in the third and, in my heart, knowing the season was over.

[R_Dudley]

After another 100 point season, the Sabres are poised for playoff success, but due to scheduling conflicts at the Aud must begin the "preliminary" round on the road in St. Louis. The Blues shock Buffalo with an easy win. Goalie Eddie Stanowski, acts like Bernie Parent, and keeps the Blues in the series, although the Sabres prevail.

 

Next up, the Isles. The Sabres take a 2-0 lead in games, only to fall in 6. A crushing end to the season. I can't recall if it was game 5 or 6, but I was listening on the radio in my parents living room and still recall the disappointment of the Isles scoring the go ahead goal with seconds left in the third and, in my heart, knowing the season was over.

 

Yikes memories that far back are hard to come by your post helped kindle that... Yes that was a very disappointing end to the season as once again we had a very talented team but fell short to a team that was on the way to their dynasty. I also remember this being the first time I was introduced to the antics of "Billy hack saw Smith", loved imitating that move on the pond ice when I got to play goalie...

[Stoner]

I can hear spndnchz yelling for me to start 76-77. No, really, I can hear her. My basement sex dungeon isn't nearly as soundproof as I had hoped.

 

October 9th, 19 hundred and seventy six. The year of our glorious nation's bicentennial. Detroit, Michigan. The Olympia. The Old Red Barn. Right there! Look at the little monkey skate.

 

I dunno where that was going.

 

Weirdly, the season opened the same as 75-76, a 4-0 game involving the Sabres and Wings, this time with the Wings on top. I have a feeling this season will end the same as 75-76 too.

 

I'm starting to wonder exactly what happened to Punch Imlach. He shrewdly built a contender in the first five seasons of the franchise. I'm not sure he had any answer for putting the team over the top. It's almost like he turned into Darcy Donothing. You talk about a lazy, underachieving frat pack that needed to be broken up. This team, like our current boys, had a lot of early success, then got very comfortable in their surroundings. The 70s Sabres always seemed to have excuses. Ran into a hot goalie. Injury at the wrong team. They were hungrier. They were a dynasty in the making. We weren't tough enough.

 

Not sure it made much of a difference anyway. I think the Canadiens lost no more than 45 games in the regular season -- over the course of their four straight Cup seasons from 76-79. But we beat them in 75. Why can't this Sabres franchise ever seal the deal?

[Taro T]

Do you have Budd Bailey's book? There's a photo of Robert picking up the puck on that penalty shot.

Nope, don't have it. That, "Counsel in the Crease", and "Relentless 2" are the 3 Buff-lo sports books I'd like to have but don't.

 

Was Robert picking up the puck after the penalty shot or after the goal he scored to tie the game at 2 in the 3rd?

[Stoner]

Nope, don't have it. That, "Counsel in the Crease", and "Relentless 2" are the 3 Buff-lo sports books I'd like to have but don't.

 

Was Robert picking up the puck after the penalty shot or after the goal he scored to tie the game at 2 in the 3rd?

 

He's "picking it up" at center to start his penalty shot.

[Taro T]

He's "picking it up" at center to start his penalty shot.

:doh:

OK. Gotcha.

[R_Dudley]

Okay this is the season we dated the girl from east Aurora whose Dad had season tickets in the Gold section two over from where Punch sat.. Problem is I only usally got the Sunday night games because he had to work on Monday, however I did get to see punch sitting there in his classic hat at one or two games over the next 2 years while I dated her, not that the tickets had anything to do w/that :rolleyes: ... The only other problem is drinking age was 18 back then for bars with yea old Erie county Sheriff cards and with some fake id this begin a very hazzy period of some wild and misspent youth..... There was hockey though it's just allot of fuzzy from here up to the eighties....

[Stoner]

Okay this is the season we dated the girl from east Aurora whose Dad had season tickets in the Gold section two over from where Punch sat.. Problem is I only usally got the Sunday night games because he had to work on Monday, however I did get to see punch sitting there in his classic hat at one or two

 

You and Duds Jr.?

 

Blizzard of '77. Sabres manage to get most of a team to Montreal for an impressive tie with the Mighty Habs. Ted Darling calls the game from home.

 

Gerry Desjardins gets hurt, so Punch Imlach calls up Don Edwards. Backup Al Smith skates off and quits the team after pregame warmups, telling the Sabres to go fall on their sword. It's the birth of Edwards-Sauve.

 

Another playoff loss to the Islanders in the QF round. Starting to get very repetitive.

 

77-78 started on October 13, 1977. The Sabres beat those Islanders at the Aud, 3-2.

[Neo]

April 1971 - I attend my first Sabres game with my Cub Scout group. The Sabres are playing the Blues and, in the 3d period, Bert scores, breaking the record for most goals by a rookie. He ends the season with 38, a record which will last one year.

 

Maybe when we move on to 71-72 we'll find out who breaks it!

