Fans enthusiastic at Party in the Plaza

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The winds of change have already swept through the home of the Buffalo Sabres, which has a brand new look in the Terry Pegula era and a new name, First Niagara Center. Fans are looking forward to the team's bright future.

The Pegulas have once again outdone themselves. Fans were greeted with decorations at First Niagara Center, including balloons and banners hanging from the rafters, as they walked in for the home opener. As nice as it was inside, it was a little different outside.

The Party in the Plaza got off to a slow start with the wind and rain. But the building does block a lot of the strong winds coming off of the lake and some hardy fans may stick around to watch the game on the big screen as the Sabres hit the ice.

Only the last two letters of "First Niagara Center" have gone up on the building, and the wind may have played a role in delaying that. But inside, it's decked out in style, and the fans noticed right away.

Bob Murphy said, "It just brings the Buffalo' sports spirit right out into it. Terry Pegula's brought it right back to Buffalo, where it needs to be. It's great. We love it."

"We're ones that moved away and came back and we're so glad to see the spirit up and the new lights out front. We really love it," said Kathrine Murphy.

Sabres President Ted Black said, "Well, you know, this is Terry's first opener. We had our first game February 23rd. We've been on the job a little over seven months. So we're pretty excited. This has a little bit more of the Pegula imprint on it."

Just before the puck drops Friday night, fans will see a brand new video that was made with their help earlier in the week.