I don't think what he said is that bad either. He's not mad at the fans. He actually said good things about them. It's just hard for him to see the opposing team get cheered for.

My question to that is, has he not happened to play against Toronto or Montreal here? Because having fans cheer for the opposing team in our building isn't exactly new.
- HonkFortheGoose

Yeah, but those are Leaf and Habs fanning cheering for the own team. That's different.

For the record i am 100% behind the tank and was cheering in my living room for the Yotes, I'm torn on how one should behave at the arena though.

To me its like you just stole a friend's girlfriend, and you really like her so its not for spite. But just be happy on the inside, don't go kissing her in front of your friend and make him feel worse than he already does.

I agree with everything except the fans getting a black eye. Rooting for either team or just sitting there quiet doesn't affect the outcome of the game. If only it were that easy the rafters at the FNC would be littered with Stanley Cup banners. And why do we care what people think? We don't owe the media or fans of any other market anything.
- Buffalo-Sabres

The black eye wouldn't be because it affected the outcome. It didn't. However, this is going to become a story, especially with the way the media is running with it. Social media has a lot to do with this. In fact, it might have just about everything to do with it. However, we have a bit of a reputation of being a bit amateurish when it comes to things like this, and I don't think this helps negate this.

jaff ‏@jaffryan · 44m44 minutes ago
@JeremyWGR @BNHarrington the same fan base that's had 97% attendance during one of the worst NHL seasons of all time? yeah, shame on us.
- MEBSabresFAN

Yeah, ask the pens and blackhawks how many games their stadium was deserted during their tanks. I seem to recall the pens a day away from selling and relocating, but they tanked and tanked and got a little help and voila, good team which filled the stands.

If it wasn't for twitter and every two bit hockey expert wannabe with a crappy blog (not the buzz ) this wouldn't even be that big of a deal, but since the mass media has so much effect on people's decisions and how quick they are to believe what they hear before formulating their own opinion, our season and fan base have this blackeye, which multiple teams that are in the playoffs today also carry.

Not that tanking is right, but anyone remember the ovechkin draft and how bad the pens and caps were tanking. If twitter would have been around then, I'm sure it would have been the same story

The black eye wouldn't be because it affected the outcome. It didn't. However, this is going to become a story, especially with the way the media is running with it. Social media has a lot to do with this. In fact, it might have just about everything to do with it. However, we have a bit of a reputation of being a bit amateurish when it comes to things like this, and I don't think this helps negate this.
- buffalofan19

Welcome to Pegulaville. We're a threat now because of how aggressive the Pegula's are. They used to love watching Buffalo, painted in a corner because of unwilling owners and ineptitude. Besides once we get McEichel and company playing they are going to be slobbing our knob like it was their idea. That's how sports media works.

Welcome to Pegulaville. We're a threat now because of how aggressive the Pegula's are. They used to love watching Buffalo, painted in a corner because of unwilling owners and ineptitude. Besides once we get McEichel and company playing they are going to be slobbing our knob like it was their idea. That's how sports media works.
- Buffalo-Sabres

Oh yeah, I hang out with a few sens and bruins fans and they won't get off my back about the tank, but only b/c they are so scared of what McEichel could do for this team. They fear a new era with our talent pool, huge cap space and dedicated owner and they can sense it

I personally love all of this. So much drama in sports. None of this makes a difference to me. When we have McEichel and are winning games, leading the league, winning cups, winning individual awards do you think I will care what others think about this tanking??? If I had free tickets i would have gone to the game in sabs gear and had no problem cheering for Arizona. I care about the long term goal of building a contender.

We Buffalo fans have been loyal diehard fans without a championship for decades. If this is what it takes to win one then so be it. TANK ON !

Yeah, but those are Leaf and Habs fanning cheering for the own team. That's different.

For the record i am 100% behind the tank and was cheering in my living room for the Yotes, I'm torn on how one should behave at the arena though.

