I went to see Billy Joel in concert tonight at HSBC Arena. It was, by all accounts, a fantastic show. Joel really is a great showman. However, what was really cool was what happened after the game.
As a packed arena filed out down the escalators and into the concourse a small "Let's Go Sabres" chant began to be heard. By the time I reached the bottom of the escalator heading down from the 300's, it was clear as day...and LOUD. By the time we got to the parking lot and were waiting to exit, the car horns started in as well.... beeeep beeeep beep beep beep!
For those of you who are living elsewhere, or even for those of you who haven't headed downtown this week I'm not sure how to describe the feeling in the city. There is a type of excitement, mixed with passion and nervousness and anxiety and anticipation and confidence all rolled into an intangible sense of SOMETHING that is everywhere.
Stated simply...this city is ready to erupt.
It's a look that strangers exchange when they notice the other is wearing blue and gold. It's seeing storefronts, gas stations, business offices and hot dog vendors all touting Go Sabres signs. It's seeing a sudden explosion of Sabre car flags everywhere in WNY. It's flipping on Channel 2 news Monday night, three nights before Game 1 and having footage from an optional skate and a re-call of a rookie forward be the second story featured on the telecast.
Combined with the excitement of the playoffs you add the hopefulness of spring, and the promise of warm weather finally returning to take up permanent residence, rather than simply visiting for an extended vacation, and it's a good time to be here in Buffalo.
Our city is in the beginning stages of a true renaissance. You see it in new buildings being erected and old buildings being rehabilitated. You can sense it with each new story about a new batch of apartments and condos becoming available downtown. It's as if the city itself is waking from a long winter hibernation, and is readying itself to stretch its legs and run alongside whatever path this Sabre team will take us on.
Get ready.
It's almost time to start.
As a packed arena filed out down the escalators and into the concourse a small "Let's Go Sabres" chant began to be heard. By the time I reached the bottom of the escalator heading down from the 300's, it was clear as day...and LOUD. By the time we got to the parking lot and were waiting to exit, the car horns started in as well.... beeeep beeeep beep beep beep!
For those of you who are living elsewhere, or even for those of you who haven't headed downtown this week I'm not sure how to describe the feeling in the city. There is a type of excitement, mixed with passion and nervousness and anxiety and anticipation and confidence all rolled into an intangible sense of SOMETHING that is everywhere.
Stated simply...this city is ready to erupt.
It's a look that strangers exchange when they notice the other is wearing blue and gold. It's seeing storefronts, gas stations, business offices and hot dog vendors all touting Go Sabres signs. It's seeing a sudden explosion of Sabre car flags everywhere in WNY. It's flipping on Channel 2 news Monday night, three nights before Game 1 and having footage from an optional skate and a re-call of a rookie forward be the second story featured on the telecast.
Combined with the excitement of the playoffs you add the hopefulness of spring, and the promise of warm weather finally returning to take up permanent residence, rather than simply visiting for an extended vacation, and it's a good time to be here in Buffalo.
Our city is in the beginning stages of a true renaissance. You see it in new buildings being erected and old buildings being rehabilitated. You can sense it with each new story about a new batch of apartments and condos becoming available downtown. It's as if the city itself is waking from a long winter hibernation, and is readying itself to stretch its legs and run alongside whatever path this Sabre team will take us on.
Get ready.
It's almost time to start.
1 comment:
Sabres? Are you talking about saber-toothed tigers?
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