Let’s go Buffalo Sabres! For the 2021 season, Buffalo Sabers are hosting fans once again! Attending Buffalo Sabers games, you will have to follow the testing requirements and New York State guidelines.
That being said, traveling to a Buffalo Sabers game is a great option for NY state residents and nearby areas. The city has plenty of great restaurants, things to do and architecture to see! (Check out our Buffalo Restaurant Guide).
In this post, we’ll give you the full value travel experience to attending a Sabers Game this year.
VALUE TRAVEL TRANSIT TO BUFFALO SABRES
GAMES
The NFTA (Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority) website states you can park for free at any Metro Park and Ride.
Take the NFTA Metro Rail or Metro Bus to the Buffalo Sabres game. As a result, no car rental, gas or parking is necessary.
The local bus routes to and from the game are the #6, 8, 14, 16 and 36. Bus fare is two dollars per person. If you need transfers, it pays to get the day pass for five dollars.
Staying in Niagara Falls?
— Get to and from a Buffalo Sabres game in just over an hour for $4 per person round-trip! That’s peanuts!
— Take the number 40 bus and then walk 10 minutes to and from the arena.
Driving from Ontario, Canada?
— Drive into Niagara Falls, NY, park, and take the 40 bus route.
No sitting in traffic, no cost of parking, and Buffalo Sabres hockey. SOUNDS PERFECT!
APPRECIATING ARCHITECTURE
Locals suggested the view from up top at City Hall. Free tours take place weekdays at noon.
It is a way to look at the exquisite architecture while keeping your budget in check.
Viewing the Liberty Building is another recommendation for those who enjoy exploring downtown.
I advocate taking a nice, 20-minute, scenic walk from those buildings on your way to the Buffalo Sabres arena. You don’t have to take the Metro Rail or Bus.
You will revel in the cotyledons’ foliage in the fall and spring.
POPULAR EATS AND DRINKS NEARBY
Head to Pearl Street.
I had a tasty and satiating Kielbasa at the Pearl Street Grill and Brewery.
The extensive beer choice draws locals.
Since I was only in town for one Buffalo Sabres game, I could not explore every pre-game hangout.
I canvassed locals about their top picks to chill in their Sabres attire before puck drop. Residents’ favorites include  Iron Works, (716) Food and Sport, Lockhouse Distillery, and Ballyhoo.
Check them out!
CANALSIDE
The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation is revitalizing Canalside.
Some locals love the area.
It neighbors the arena right along the Buffalo River and is a family friendly destination.
It has boat rides, naval vessel tours, and an ice skating rink among diverse choices.
Take a stroll along the water, but development may take place. Building means progress, right?
Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation will enhance Canalside in 2019 once everything gets fixed up before the warmer months.
I hope to return then to stay and play!
ALUMNI PLAZA
Alumni Plaza is a can’t-miss when exploring the arena.
Outside the arena is a set of bronze statues featuring one of the strongest forward line pairs in NHL history. It offers an excellent picture opportunity!
The “French Connection” = French-Canadians Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin and Rene Robert. The NHL inducted them into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame.
And check out the Sabres players of each decade with their own plaques at Alumni Plaza.
THE SABRES WOW THE FANS
Thrilling!
Good passing, nine goals, a triumph, and many goal horns and songs = a happy Grasshopper Greg!
Locals told me this November game I attended was the 2018-2019 season-changing game.
I am so glad I witnessed and took part in the crowd’s first-legitimate spurt of playoff-level enthusiasm since 2011!
After nine consecutive years of missing the playoffs, fans want the Sabres to continue scoring.
While up nine goals to two over the Ottawa Senators, the crowd shouted: “one… two… three… four… five… six… seven… eight… nine… we want 10!”
I asked my friend Josiah, “Why aren’t the fans grateful with nine goals?” He laughed.
I pondered to myself, “damn, Buffalo fans have dealt with seven consecutive seasons of missing the playoffs!…”
“… They have reasonable and grandiose expectations!”
And you know what, I admired their chant. They’re paying for the Sabres to entertain them, so why not?
Fun, fun, fun!
BUBBLE HOCKEY MADNESS
Bubble hockey… on ice… in front of over 17.9 K fans, yes please!
A Sabres employee approached our group if we would take part in this game.
She said to be bracing to hit the ice at the end of the second intermission.
What!?! One weekend in Buffalo and I go bash Buffalo bubblers… Bingo!
Josiah’s girlfriend Jen observed and filmed us. Thank you, Jen!
His friend Matt hit another gentleman’s bubble with the utmost “bubbular” force!
Josiah couldn’t wear his glasses due to game rules but came out strong.
I keenly focused on tracking the puck and was resisting falling. Boy, was it tough to see through the bubble, despite my 20/20 vision.
We knocked and bounced off each other with reckless abandon.
The fact I didn’t make a complete fool of myself in front of 18,000 spectators was an achievement!
Our group lost, but the recollection was invaluable!
Photo/Video credit: Jen Donato.
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KeyBank Center is a comfortable arena and presents a great hockey fan experience regardless of the tally.
Visit.
The Buffalo Sabres team standings hampered locals in recent seasons.
The Sabres perennial-losing team may very well be in the rearview mirror.
“Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.”― Jack Kerouac
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1 comment
As a hockey fan I really enjoyed this. I can see why this can be a great road trip and also have so many other things to do as well. Maybe I will plan this earlier in the hockey season before the really cold weather sets in!