Employees are thankful for NHL return

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - With the Sabres back in action, employees are making up for time lost from the NHL lockout.

More than 600 employees are ready to serve tomorrow's sellout crowd of fans hungry for the return of hockey.

Concessions, ushers and sales staff are back to business at First Niagara Center, getting ready for Sunday's Sabres season opener.

Delaware North Sportservice was flooded with returning employees and new faces, the moment the NHL lockout ended.

Mike Zielinski, Sportservice General Manager said, "Once we put the word out that we were looking for stand attendants and culinary and all the different departments, we had a tremendous outbreak."

The Sabres have been Lynn Farrell's livelihood for the last seven years but the lockout changed her personal economy.

To make ends meet, Farrell now works two jobs instead of one. She said, "It was a little tricky at first, when we didn't have the hockey. I was waiting for it to start up again, because it's tight on cash. This was my only job;  I had to go find another job."

The lockout especially affected employees with children such as Michael DeFrancesco. "I have a five-year-old so it's very hard. Probably get another job. Money's tight right now, so I'm glad to have the season back. It's a blessing to have it back," he said.

The crowds at this week's scrimmages have given workers a few good practice runs.

DeFransesco said, "This town loves hockey. Seeing 10,000 people come down at the last minute is fantastic. To see the city alive again. It's good for all the fans, and then all the businesses, and us workers here; anybody that was affected."

To make sure everyone's happy and comfortable at tomorrow's game, Sportservice is bringing in extra staff. Some of its workers from Ralph Wilson Stadium will be at the arena to give directions and help out in the stands.

Tomorrow, your snacking dollars will be greatly appreciated by the employees with a job for the remainder of the hockey season.

And, as a way of saying "thank you," the concessions stands are offering these season-opener specials, to make those dollars go further:

- A hot dog and potato chips combo, normally $6, is half-price: $3.

- A 48 oz. cup of popcorn, normally $3, costs $1.

- Souvenir Sabres cups, which usually sell for $5.25, are discounted to $4.25 and filled with the fountain beverage of your choice.

- Bags of peanuts are $2, instead of the normal $4.50.