Tagged: first niagara center

In a hockey season shortened to 48 games because of a lockout, the Buffalo Sabres opened the season Sunday with a 5-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, which sent a lot of happy fans into bars and restaurants for the first time this season.

Buffalo Sabres' fans gathered at Alumni Plaza outside of First Niagara Center to honor the French Connection Friday night.

A seven foot bronze statue of Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin and Rene Robert was unveiled, celebrating the greatness of the trio and the success of the blue-and-gold in the 70's. The voice of the Sabres, Rick Jeanneret, hosted the event, and team owner Terry Pegula was on hand.

The opening of the NHL season is being delayed by contract negotiations between the players and the owners.

The Buffalo Sabres will be honoring the famed French Connection line of the 1970s with a statue outside First Niagara Center. 

Sabres president Ted Black stood outside the arena Thursday to announce that a 10-foot bronze statue of the renowned trio -- Gilbert Perreault, Rene Robert, and Rick Martin -- will be part of a larger, newly-renamed Alumni Plaza.

The Buffalo Sabres have announced that starting this fall, smoking will no longer be allowed on First Niagara Center property. 

Designated smoking areas outside the arena will become a thing of the past as of September 1.  Fans will not be able to smoke on arena grounds during any games or events.  The team says the change in policy comes at the request of fans and reflects similar trends at the sporting venues across the country. 

Rock legend Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band perform in concert tonight at the sold-out First Niagara Center in downtown Buffalo as part of the "Wrecking Ball" tour.  

Springsteen last appeared in Buffalo in November 2009.  It turned out to be the last concert featuring saxophonist Clarence Clemons, who died in June 2011.   Tonight's concert will include a tribute by Springsteen to his old friend. 

WBFO and AM970's Mark Scott has a preview of tonight's show.