To me its like you just stole a friend's girlfriend, and you really like her so its not for spite. But just be happy on the inside, don't go kissing her in front of your friend and make him feel worse than he already does.
- Homer

Well its kind of like an old friend that you really aren't friends with. Just like how the majority of this team wont be here next season. No need to feel bad. They are professionals and are paid millions to play a sport. If they need some counsoling or therapy for being so hurt I'm sure they can afford it

To me its like you just stole a friend's girlfriend, and you really like her so its not for spite. But just be happy on the inside, don't go kissing her in front of your friend and make him feel worse than he already does.
- Homer

First, I'm watching the Simpsons right now, second I love the Ultimate Warrior's "parts Unknown location , but I also like this assessment. I don't think I could cheer against them at the stadium, maybe a silent fist pump, but at home all bets are off. I can't wait for the season to be over though

Yeah, but those are Leaf and Habs fanning cheering for the own team. That's different.

For the record i am 100% behind the tank and was cheering in my living room for the Yotes, I'm torn on how one should behave at the arena though.

To me its like you just stole a friend's girlfriend, and you really like her so its not for spite. But just be happy on the inside, don't go kissing her in front of your friend and make him feel worse than he already does.
- Homer

Me and some friends debated going to the game, but I couldn't go through with it because I would've genuinely felt awful if I went to the game openly rooting against them. Doing so at a bar or at home? Fine. At the arena? Absolutely not.

I've rooted for them in the games I've attended earlier in the season, because I like to see them win when I go. However, there was no would have rooted for them had I went tonight and it would've felt odd lol

Yeah, but those are Leaf and Habs fanning cheering for the own team. That's different.

For the record i am 100% behind the tank and was cheering in my living room for the Yotes, I'm torn on how one should behave at the arena though.

To me its like you just stole a friend's girlfriend, and you really like her so its not for spite. But just be happy on the inside, don't go kissing her in front of your friend and make him feel worse than he already does.
- Homer

Are you speaking out of recent experience? I kid.

No. It is like you were on a break with your girlfriend, and you really love her. But you forgive her for doing what she did while on break, and you can now boast now that she is back.

What Mike Weber doesn't realize is he just left his legacy in Buffalo. Getting a late penalty in a crucial game and we get scored on to lose. Then he has the audacity to call out the fans.

The Sabres players didn't like the fans reactions? Guess what fellas. You know how every time one of you jumps from one team to the next because your new team could pay a little more and you claim "it's not personal, it's just the business side of hockey"? This is the fan version of that.

The Sabres players didn't like the fans reactions? Guess what fellas. You know how every time one of you jumps from one team to the next because your new team could pay a little more and you claim "it's not personal, it's just the business side of hockey"? This is the fan version of that.
- Smittyx36

Yea, but I would be worried it motivates them to try a little harder, and sneak in some extra points.

Talk radio is going to be fun today!

The Sabres players didn't like the fans reactions? Guess what fellas. You know how every time one of you jumps from one team to the next because your new team could pay a little more and you claim "it's not personal, it's just the business side of hockey"? This is the fan version of that.
- Smittyx36

Boom! This

I have only been to one home game this year because of where I live. I understand the predicament all of you Buffalo guys and gals have - to openly cheer for the opposing team in our building is really tough. I too would have mixed feelings if I was in attendance at any of these last few games. However, we all have to think of the bigger picture and longer term. This is about the future and not the present. The future is ours if we finish 30th. Tough poop to those from other cities who think negatively about us Sabres fans. Out destiny is tied to us finishing 30th - end of story.

I have many friends who are huge supporters of the Leafs. They are all openly routing for the Leafs to tank. They want the Oilers to catch them so they finish 28th. They are quietly jealous of where we stand - on the cusp of a 30th place finish in the deepest draft in years. Plus the best youngin's in the whole NHL. In 3 - 5 years when we are contending or hoisting the Stanley Cup, none of this will matter. In the end, that's all that matters. The end justifies the means.

