Month: September 2024

Sundae (Toni) Bafo – Label

Buffalo employed a professional 22 years old figure skater to assist in introducing the players during home games in 1970, the young lady had become an amateur multi-medalist in the US and Canada who then coached at the Buffalo Skating and Curling Clubs and winning a National Synchronized skating championship.

No pyrotechnic display, loud blaring horn or pop music, no giant logo lit up on the ice, and no major celebrity to kick off the show…just hockey, introduced by a lone figure skater with a piece of classical music from Russian composer Aram Khachaturian.

The music written in 1942 for the ballet “Gayane”, the “Sabre Dance” is considered by some to be one the signature pieces of the 20^th century, and has been covered by many artists around the world, and here along the Lake this piece has become our hockey music.

For the first time Buffalo hosted the US National Figure Skating Championship and it coincided with the Sabres inaugural season 1970-71 during January 27– 30, which was the Golden Anniversary year of US figure skating which included 14 years old Dorothy Hamill competing.

Test your memory and online research skills

Beginning Tuesday October 8th the Buffalo Winter Tuesday Trivia challenge commences and runs through the regular season relating to professional and amateur hockey played here along the Lake.

No pressure, no stress, hopefully just an enjoyable distraction to expand our knowledge of hockey through trivia and historical points of interests.

Example:

Each Tuesday will present a new inquiry and last week’s correct response, additionally at the end of the regular season the subscriber with the highest percentage of correct answers will be awarded an encased vintage hockey card with authentic historical documentation.

A Player to remember

High School

If he never played organized hockey past high school he would still be remembered as a great hockey player as his induction into the New Jersey High School Ice Hockey Hall of Fame, scoring over 100 points his last two years and playing in the NJSIAA Championship attests to.

College

As a freshman he helped Boston College win the NCAA Championship, he also earned the Hobey Baker Award by leading the country in goals and assists one season, and before that season he won a gold medal on the US National team in the World Junior Championship.

NHL

Perhaps if JG (Johnny Gaudreau) was six feet or taller instead of 5’ 9” he more likely than not would have been drafted in the first round, instead 103 players were selected before him as the Calgary Flames used their fourth round pick for him.

In the 2013-14 NHL season JG played one game, had 15 minutes of ice time, took one SOG and scored his first NHL goal, over the next eight seasons scored 20+ goals twice, 30+ goals twice, and 40 goals once.

JG was selected to the All-Rookie All-Star team, every season placed in voting for the Lady Byng which he won in his third season, and selected to the All-Star first team two seasons ago after notching 40 goals.

Then the trade to Columbus where he struggled to reach 20 goals and 50 assists for each of his two years as a Blue Jacket but both sides wanted and signed an extension for JG to stay in Columbus.

Pain & Tragedy

I take solace in the fact JG attended a Catholic HS and was taught the Good News, so while his family, friends, teammates, and hockey fans miss him terribly, they can have hope and faith that Johnny Gaudreau is resting in peace while awaiting our Lord’s return.

Summer weather, well organized, and polite crowd contributed to an enjoyable event.

Downtown Buffalo – The weather seemed more mid-July than mid-September which meant hydration was important, not only for the tournament players but spectators, event associates, and the Sheriff’s Department whose subtle presence/service was noticed and appreciated.

Entering the Fan Fest itself one of the first attractions was local artist Chad Tingly’s portable “mural” for everyone to paint on but most people just signed their name as did Buffalo Winter.  And when the event is over Mr. Tingly will paint in the blank center and the mural will be moved into the arena lobby.

Hockey rinks as far as the eye could see began at Washington St. in front of the arena and continuing down Perry St. past Mississippi St, and with no changing area the sidewalk along the rinks were pretty crowded with players, parents, friends, and family.

One of the better equipped, well organized, brilliantly clad, and enthusiastic youth entries was, “The 1980s” under the guidance of Coach Cal, these players looked sharp and were ready to go.

Traveling from their Nation’s capital the Lumberjacks representing Ottawa in uniforms reminiscent of the 1920s NHL Cup Champion Senators, a couple of their players told me they enjoyed themselves, and that Buffalo was one of the best tournaments they play in.  

And when I responded incredulously, “really?” the one player just waved his arm towards the street and said, “Look at how many rinks there are.”

There were many colorful hockey sweaters and games to watch that had dedicated referees, recorded game statistics, and some pretty talented hockey players and not just the men, the boys and girls were also entertaining.

Plenty of things to see and do besides watching street/ball hockey, a well-planned event that you could bring your whole family to enjoy with plenty of kid activities, beverages, hot dog and cheeseburger vendor, a beer garden, music, gaming and autographs, inside and out of the arena.