Thanks Labatt
Originally, I was been disappointed that the tournament was not taking place at Hoyt Lake. I figured that the atmosphere there would be impossible to beat. And if there is a chance to host it on Hoyt Lake next year, then I hope that there is a change of venue. Councilmember Michael J. LoCurto recently made a request that the Labatt Hoyt Lake Pond Hockey event be the precedent for opening skating on Hoyt Lake to the public. Unfortunately that was not possible this year... but the Erie Basin Marina was a big success. The heated beer tent was an added bonus. As a matter of fact, people were wondering why this type of event doesn't come around more often. The Labatt 'Cold One' bottles were a big surprise too. Warm to the touch and cold going down... nice Labatt (you fooled the crowd).
The community feel was great. There was the feeling of the Ice Bowl on a small scale... something different, something that was not the norm for a Saturday in February. There were a lot of families with their dogs. Our athletic sense of community, both suburbanites and city dwellers, came together to promote this event downtown. We even ran into Gerhardt Yaskow (left) and Russ Maxwell promoting McCarthy's Irish Pub along with their two big Irish wolfhounds (Cormic and Conner L-R). It's these types of events that we should see more of. And we never would have seen it had Labatt not chosen Buffalo as its US headquarters. Thanks Labatt for giving Buffalo an incredible event that brought us together on the waterfront... during the winter season. How cool? Now we have to get Labatt and New Era to team up on a few events.
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Joshua
This hockey torney is something Buffalo should do every year. Thanks Labatts!
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gaustad
This was a very cool event, much better palce for it than hoyt lake, few babes down there too! In the coming years this could turn into a good party. Buffalo needs more events like this in the winter.
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NorPark
Thank you beer(Labatt), and more importantly thank you Buffalo Rising for providing a platform of positive energy for the true Buffalonians to band together and help create a better forumn to make our city the place it truly deserves to be.
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NorPark
I've obviouisly had/ am having, a 'few'.
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WCPerspective
A Conv. & Visitors Bureau photo-op; hope they were there.
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becker
Buffalo... Ice... Hockey... It is amazing that this isn't already a yearly event. I guess it takes a Canadian company to help us see the forest through the trees. Thanks Labatt's, I hope that this continues for years and decades to come. Maybe we could get to the point that this is the outdoor hockey destination / event for North America.
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stephenjames716
this was a really cool event! thank you labatt for putting on such a show. in the future it would be great to get some bands out there.
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HelloKitty
Were there any sissyfights like in the commercial?
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Laird3rd
why isn't there skating down there year around? look at that view! If buffalo wants to promote its winter and bring more people down to the waterfront that's usually dead during the winter, here's a great chance. Could have hockey scrimmages every weekend.
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buffalowing98
Laird,
I agree, Fountain Plaza is a great, traditional spot for ice skating downtown, but on the lake is special, very unique. It would be cool if they did consider having skating here throughout the winter, although I think I would be nervous.
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smythie
What a great event! How good did the city skyline look from there?! I can only hope that this event grows much, much larger over the next couple of years and becomes one of those seasonal events we all look forward to like the St. Patty's Day parades or our arts festivals! Kudos to Labatt for their commitment to Buffalo and for making this happen. I have a hunch that this event brought some people out who wouldn't regularly venture into the city, particularly in the depths of the winter!
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sunnydayz
Really great event! Thanks Labatts. I'm so glad we went down to see the games. Easy to get there, easy parking, a good hot dog, and great beer. I do love Buffalo!
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rb66
The waterfront development plan should include outdoor ice rinks. A venue where an event like this could take place annually.
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lulu
This venue was great for many reasons, including the backdrop of the city and the large space for tents and parking. Not only do players need to get easily in and out/back and forth to their cars, but spectators had an easy go of it as well. The best part about this location was the ability to stand above the ice surface and see all four games at once. If the crowd was at ice level, it would be much more difficult to follow the games. If Shanghai Reds had been open and had fires in their pits on the patio, spectators would have definitely been throwing cash their way. A few other points to note: Labatts is a classy organization and chose to only charge $2 per cold one when they could have easily charged 4-5 bucks. As mentioned in the article, the warm hand/cold beer can was the perfect option for this event. My friends and I had a blast and look forward to a bigger and better pond hockey tourneys to come! Thank you Labatts! Get outside and enjoy Buffalo, my friends! All year round.
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