Fans catch rare Sabres appearance at Pepsi Center
by ELIZABETH TAUFA Reporter

Michelle Goodman of Amherst enjoys a snack while watching the Buffalo Sabres practice at the Pepsi Center last Friday morning. Fans were not permitted into the rink and had to watch from the lobby. Photo by David F. Sherman Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

While tickets to Buffalo Sabres games have been elusive this season, fans have found a way to get their in-person Sabres fix.

Sabres practice sessions have, throughout the season, been peppered with fans hoping to catch an up-close glimpse of their favorite players and maybe even an autograph.

On Friday, the Sabres were displaced from their downtown Buffalo home to the Amherst Pepsi Center near the University at Buffalo's North Campus because of the arena's necessary preparations for the final home game of the Buffalo Bandits' season.

Coming off their first playoff game - and their first win - the boys in the blue and gold headed north for the rare Pepsi Center practice and were met by a throng of fans seeking autographs.

"I came to get a birthday card signed for my sister," said Kenmore resident Jennifer Wallworth. "Her favorite player is Derek Roy. I got her an autographed picture of him Tuesday."

Wallworth is a regular at Sabres practices with her son, 7-month-old Lawson, in tow.

"I used to go up to Rochester to see the guys practice there," she said. "I come out now just to say hi to them."

Several area students took advantage of their spring recess by attending the practice session, but there were some present who were playing hooky for the day.

"I'm skipping class to be here," said Geneseo State College student Chris Maxwell. "I just wanted to watch the game back home (in Amherst)."

Maxwell noted that he and some friends from high school were trying to find tickets to the second game of the Sabres-Islanders series but would most likely have to watch at home.

Amherst residents Kim Goodman and Missy McNutt made a group trip out of the practice session, bringing a total of five children ages 2 to 10 years.

"It's just a nice thing to do because the kids are off school," Goodman said. "But I think we might come next time, even without the kids," she laughed.

She noted that the willingness of the Sabres to sign autographs was impressive.

"Ryan Miller was awesome with the kids," she said. "He signed something for all of them."

However, not all of Goodman's and McNutt's young entourage were happy with their observing positions.

"She's upset because she wants to get on the ice and play with them," Goodman said of her 2-year-old daughter, Michelle.

Tonawanda resident Chuck Neubecker is a regular at the Sabres practices and brought his grandson, 6-year-old Ryan Arth, to watch.

"I'm retired, so I come a lot," Neubecker said, noting that during the regular season, fans are allowed inside the rink area to watch the practice, but fans were being kept in the lobby during playoff practices.

Though Ryan was sporting a Sabres jacket and hat, at a previous practice session he was able to have his Ryan Miller jersey signed earlier in the week.

"He's my favorite player because we have the same name," Ryan said.

Jacklyn Kertzie, 12, of Williamsville and her sister, Isabelle, 8, were on hand hoping to get the signature of forward Maxim Afinogenov.

"He's my favorite because he's really good, but I'll take whoever," Jacklyn said, as her sister nodded in agreement.

While they were enjoying themselves, the concept of a professional hockey team practicing had Jacklyn puzzled.

"You wouldn't think that someone that good would have to practice," she said.