Wake up FN Center!!!!

[Sabres Fan in NS]

The last game I went to that I would describe as rowdy was against the Bruins on March 17th, 1997. I was 10. It was St. Patty's weekend and everyone was schwasted. Rob Ray fought EVERYONE that night.

 

Yikes. You're just a young pup, eh?

 

From your posts I would have guessed you were older, as wisdom usually comes with age, but not always. :thumbsup:

[Realist]

I miss the days in the late 80's with the playoff games against the Bruins. Talk about electricity at the Aud.

[Eleven]

The last game I went to that I would describe as rowdy was against the Bruins on March 17th, 1997. I was 10. It was St. Patty's weekend and everyone was schwasted. Rob Ray fought EVERYONE that night.

 

We may have different definitions of "rowdy."

 

The last time I feared for my safety was a playoff game against Filly in 2006. The last time I thought the crowd was "rowdy" was the quasi-playoff game against Filly last March. The last time I saw energy was New Year's Eve (and before that, the two games that bracketed Thanksgiving).

[Scotty]

I was at the New Year's Eve game and there was energy. It was a much better experience then the Detriot game I went to earlier this year. But I agree I do see people stay seated during goals and that is depressing, plus I HATE the, "Here We Go! We suck, This guy sucks that guy sucks" guy. I wish that guy would find some other place to go because he destroys the environment in the Center.

[sjb012]

I'm a season ticket holder with the Sabres.I live in Maryland now and maintain my season tickets. I see the Sabres at two venues each year (usually), Washington and Buffalo. Our crowd, for a lot of years now has been a joke. I'm not saying AT ALL that the Washington fan is a better fan than the typical Buffalo fan. There is no knowledge of the game down here in a typical fan (I've asked so called fans to name 5 players on their squad and they can't). However, I am truly disappointed and embarrased when I'm home. Every single game I've gone to, in Buffalo, since I became a season ticket holder in 06, the person I've been with, or myself have mentioned something to the extent of "What is going on in here? Place is funeral home."

 

Some things that may help that the Sabres can do:

 

1. Public Address Announcer: I freakin hate this guy. He should be a bingo hall number caller not a hockey arena announcer. I cringe every time Jochen Hecht or Thomas Vanek scores at home because I know the announcer is getting ready to rip off their names in the most annoying, ridiculous way possible. Plus, PUMP US UP EVERY SO OFTEN!!!!!!!

 

2. Put some crowd games up on the Tron: Have the zambonis race around the rink and tell sections they have to be loud to win. JUST GET PEOPLE UP!

 

Things us the fans can do:

 

1. Realize you're at a hockey game, not the public library.

[Iron Crotch]

I agree with SJB above. I have a bit of a unique perspective since I'm a partial season ticket holder for the Predators but fly home to Buffalo for several games per year. The two arenas are like night and day. Much louder and much more energy for an average home game in Nashville compared to Buffalo. Whereas I'd say the fans in Buffalo have more knowledge about the subleties of the game (the hockey code, player positioning, etc.), the fans in Nashville bring a raw excitement and energy level that is just missing in Buffalo. My take is that two things really drive this difference.

1) there is virtually no in-game marketing done in Buffalo. As the Buffalo News article pointed out, Buffalo is about the only market these days that does nothing to add to the fan experience above-and-beyond the game itself. People on this board say we don't need those "gimmicks" here in Buffalo, but given that it is the quietest building in the league, I would argue that we do need to spruce up the fan experience (especially if the product on the ice is poor).

2) I know this is not a popular opinion, but I get the sense that in general Buffalonians are a little more reserved (less self-aggrandizing, less likely to stand up and draw attention to themselves, etc.) than those in other cities. I think maybe some of that comes from the weather and the depressed economic condition of the community, but having lived all over the country I just get the sense that there is a little bit different natural energy level in Buffalo versus other (bigger) cities. So if the natural state of many fans is to be more reserved, then I think it makes the in-game marketing all the more important. There are absolutely things the team's marketing staff can do to help draw fans out of their shells.

[james duncan]

Was a time when we had the classiest, no-nonsense PA announcer (may he rest in peace) in the league and the crowd fed off of great hockey to get loud rather than gimmicks. When the team consistently hits, shoots, scores, hustles and stop pucks, the crowd will follow. Let's look at the positive--the fact that the place is generally at or near capacity each game is the first and most difficult step in getting there.

[apuszczalowski]

Winning, and not blowing big leads will do wonders.

