Wild game suggestions for out of towner

[SabresJente]

My son is a huge Wild fan--what can I say, he was born there. We live in Toronto and he doesn't get to see them too often. They don't come east much and Leafs tickets are near impossible to get and impossible to afford! His March break starts Friday, so we thought we'd drive down to Buffalo and try to see the Sabres/Wild game. (I was born in Buffalo and am a Sabres fan--one of us will be happy after the game Friday night!) Anyway, we're trying to score tickets on eBay and I had a couple of questions I was hoping you could help with, please.

Does anyone know how the numbering of the seats go? I'm trying to figure out exactly where some seats are, but can't find a seating chart with seat numbers on it.

We thought we'd drive down early and catch the game day skate at the arena. Has anyone ever done that? Is there a chance for autographs? My son also has a few favourite Sabres and loves trying to get autographs from hockey players.

I've heard the visiting skates are closed. Do they skate at the arena too? Any chance of seeing them skate?

Does anyone know where the visiting teams stay? We scored a great deal on a room at the Hyatt and my son was hoping that the Wild would be staying there too.

Just in case we don't get tickets on eBay, does anyone have any experience with scalpers?

Thank you so much for your help. My son is so psyched about this Friday. Thanks for helping me to make it super special for him.

Cheers!

[TranceDuT]

My son is a huge Wild fan--what can I say, he was born there. We live in Toronto and he doesn't get to see them too often. They don't come east much and Leafs tickets are near impossible to get and impossible to afford! His March break starts Friday, so we thought we'd drive down to Buffalo and try to see the Sabres/Wild game. (I was born in Buffalo and am a Sabres fan--one of us will be happy after the game Friday night!) Anyway, we're trying to score tickets on eBay and I had a couple of questions I was hoping you could help with, please.

Does anyone know how the numbering of the seats go? I'm trying to figure out exactly where some seats are, but can't find a seating chart with seat numbers on it.

We thought we'd drive down early and catch the game day skate at the arena. Has anyone ever done that? Is there a chance for autographs? My son also has a few favourite Sabres and loves trying to get autographs from hockey players.

I've heard the visiting skates are closed. Do they skate at the arena too? Any chance of seeing them skate?

Does anyone know where the visiting teams stay? We scored a great deal on a room at the Hyatt and my son was hoping that the Wild would be staying there too.

Just in case we don't get tickets on eBay, does anyone have any experience with scalpers?

Thank you so much for your help. My son is so psyched about this Friday. Thanks for helping me to make it super special for him.

Cheers!

As far as seating goes, there really isnt a bad seat in the house.

104-106 and 116-118 are the best seats.

If you get 300 level, try to get 318-322 and 304-308...because of the netting at each side.

200 level tickets are great but pricey, but the food is much better and you can order anything right from your seat.

As far as scalpers go, its legal in NY State. The law says that someone cant scalp a ticket for more than 40% of its value.

Hope this helps.

[Cornellian]

Hey Jente,

I'm afraid I'm not equipped to answer many of your questions. But I can tell you that I've bought from scalpers and from ebay for home games this season, and I got a better deal by far in working with ebay. I would recommend ebay over scalping. Many of the ebayers place the tickets at the will call window in your name, which is every bit as convenient as dealing with a scalper.

[dilbert]

http://www.seats3d.com/nhl/buffalo_sabres/

That is a 3D seating chart.

As for scalpers, I have not in years. In the past it always depended on how much you wanted to negotiate, how long you wanted to wait, and where you want to sit. If you wait until the face-off, the price goes down. The risk is they might run out. But with it being the Wild, that is unlikely.

http://www.hsbcarena.com/content/images/seating/hockey.gif

Here is another diagram.

[dilbert]

If you get 300 level, try to get 318-322 and 304-308...because of the netting at each side.



323 is not effected by the netting either and is a nice section.

[SabresJente]

We scored some great seats on eBay...right next to the Wild bench. My son is very psyched. Any additional answers to the first questions and/or additional tips for out-of-towners are always appreciated.

Thanks to the guys who already answered...appreciate it!:beers:

[unklechucky]

I'm not sure what time they open the arena doors or what they allow or restrict as to practice/skates. That said, we are known for our welcoming of out of towners. My advice is get to the arena early, explain your situation to someone and see what they can do for you, I'm pretty sure someone may be able to help, being that we wouldn't want to send a guest away with a bad taste.

My sister was a "Sabres Groupie" and i know for fact that the best autographs are scored on the backside of the arena outside near where players park and the visiting team bus awaits. It may take a while for the players to shower, but the wait is worth it being that this is where the players exit the building, and its great for photo op's too.

Don't quote me, but i believe the visiting players stay at the Adam's Mark Hotel.

[stafford669]

The Doors Open At 630pm For A Friday Night Game .they Let You Go In Your Seats At 7pm.

[Cornellian]

4-0 Wild in the third.

This is what we get for being nice to out of towners. :P