For local hockey fans and parents, the opening weekend of HarborCenter was a big success. As the Buffalo Sabres battled the Detroit Red Wings at Fisrt Niagara Center across the street, the Junior Sabres were on the ice on one of the HarborCenter rinks against the Regals, losing in overtime. Clarence hockey mom Melissa Deakin was excited because she can show off the new home for her son.
"We're very excited. He's excited to have a home ice and just a beautiful facility for people to be able to come from out of town and see this in Buffalo is wonderful," Deakin said.
Other hockey parents also complimented the rink and its new dressing rooms. They say it's an alternative for travel games since other teams can come here now instead of local teams heading to Detroit or Toronto.
Among the men's college hockey games played at HarborCenter between Friday and Sunday were two contests between the Canisius College and Ohio State and a game pitting ECC against RIT. Both Canisius and ECC now call HarborCenter home.
Two youth tournaments, a U16 and a U18, also took place over the weekend.
"We're very. very pleased. This has just been a terrific weekend," HarborCenter president John Koelmel said. "[There have been] great crowds at every event...sellouts for Canisius and Ohio State. The feedback has been really terrific."
Koelmel says there will be a lot more work since completion of the complex's hotel is still months away. The building's feature restaurant, (716) Food and Sport opens this Friday.