 

Fans just seem to be getting tired of the same old players underachieving, and the team not giving them much to cheer about. I can say from the couple games I went to this year that the atmosphere is pretty dead until they score, and then its sort a lull because the fans know that they are probably going to do something to lose that lead.

 

Was a time when we had the classiest, no-nonsense PA announcer (may he rest in peace) in the league and the crowd fed off of great hockey to get loud rather than gimmicks. When the team consistently hits, shoots, scores, hustles and stop pucks, the crowd will follow. Let's look at the positive--the fact that the place is generally at or near capacity each game is the first and most difficult step in getting there.

The crowd is still loud when they score (except when they are being blown out and the game is pretty much over) and the occasional big hit they lay out. This team just hasn't given the fans anything to cheer about this season

[Realist]

Winning, and not blowing big leads will do wonders.

 

Fans just seem to be getting tired of the same old players underachieving, and the team not giving them much to cheer about. I can say from the couple games I went to this year that the atmosphere is pretty dead until they score, and then its sort a lull because the fans know that they are probably going to do something to lose that lead.

 

The crowd is still loud when they score (except when they are being blown out and the game is pretty much over) and the occasional big hit they lay out. This team just hasn't given the fans anything to cheer about this season

 

apusz says it all. It's very difficult to get excited when you just know they are going to blow the lead. I watch the games at home and don't even get excited anymore when they score. We're all so apprehensive wondering just when they are going to blow it. I mean a three goal lead that one game and I just knew somehow they were going to lose the game.

[darksabre]

Yikes. You're just a young pup, eh?

 

From your posts I would have guessed you were older, as wisdom usually comes with age, but not always. :thumbsup:

 

I appreciate that, thank you. :beer:

 

We may have different definitions of "rowdy."

 

The last time I feared for my safety was a playoff game against Filly in 2006. The last time I thought the crowd was "rowdy" was the quasi-playoff game against Filly last March. The last time I saw energy was New Year's Eve (and before that, the two games that bracketed Thanksgiving).

 

I guess the question is, which of those types do you prefer? Personally, I like door number 1. :pirate:

[...]

I disagree with the entire premise of this thread. Of course, people who have been around a few years know that once in a while I will go on a small tirade about this topic.

 

It's pretty simple; give the fans something to cheer about and the F'N Arena will F'N rock.

[Oakstream]

I'm a season ticket holder with the Sabres.I live in Maryland now and maintain my season tickets. I see the Sabres at two venues each year (usually), Washington and Buffalo. Our crowd, for a lot of years now has been a joke. I'm not saying AT ALL that the Washington fan is a better fan than the typical Buffalo fan. There is no knowledge of the game down here in a typical fan (I've asked so called fans to name 5 players on their squad and they can't). However, I am truly disappointed and embarrased when I'm home. Every single game I've gone to, in Buffalo, since I became a season ticket holder in 06, the person I've been with, or myself have mentioned something to the extent of "What is going on in here? Place is funeral home."

 

Some things that may help that the Sabres can do:

 

1. Public Address Announcer: I freakin hate this guy. He should be a bingo hall number caller not a hockey arena announcer. I cringe every time Jochen Hecht or Thomas Vanek scores at home because I know the announcer is getting ready to rip off their names in the most annoying, ridiculous way possible. Plus, PUMP US UP EVERY SO OFTEN!!!!!!!

 

I agree, he blows.. Give us someone who doesn't sound like he's mocking Vanek or Hecht when they score. UGH!

[beerme1]

It's pretty simple; give the fans something to cheer about and the F'N Arena will F'N rock.

 

As Huey Lewis sings;

If this is it!!!

 

Really simply.

Come out hit someone finish a check or two and the crowd gets behind you guaranteed.

Saturday the crowd will cheer Myers being annnounced and the crowd and team will roll.

Sabres 5-2 over Wheeeenipeg. (lame attempt at Geico humor. I hate them p.s.)

[TheChimp]

What's the matter, Ville? Chet, Muffy, and the kiddies getting you down? Maybe FN should offer free brie and soda crackers for the first 5,000 fans to show up without their argyle sweaters draped over their weak shoulders. That might help.

 

I been saying this for years and all I ever get is crap. Finally someone worth somethin said it. Booya, ######. HSBC/First Viagra SUCKS. The fans of this "great hockey city" have absolutely forgotten what it's like to be hockey fans. Complacency rules in B-low. Family-friendly, my arse.