Going back to the original part of the conversation, though. I still wonder who thought it was a good idea to make the feature rink only 1,800 to 2,000 seat capacity. That's what the Northtown Center is. What's the point?

UB football hasn't been good enough for a long enough period of time. One good season every once in a while isn't going to get people to grab on. You need years of constant winning. You need to build a winning tradition in order to get people to really catch on. The same goes for Niagara Hockey. They would essentially need to be a perennial Frozen Four contender, especially because they play in Niagara Falls, which is out of the way for a lot of people.
- buffalofan19

Boise State comes to mind.

The problem with everything in this area is how draining NYC is on the rest of the state. If you aren't in NYC you are a second rate NYS resident
- Stripes77

Ain't that the truth. If I am on vacation and I am asked where Im from and I say I'm from New York instead of saying Buffalo I am asked how I like living in NYC.

Even if people look at my ID out of state they ask how close I am to NYC.

I'm hoping with this new forward thinking regime that NYS has can "figure it out"

I think a major sports problem in this area is how draining the Bills have been. That trickles down to everywhere else sports wise.
- ImThatGuy

This regime really isn't that forward thinking. New York State has the worst (as in ranked #50 out of 50 states) tax structure in the country. Until they figure out how to change that, nothing is going to make a material difference, not even this billion dollar start-up incentive.

Ain't that the truth. If I am on vacation and I am asked where Im from and I say I'm from New York instead of saying Buffalo I am asked how I like living in NYC.

Even if people look at my ID out of state they ask how close I am to NYC.
- ImThatGuy

From living in Kentucky, Buffalo is the 6th Burrough

Boise State comes to mind.
- sbroads24

Yeah, but I wonder how long that is going to last now that Chris Peterson jumped ship to Washington.

Going back to the original part of the conversation, though. I still wonder who thought it was a good idea to make the feature rink only 1,800 to 2,000 seat capacity. That's what the Northtown Center is. What's the point?
- buffalofan19

The point is the Northtown Center is a dump. Canisius draws about 800 fans as it is so them playing in an arena that holds 4000 plus is a waste. The junior Sabres draw a couple hundred a game as well. This area will never be a major draw for amateur hockey. So there really isn't a need unless they decide to make a BIG time hockey program. Which even then will take years to gain the followers needed to fill a bigger arena

Yeah, but I wonder how long that is going to last now that Chris Peterson jumped ship to Washington.
- buffalofan19

IN 2-3 years well be an after thought, will be back to that team that has the blue turf.

Edit: Be intersting with Baylor when Art Briels takes the Texas Job

The point is the Northtown Center is a dump. Canisius draws about 800 fans as it is so them playing in an arena that holds 4000 plus is a waste. The junior Sabres draw a couple hundred a game as well. This area will never be a major draw for amateur hockey. So there really isn't a need unless they decide to make a BIG time hockey program. Which even then will take years to gain the followers needed to fill a bigger arena
- Stripes77

Perhaps, but if the goal is to at least try to draw more amateur hockey here, even if it is delusional, you would think they'd aim a little higher. They've handcuffed themselves from the start.

Perhaps, but if the goal is to at least try to draw more amateur hockey here, even if it is delusional, you would think they'd aim a little higher. They've handcuffed themselves from the start.
- buffalofan19

It's a little different when its a multi sheet place attached to an arena that hold 18,000. If they do get those BIG time tournaments they will play at the FNC. Why waste money (and space). The plans are to have the ice in at the FNC all year in 2015 after the hotel is completed and try to draw some big name teams. Teams like Little Caesers etc

It's a little different when its a multi sheet place attached to an arena that hold 18,000. If they do get those BIG time tournaments they will play at the FNC. Why waste money (and space). The plans are to have the ice in at the FNC all year in 2015 after the hotel is completed and try to draw some big name teams. Teams like Little Caesers etc
- Stripes77

Do any of those tournaments hold anywhere close to 18,000 though? Do they draw much more than 5?

You could be right, but the one excuse UB has constantly made, for example, is that there's just not a rink big enough for them to play in. They Northtown Center couldn't work for whatever reason, and they didn't want to play at Buff State (probably because Canisius already does). Granted, even if a bigger rink was built, the foot of the FNC probably isn't the best place to put it.

Do any of those tournaments hold anywhere close to 18,000 though? Do they draw much more than 5?

You could be right, but the one excuse UB has constantly made, for example, is that there's just not a rink big enough for them to play in. They Northtown Center couldn't work for whatever reason, and they didn't want to play at Buff State (probably because Canisius already does). Granted, even if a bigger rink was built, the foot of the FNC probably isn't the best place to put it.
- buffalofan19

There could be a few big time youth hockey tournament teams that could get 4-5 thousand people mostly from out of towners. But I think a 2000 seat arena will be more than plenty for most of what they have planned here.

The arena used to open up for when Canisius and Niagara hosted two big time schools in a mini tournament and that only drew a few hundred fans. But the fact that is the Harbor Center is going to be run first class all the way and be a much better overall site than the Northtown Center.

If a school wanted to make a bigger arena look at Niagara for doing it first. My guess is they would blow out the wall behind the benches and build that way. They draw pretty well there adding another 1000-1500 seats wouldn't be a bad idea

How do I post a picture on here from my phone? Found something funny you all might enjoy.

Might be late but just saw Pysyk and Larsson recalled.

There could be a few big time youth hockey tournament teams that could get 4-5 thousand people mostly from out of towners. But I think a 2000 seat arena will be more than plenty for most of what they have planned here.

The arena used to open up for when Canisius and Niagara hosted two big time schools in a mini tournament and that only drew a few hundred fans. But the fact that is the Harbor Center is going to be run first class all the way and be a much better overall site than the Northtown Center.

If a school wanted to make a bigger arena look at Niagara for doing it first. My guess is they would blow out the wall behind the benches and build that way. They draw pretty well there adding another 1000-1500 seats wouldn't be a bad idea
- Stripes77

But is there room to do it?

EDIT: I guess you're right, and you could expand behind the benches.

Might be late but just saw Pysyk and Larsson recalled.
- jochfr

Nice. Did a forward get injured?

But is there room to do it?
- buffalofan19

Yeah the area behind the benches. They only sit on one side there. There was talk about expanding if the team got into the WCHA conference.

Nice. Did a forward get injured?
- sbroads24

The team has the flu

Might be late but just saw Pysyk and Larsson recalled.
- jochfr

So why was he sent down again?

The team has the flu
- Stripes77

Seriously? I get sick from watching them, I didn't know they made each other sick too

Seriously? I get sick from watching them, I didn't know they made each other sick too
- sbroads24

better than giving each otehr syfilus like in blue mountain state

So why was he sent down again?
- ImThatGuy

I don't understand either. They are going back and forth every 3 days or so. Kind of weird

New Garth blog coming?

Miller to Minny (again).

So why was he sent down again?
- ImThatGuy

and why was Weddel called up? because that is who is going down in his place

New Garth blog coming?

Miller to Minny (again).


- jochfr

that is one wicked pump fake on the shot..