Of course the big storyline going into the game is the homecoming of Buffalo native, Patrick Kane, and the return of former Sabre, Brian Campbell. Besides the duo returning home, the Blackhawks sport one of the best teams in the West (and even better uniforms)
But we all know what the main focus will be from the fans and media members. I’m sure we can already forecast the topic that WGR will run on Friday: “Should the fans boo Campbell and Kane?” (Or they run the overused topic of your favorite Sabres moment from the 2005-2007 campaign)
The answer is YES. Now am I saying you should bring a sign that says, “Kane is a cheapskate” or throw Campbells soup on the ice? No. I think a mild boo for each player would suffice.
As a fan, your job is to cheer or boo your team as you so fit. Cheering for the opposition is just stupid. Trust me, I’m still bitter towards the fact that the Sabres botched the Campbell, Drury & Briere contract negotiations. But when you are suppose to be a Sabres fans, you should only cheer for your team, not the enemy.
You have two unique cases with Campbell and Kane.
Look at it this way for Campbell, if you break-up with your girlfriend after 5 years and then you see her out a year later with her new boyfriend, are you going to buy them a drink and set-up a double date? No. I don’t care if it was a good or bad break-up, it should be nothing more than cordial and that’s it. Sure, you’ll go over there and say “hello,” but you’re not going to look towards being boyz with the couple. That’s what you get with “Soupy.”
If the lover’s quarrel doesn’t convince you, how about this. Campbell was a good player, but he wasn’t great. Chris Drury and Daniel Briere were the cornerstones of those Sabres teams. If Campbell was so good, the Sabres would of been a lot better than their 10th place showing in 2007. We aren’t talking about Jim Kelly or Pat LaFontaine coming home.
Speaking of home, here comes Travis Bickle himself (Look up Robert DeNiro in Taxi driver), Patrick Kane. So the guy is from Buffalo… Hooray! I’m so over fans being appreciative towards the kid that makes good, whose from Buffalo.
The 76ers fans don’t cheer for Kobe Bryant when he comes home to play in Philly, the city of Baltimore doesn’t cheer for Mark Teixeira when he comes home to Baltimore. I don’t get a round of applause when I return home from friends (OK, bad example). I can’t think of a pro athlete that gets a cheered when returning to his home town.
Why does Buffalo have to be different? Cause we are that down on our own city, that we need an athlete to make us feel better about ourselves. Thanks, but no thanks. (Editor’s note: that was probably a little harsh, but you get the point)
Prediction Time: I think most fans will boo Campbell, with slight cheers coming from the same girls who still cheer for Max and other former Sabres heartthrobs. The one thing Kane has going for him is he will probably have tons of family and friends from his childhood at the game, so look for there to be a bit more cheers for him than Campbell.
Whether you cheer or boo, this is definitely a must-see game for Sabres fans.
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