Tank On

First, I'm watching the Simpsons right now, second I love the Ultimate Warrior's "parts Unknown location , but I also like this assessment. I don't think I could cheer against them at the stadium, maybe a silent fist pump, but at home all bets are off. I can't wait for the season to be over though
- bberkey1

This.

There's no way I outwardly cheer for the opposition in our own house. No way. You said it. Silent fist pump or quiet sigh of relief, etc. but no standing up - while wearing my Sabres gear, no less - and whooping it up when the other team scores.

Those players don't deserve that.

It pains me to be the laughing stock of the league, but I know where it (should) take us eventually. I've tried to remain on an even keel about it. I actually succeeded...until tonight. I felt like I was going to jump out of my skin. But I would never outwardly cheer for the opposition.

But, some fans have no class. We're one of the most knowledgeable fan bases in the league. We know what's at stake. But to do it in front of those guys who have given their all and not given up all year long? Classless.

Yea, but I would be worried it motivates them to try a little harder, and sneak in some extra points.
- Mentalorgasm5

I've thought this, as well.

It's probably a good thing they're going on a little road trip

Assuming the sabres clinch 30th with 3 or 4 games left on the schedule, I am curious if a switch is turned on and we see something more organized

no sign of the padawn or 89

is there a zombie situation on the left coast?

presently in Monterey California. I can confirm there are no zombies on the west coast. Went to a bar to watch the Sabres game but they only had the Sharks/Wings game and March madness. Kept up to date on the Sabres game with my smart phone.

To Anti-Tankers ie: Do not suggest we have ever believed or wanted a player to not try their hardest to win, we know they do and we expect them to, which is even more difficult for fans than the players, In the infamous words of the football coach who said "WE PLAY TO WIN THE GAME" we all acknowledge this and understand it. We are not trying to 'circumvent" the League Rules ( which of course was never a black eye on the Philidephias, Rangers, Torontos, Montreals, Bostons, franchises for Having no restraint or rules against using their RESOURCES to obtain more talent than small market teams on an unbalance playing field, but even when the league finally saw this unfair advantage where there is not supposed to be one, The new rules with SALARY Cap Laws, so what did those proud franchises who stand for the integrity of the Holier than thou NHL, they went out and paid the best lawyers/accountants to construct methods to return this unfair advantage to them through "directly circumventing the Cap. No that is worthy of a Blemish or a Black Eye!

jaff ‏@jaffryan · 44m44 minutes ago
@JeremyWGR @BNHarrington the same fan base that's had 97% attendance during one of the worst NHL seasons of all time? yeah, shame on us.
- MEBSabresFAN

97% maybe paid attendance. The season ticket holders that paid to go that didn't show up is what counts for Pegula. The food and beverage deals by Delaware North are guaranteed by Delaware North. They took a huge loss the past 2 years. The Sabres took a huge loss in the Sabre store purchases the past two years. The tickets were sold but the products sold not on ice aren't there. At the end of the day the Sabres and Delaware North took a hit.

At the end of the day it's 97% paid attendance not 97% attendance. The arena was 25-50% empty most of the season. Lost of loss sales.

no sign of the padawn or 89

is there a zombie situation on the left coast?
- homiedclown

Padawan is sucking on lollipops and twirling glow sticks and 89 well his attitude sucks and needed readjustment.

Mike Weber having a hissy fit about the fans, pure GOLD, this would be the one complaining and yet he got a penalty with 30 seconds left in the final period which led to the winning goal, awesome.

Seriously all those fans turning up to games when the team is playing so bad, is just amazing, I don't think the players have any right to whine at all.

Mike Weber having a hissy fit about the fans, pure GOLD, this would be the one complaining and yet he got a penalty with 30 seconds left in the final period which led to the winning goal, awesome.

Seriously all those fans turning up to games when the team is playing so bad, is just amazing, I don't think the players have any right to whine at all.
- MikeyOz

Weber was spot on in his comments. I would probably feel the same way. However, his ire should be directed at the league for rewarding losing.