Observations from the opener, off the ice

Friday’s home opener was the first chance the fans had to see all of the First Niagara Center renovations first-hand. It was the first night the new-look team played on home ice without prospects sprinkled into the lineup. It was also the first night the Sabres opened up the F’N Center press box to the blogging community.

It is just another one of those things the Sabres organization continues to do right. The PR staff was good enough to accommodate myself – along with a pair of other Sabres bloggers – with a press credential for the game. In addition to my game story, I wanted to reflect on a few other things I noticed during the home opener:

• New multi-colored LEDs adorned either side of the Sabres’ entrance tunnel and additional spot lights had been hung on either side of the video board. The LEDs are a very nice touch, they are virtually identical to what the Canucks have at the entrance to their bench and the effect they create is very cool.
• There were also two large banks of robotic (I think) spotlights hanging near the video board. These added a little more oomph to the pre-game and post-goal celebrations as the multi-colored lights complimented the main spot lights which hang far above the seating bowl. While the hallway LEDs are cooler, these will get a lot more use and add more to the overall in-arena presentation.
• The video board signage is up and it is spectacular.  The dynamic blue and gold swoosh over the F’N Center lettering looks great, as does the new font and design used to display the score and stats.
• While they didn’t stand out to me, I’m with Phil from Black & Blue & Gold in saying that sponsorship banners do not belong in the rafters. I’m OK with them because they’re so high up that they don’t impact things much. But the principle of the matter is where I stand, with Phil. Aside from hanging a cup banner or Dominik Hasek’s uniform number, there shouldn’t be anything else put up above the video board. I’m sure that there is an equally effective location for those banners to go, perhaps somewhere in the atrium.
• I do hope the organization finds a way to re-incorporate the awesome 3D sabres that once sat behind the slugs on the video board. I’m thinking four massive, white 3D buffalos that will spew smoke – or the same basic set up as the slugs but using a white buffalo rather than Barney Rubble’s hairpiece.
• The pre-game presentation was a home run. Both videos were dynamic and well executed and the elimination of dropping Sabretooth from the rafters was wise. This I liked, It kept the focus on the ice and video board. Everything was succinct and packed with energy, high marks to that portion of the evening. The game presentation staff definitely held some cards during the preseason in order to surprise those in attendance.
• One thing I was both disappointed and happy with was the post-whistle entertainment. The point was attempting to explore with my post last week was if the Sabres would need to sell as much advertising as they had in the past. With all the money backing the organization, I was curious to see they may eliminate the numerous commercials that used to litter each game.
• I understand that advertising is a necessary evil and the game presentation staff has their hands tied in regards to what they can do between whistles. While there were a boat load of commercials used during the game, but they pretty much ran out for the third period and the staff was able to freelance a bit more. This riled up the crowd a bit and created a better atmosphere in the arena. Obviously the time they had to freelance was better than when they played commercials, this is a trend I can get on board with. It also helped that there were a pair of commercials (Twin Village Recycling and McDonalds) that included fan involvement. This  was yet another victory since the fans were sitting idly by while Sabretooth played goalie in front of a garbage can. Another win for game presentation in that regard.

Aside from the on-ice product, I was very impressed with what I saw in and around the F’N Center on Friday evening. I’m interested to see if there is a legit video open that will rotate with the “flag bearer” video that opened the game Friday. The John Williams-esque score that accompanied the “We Live Hockey” video – as Kramer would say – scratched me in all the right places. I’d be happy to see more videos with that type of intensity. The Sabres return home on October 25, I’m sure the game presentation staff has a few more tricks up their sleeve for that game.