 

 

I was nine years old. I first saw a hockey game earlier that year on television. I became a fanatic, like we all did. I listened to the record breaking goal on a radio in our apartment on the second floor of a two story home in Blasdell. I remembered the goal as being against Orland Kurtenbach and Vancouver, but it was a long time ago. I had a cassette player/radio, very fashionable for the times and was recording the games with mini microphones. I've lost the tape, but I can hear the call, word by word .... " Perreault in the corner ... (pause) DRIVE on the short side HE SCORES, GIL PERREAULT ... what a shot he made, he just let that drive go .... "

[Neo]

that can't possibly be right... can it?

 

 

It's not. I know only that OJ Simpson was Buffalo's first $1 million dollare athlete, and that was circa 1974. Hockey trailed considerably in terms of salaries.

[Stoner]

I was nine years old. I first saw a hockey game earlier that year on television. I became a fanatic, like we all did. I listened to the record breaking goal on a radio in our apartment on the second floor of a two story home in Blasdell. I remembered the goal as being against Orland Kurtenbach and Vancouver, but it was a long time ago. I had a cassette player/radio, very fashionable for the times and was recording the games with mini microphones. I've lost the tape, but I can hear the call, word by word .... " Perreault in the corner ... (pause) DRIVE on the short side HE SCORES, GIL PERREAULT ... what a shot he made, he just let that drive go .... "

 

Was that Rick's call? I would kill to hear more of his very early stuff. I don't know where I read it, but Rick said his wife, Cupcake, has recorded all of his games over the years. I pray God that ends up in the right hands after they are gone. What a treasure trove.

[Neo]

I am glad that we're keeping 74-75 open for a while. Was anyone at the Niagara Falls airport when the Sabres returned after eliminating the Canadiens? Was anyone at the fog game?

 

Here's a cool clip of Robert's OT goal in the fog, from above. No fog visible. A rare look. 1:15 mark

 

 

I was 13 years old. I went to Niagara Falls Airport with my Grandmother and my Aunt. Grandmother and Aunt ... that describes how crazy the city was. We waited outside behind a ropes for the team and cheered and chanted when the arrived. They seemed almost dumbfounded by the enthusiasm ... almost couldn't believe.

 

We showed up at the Aud during the playoffs to watch a practice. How naive. Imagine showing up at an arena to watch a pro sports team practice in the playoffs today. We were told the practice was closed because it was the playoffs. We walked back to our car and I noticed a Rolls Royce parked looking over the lake. I'd read that Brian Spencer owned a Rolls Royce. We approached the car and he was sitting there, door open, half in and half out of his car, looking at the lake. He asked a million questions about Great Lakes shipping and its history. I was a 13 year old student, so I knew all the answers. He asked us to come with him, and brought us to the Aud. He told security we were with him. My grandmother, aunt and I watched a closed practice during the playoffs. The only other people in the arena were yelling back in forth to Jocelyn Guevremont (sp?). I believe they were family. I remember Korab yelling at Perreault throughout - "come on, SUPERSTAR, come ON"! Gary Bromley was teased, poked, tripped without mercy.

[Neo]

What a great story. I never knew this before tonight. I love this thread, it's some good cheeze.

 

 

Taro Tsusimoto ... from the TOKYO KATANAS, I believe ... (Japanese for SWORDS) ....

 

It took the league months to figure out it was fiction.

 

This lead, of course, to years of "Taro Says" signs in the old Aud ...

 

I know we all sound more and more like our dads as we age, but ... those really WERE the good, old, days ...

[Neo]

Was that Rick's call? I would kill to hear more of his very early stuff. I don't know where I read it, but Rick said his wife, Cupcake, has recorded all of his games over the years. I pray God that ends up in the right hands after they are gone. What a treasure trove.

 

 

Ted Darling ...

[Stoner]

Bump.

 

Sorry spndnchz, this seems to be petering out.

[nobody]

Bump.

 

Sorry spndnchz, this seems to be petering out.

 

 

Everyone must be starting to think about the 80s and no one wants to think about the 80s.

[Eleven]

I don't wanna see this thread die on the vine. Come on people.

 

 

It will grow as we get to seasons that are more recent. Not everyone on the board remembers 1976 so vividly. (Resisting age-based crack here; really, really resisting.)

 

By 1976, I had gone to a game or two, but my memories are going to start in '78 or '79.

 

I will say this about 1977: Don Luce made my freaking day when, as a five-year-old, I approached him with a McDonald's napkin (my family always went to McDonald's for after-Mass Sunday breakfast in those beautiful, simple days!) and asked for his autograph. My father encouraged me for what seemed like an eternity, before I finally got up and wandered over, without my father, to Luce's table. Of course, Luce signed the napkin; athletes weren't in those days (and Luce never was), and he probably got a kick out of having some shy little kid walk up to him with a napkin and a ballpoint. I actually got the chance to thank him in 2005, over a beer. He either really enjoyed the story or was very good at acting gracious. Perhaps a bit of both.

