BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN)....A Buffalo Sabres NHL playoff road game, on April 23, drew thousands into downtown.
Downtown Lancaster, that is.
Not downtown Buffalo.
After successful hosting watch parties on April 19 and April 21 at Canalside and Alumni Plaza, many downtown leaders were expecting the same for the Sabres' two road games in Boston.
But for the games on April 23 and April 26, Canalside was empty.
Questions are being raised by city leaders as to why there were no watch parties at Canalside or Alumni Plaza.
"It was a lost opportunity," said Steve Carmina, Buffalo Place Inc, chairman.
At a time when there is a concerted effort by downtown leaders to create more special events and attractions to help revive the central business district's lost swagger and mojo, Sabres watch parties were almost hand made for that chance.
It's not people weren't coming downtown.
They were,
For the April 26 game, Fattey Beer Co. on Roosevelt Plaza has jammed packed.
For the April 19 Canalside watch party, more than 10,000 people attended.
The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp., who owns Canalside, directed calls to the Sabres. The Sabres declined to respond to WBEN's request for an interview.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, an ex-officio ECHDC director, said he plans on broaching the subject with representatives from the state-run harbor development corporation.
Mayor Sean Ryan agrees not having the watch parties for away games is a lost opportunity.
Meanwhile, the Chippewa Alliance is considering staging away game watch parties if Canalside and Alumni Plaza remain dark.
"We've done it for Bills' games and we are thinking about it for Sabres' games," said Chris Ring, Chippewa Alliance president.
City leaders say no watch party was a lost opportunity
City leaders say no watch party was a lost opportunity
