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1. Matt S. says:

   January 2, 2008 at 1:20 pm

   In my area of the tailgate (Camry lot, Pole 2), there was a rather large (20-30 I’d say) contigent of Penguins fans that had made the trip. And other than “PENGUINS FANS??? BOOOOOO!!”, I heard nothing that would be classified as derogatory or ill will towards them. I also did not personally see any acts of hostility towards Penguins fans in the stadium, but other reports are saying there were quite a few, especially in the lots.

   Myself? I had a Penguins fan hang out with us at our tailgate. He’s been a friend of mine for a while, and he made the 2.5-hour drive from Northern PA.
2. twoeightnine says:

   January 2, 2008 at 1:45 pm

   Kukoda and I ran into a Pens fan or two…
3. twoeightnine says:

   January 2, 2008 at 2:35 pm

   Newest Deadspin piece is up.

   http://deadspin.com/339498/our-on+site-report-from-the-ice-bowl
4. Pensblog says:

   January 2, 2008 at 3:15 pm

   haha it was a tough.
   But a lot of Pittsburgh fans can be douches too.

   It was a great game. We both have passionate fan bases.

   Solid game.
5. Jack says:

   January 2, 2008 at 3:46 pm

   I agree with Matt S. The only stuff I saw in the lots was harmless boos and the occasional “Penguins suck!.” I saw someone yell “Go back to Russia” at a guy in a Malkin jersey, but come on, that’s funny. And the Pens fans I met in the stadium were a friendly bunch. All the fans in our section, for both teams, seemed to get along just fine.

   Of course, when you’ve got 70,000 people there are sure to be some obnoxious drunks. Sucks that they ruined part of the experience for out-of-towners.

   Ooh, those cheesy potatoes hurt…
6. RJ says:

   January 2, 2008 at 5:30 pm

   PEOPLE WATCHED!!

   http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=ap-winterclassic-ratings&prov=ap&type=lgns

   HUZZAH!
7. Dave S. says:

   January 2, 2008 at 5:57 pm

   I’d like to see it played every four years, like the Olympics. Rotate it among Northern cities with outdoor stadiums, with Pittsburgh getting the next one.

   Well, I REALLY think it should be limited to Buffalo and Pittsburgh, but I’ll be fair…
8. Dave S. says:

   January 2, 2008 at 5:59 pm

   Oh, yeah, and I’d schedule it for the first weekend in February – away from the college bowl games in a pretty dead sports month.
9. Wolf says:

   January 2, 2008 at 7:50 pm

   Made the mistake of clicking on the Pensblog link… what a bunch of effing whiners. What did they expect? Hugs and kisses? Christ! I’ve been to my share of Sabres games… Sabres fans may get rowdy, but I’ve never witnessed the “classlessness” that those idiots described. You want classlessness… go to any sporting event in Philly! Or better yet, go see how Steelers fans treat someone who shows up in a Ravens or Browns jersey at a home Steelers game.
10. Wolf says:

    January 2, 2008 at 9:36 pm

    Hey – I just saw post #4 above. Now THAT’S classy. Glad to see that. And, for the record, my wife’s family is from PA and are all die hard Pittsburgh fans, including her, and so are all their friends and I love em all. My point was, you go to any away game in any city as a visitor, and you aren’t going to exactly be welcomed with open arms. As long as people weren’t throwing things or fighting,
11. Wolf says:

    January 2, 2008 at 9:38 pm

    sorry – hit submit prematurely… I was sayign, as long as people weren’t throwing things or fighting, I’d say a little ribbing is all part of travelling to an out of town game.
12. twoeightnine says:

    January 2, 2008 at 9:58 pm

    Not true Wolf, anytime you go to a Sabres at the Verizon Center you’re welcomed by the open arms of the empty seats.
13. dlove says:

    January 3, 2008 at 10:54 am

    I’ve invaded other teams barns as a Sabres fan many times. It’s alot of fun, but there is always the requisite whining on the internet about how classless our fans are the next day. Oddly enough I’ve never witnessed these problems in person. I guess some people just have to have something to cry about and the internet is the perfect place because no one can see what a pussy you are when you’re crying from behind a keyboard and monitor.
14. Talkin_Proud says:

    January 3, 2008 at 2:06 pm

    I didn’t hit Southwestern Blvd. until ~10am and I was thoroughly impressed how packed those lots were. Seeing that I wasted little time ducking across the street to park in the mud facing Abbott. However, I also felt stupid miscalculating Buffalo’s thirst for a 48 hr. party.

    After getting the chili going my girlfriend was delighted at the group of Pens fans near us having a great day. In the spirit of true Pittsburgh niceness my Dad, a ‘Burgh native, called to wish us a good game and asked if it would be too much for him to root for the Pens? That may sound silly to some but he appreciated the importance of this event to Buffalo.

    In turn, that solidified my mood for the rest of the day. This was a day to celebrate (your subject of choice) and winning was secondary. I was in such a good mood I would’ve high-fived Leafs fans.

    I wish I hadn’t read that Pensblog because everyone around us was great save for a couple of Crosby’s behind us in the 3rd period who relied upon being cute and snide instead of making their request like adults. Either my Ice Bowl beard scared them or they never noticed how festive my row was.
15. Wolf says:

    January 3, 2008 at 2:07 pm

    289 – point taken!
16. D.Murphy says:

    January 3, 2008 at 2:07 pm

    Petition to Keep the Winter Classic in Buffalo!

    http://www.buffaloisclassic.com

    Support the event. Support our City.
    Sign the Petition!

    Keep the Winter Classic where it should be…Buffalo, NY!
17. twoeightnine says:

    January 3, 2008 at 5:34 pm

    Sweet! An online petition! I.C. Weiner from New New York is on board.