A few times a year the Buffalo Sabres Road Crew hits the road bringing Buffalo Sabres hockey to fans far from the reaches of the First Niagara Center. If you're an out-of-towner and are within reach of this event, it behooves you to check it out.

Last night The Road Crew as at Spoonz Pub on Sawmill Rd. in Columbus Ohio.

Spoonz is owned by Buffalo-boy, Frank Commendatore, and is home to the Central Ohio Bills Backers. Commendatore has owned the Pub since 2001 and has made it a home for Buffalo sports fans complete with Bills and Sabres memorabilia as well as a Mighty Taco sign right up front.

The event drew around 75 or so Sabres fans decked out in their regalia rubbing elbows with the Sabres coaching staff and members of the broadcast team. The host of the evening was Brian Duff who conducted numerous raffles for signed photos, pucks and hats plus a 50/50 raffle which the winner ended up generously donating back to the Sabres Foundation, the charity where all proceeds from the event went.

Commendatore did an outstanding job hosting the event. While talking with him he mentioned that getting food on the table was somewhat challenging since there was no kitchen. He talked of cooking and slicing roast beef in his home so that fans could indulge in Beef On Weck. A friend of his in the restaurant business used the fryers at his establishment to fry up a boat-load of chicken wings while out back, Frank and company busted out the BBQ to grill up some Sahlens dogs imported from Buffalo.

It was a happy event featuring an appearance by Rick Jeanneret, as well as former Sabres Rob Ray and Brad May. At one point while assistant coaches Brian Trottier, Danny Flynn, Tom Coolen and Arturs Irbe were busy signing autographs and posing for pictures, May and head coach Ted Nolan battled it out in a game of Jenga played with over-sized blocks on a high-top table.

Much thanks to the Sabres Road Crew for choosing Spoonz in Columbus and a big thanks to Frank for his hospitality. The graciousness with which all of the Sabres personalities worked the room and the time they took to personally interact with all those in attendance is also greatly appreciated.

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