Fans are starving for hockey comeback

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - How starved are Buffalonian's for hockey? Enough to where more than 150 people came to a local bar at 8 a.m. on a Saturday to watch the World Junior Championships game.

Cole's in Elmwood Village had the looks, feel and sounds of a game. Hockey fans waking up on a Saturday to go to a bar and watch a hockey game goes to show how hockey deprived this area is.

Nick Diberardino of West Seneca says, "I think it proves how much this area misses hockey. Basically they'll go anywhere to see any semblance of it. If this game was on at 8a.m. and the Sabres season was going, I'm not sure that there would be as many here."

Many would agree with Kim Majewsji of Cheektowaga and George Kuhl of Buffalo who said this sort of event brings Buffalo together during the winter season whether they are a Buffalo sports team or not. Kuhl says, "It's a chance to bond with fellow Buffalonians."

The lack of games, means a lack of crowds which businesses like Cole's depend on this time of year.

Mike Shatzel, the owner of Cole's says, "Hockey games which typically you have three a week, it fills the bar up home and away. It really hurts. I own Liberty Hound down on the water front, we shut down because of the loss of hockey."

Even the owner was surprised by Saturday's turnout, who was expecting maybe 50 people.

"It helps a little with the dent with the loss of hockey. But hopefully they get their act together and in a couple weeks we can start getting the real thing," Shatzel said.

It wasn't the Buffalo Sabres, but it was still our country we were rooting on, even if it was at 8 in the morning.