DOWNTOWN BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN)....Sometime around mid-afternoon Friday, a large chunk of downtown Buffalo near KeyBank Center turned into a sea of blue-and-gold Alex Tuch and Rasmus Dahlin jerseys.
Call it playoff hockey.
In a very collegiate-like atmosphere, downtown parking lots turned into tailgating mini-cities. Beers were being chugged, music was blaring and the mood was electic.
All in preparation for Friday's Buffalo Sabres/Montreal Canadiens playoff game.
"This is something amazing," said Brian Whalen, a Depew resident who was tailgating with a large group of friends in a lot nestled between the Seneca One Tower and Canalside. "There is just this great vibe."
Cole Darlak, who came from Pendleton, said Canalside and the watch party was his destination. He has been to all four Canalside watch parties to date.
"I've got to support my boys," Darlak said.
Between Alumni Plaza and Canalside, Buffalo police estimate more than 10,000 hockey fans were at one of the two outdoor watch parties.
That total doesn't include the 19,070 hockey fans inside KeyBank Center or the jammed downtown bars and restaurants.
"I think the vibe here is off the roof," said Jason Florino.
Yes, it was.
Hockey fans jam into Canalside, Alumni Plaza and bars
Hockey fans jam into Canalside, Alumni Plaza and bars
