The thrill you get when you cross the border and see others wearing Sabres jerseys as well, is what is feels like to be a Buffalo Sabres fan when you’re Canadian. The Sabres are like a dog chasing a car, very close to catching it but just not quite there. Since the Sabres were established in 1970 they’ve been to two Stanley Cup finals but have never won and have been known as one of the league’s bottom teams. But through many tough times the fans have stayed loyal; things are looking up with the many high draft picks the Sabres have received.
It’s a certain feeling you get when you take that last exit off the highway and see the massive KeyBank Centre lit up like a Christmas tree. Excitement. On game day there are countless bars surrounding the arena but one is a staple of Buffalo, The Anchor Bar. It;s three hours before the game starts and The Anchor Bar is packed like a herd of sheep trying to fit into a pen. Finally the perfect table is found; ordered is the famous pound of saucy wings and slice of thick, juicy, greasy pizza that fills you up.
Once you are done eating the infamous pizza and wings, its time to take the 15 minute walk to the arena. On the way to the game like a pack of wolves wearing navy and yellow walking on the sidewalks chanting “Lets Go Buffalo!” cars honking along to the rhythm like a symphony of passionate fans.
At last you arrive to the arena and anxiously wait in line for your turn so the vendor can scan your ticket. The best sound of the day is “beep” the machine makes to confirm your ticket. You walk in and see many timepieces in display cases and pictures of Sabres alumni, it’s like a museum of Buffalo Sabre artefacts. It’s a certain smell you can’t put your finger on but smelt before. Accomplishment. Then you enter your section and take a seat. Look around it’s a field of navy and yellow with the odd visiting team fan who is getting heckled by the home crowd.
Finally the home team scores and the moment you’ve been waiting for when 19,200 fans jump up cheering and the red light flashed behind the net with the loud fog horn and the smoke shooting out from the jumbotron. It’s when you realize you’re in Sabre Country.
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