[Eleven]

Well, I'm moving this forward to 1978-79. And speaking of forwards, it was the last season in a Sabres uniform for a good forward, Rene Robert (but more on that next season; he was traded just before it started). The Sabs had a weak year offensively; no player had more than 85 points (Perreault) or 27 goals (Perreault and Gare). Still, the goaltending tandem of Edwards and Sauve came together (i.e., the GP split began to approach even), and a young Tony McKegney, perhaps sporting a newfangled Sony Walkman, and fresh from his escape from Jonestown, made his NHL debut. The Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Iran, which foreshadowed the Sabres' loss to the Penguins, in three games, in the preliminary round. (Fine, Khomeini never played a game in the NHL, but you just knew that the f&cker was rooting against the Sabres. You could feel it.)

 

Sports were boring for the most part, and familiar dynasties continued: During the '78-'79 NHL season, the Yankees, Steelers, and Canadiens all won titles in their respective sports. The SuperSonics won an NBA title in 1979, but, well, it's the NBA, and no one cared. Even in Seattle. Actually, I'm not sure that Washington was a state back then.

 

'78-'79 was the first year that I really can say I was a big, big Sabres fan. I was seven, in my mind officially a hockey fan and a Buffalonian, and the concept of a team identity meant something to me. The names of even somewhat marginal players like Richie Dunn and Gary McAdam were familiar to me. And, even at that young age, I wondered why Guevremont had a woman's first name. (8 PIM in 34 GP, it turns out. Should have known. DeLuca would say that he would fit in well with the team today.)

 

I had a General Electric transistor radio, with an earplug (aka earphone, but not "headphones"; this only went in one ear), from Christmas '77, courtesy of my aunt. By the start of the following season in '78, I had become fully accustomed to sneaking it into bed on Sabres game nights and listening to RJ on the radio. My mother had become fully accustomed to scolding me for this, but by midseason, we had developed a don't ask - don't tell policy with respect to hockey radio sneakiness. I still remember wondering why the Bruins had a player named "Dork," because that's how Ray Bourque's name sounded to me through the crappy earphone when I was a sleepy little guy, but that has to be at least one season later.

[Stoner]

That was a good read Eleven.

 

Of course this was the season the Knoxes pulled the plug on Punch and Marcel Pronovost. I remember the Sabres perking up after the acquisition of Dave Schultz and signing of Rick Dudley. But the most vivid memory for me was George Ferguson scoring in overtime in that deciding third game at the Aud in the preliminary round against the Pens. I missed the next day at school with a touch of Premature Kasparaitis. And, Taro, I KNOW this was an afternoon game, because dinner was ready when the game ended, and I went upstairs and stalled for a while until my eyes weren't red anymore. That was the last time I cried for the Sabres. Age 12, the end of innocence, seems about right.

 

Anyone have some memories of Team Turmoil and the Monday Morning Massacre?

[mphs mike]

That was a good read Eleven.

 

Of course this was the season the Knoxes pulled the plug on Punch and Marcel Pronovost. I remember the Sabres perking up after the acquisition of Dave Schultz and signing of Rick Dudley. But the most vivid memory for me was George Ferguson scoring in overtime in that deciding third game at the Aud in the preliminary round against the Pens. I missed the next day at school with a touch of Premature Kasparaitis. And, Taro, I KNOW this was an afternoon game, because dinner was ready when the game ended, and I went upstairs and stalled for a while until my eyes weren't red anymore. That was the last time I cried for the Sabres. Age 12, the end of innocence, seems about right.

 

Anyone have some memories of Team Turmoil and the Monday Morning Massacre?

 

 

 

I vividly recall that the Pens scored before the ice had fully dried for the OT to send me home on the Main street bus line for dinner.

[Mbossy]

I was 13 years old. I went to Niagara Falls Airport with my Grandmother and my Aunt. Grandmother and Aunt ... that describes how crazy the city was. We waited outside behind a ropes for the team and cheered and chanted when the arrived. They seemed almost dumbfounded by the enthusiasm ... almost couldn't believe.

 

We showed up at the Aud during the playoffs to watch a practice. How naive. Imagine showing up at an arena to watch a pro sports team practice in the playoffs today. We were told the practice was closed because it was the playoffs. We walked back to our car and I noticed a Rolls Royce parked looking over the lake. I'd read that Brian Spencer owned a Rolls Royce. We approached the car and he was sitting there, door open, half in and half out of his car, looking at the lake. He asked a million questions about Great Lakes shipping and its history. I was a 13 year old student, so I knew all the answers. He asked us to come with him, and brought us to the Aud. He told security we were with him. My grandmother, aunt and I watched a closed practice during the playoffs. The only other people in the arena were yelling back in forth to Jocelyn Guevremont (sp?). I believe they were family. I remember Korab yelling at Perreault throughout - "come on, SUPERSTAR, come ON"! Gary Bromley was teased, poked, tripped without mercy.

 

Good stuff. Not just the hockey memories but the "I remember that year I" stuff is golden.