As we are walking out of the arena tonight, dozens of fans are stopping our guest to congratulate him and wish him well. One asked for an autograph; another pleaded to have his photograph taken with him; later on at the Anchor Bar, two girls planted firm kisses and asked “where else but Buffalo would you get kissed by two girls?” 

So who is this guy getting the rock star treatment? His name is Steve Williamson. He is a sports road tripper from Orlando, Florida. And he is doing something that, to our knowledge, no one has successfully accomplished - attending a game of all 30 National Hockey League teams -  IN THIRTY DAYS! 

Much to the Sabres credit, when it comes to special visitors like this, the organization pulls out all stops in making a special occasion out of it. In this case, Marketing Director Rob Kopacz fixed Steve up with a first row club seat. He was then feted on the video board during one of the first period media timeouts. In addition Williamson was a guest on the MSG telecast during the second intermission with Robie and Kevin Sylvester. Earlier in the day, Channel 2 dropped by his hotel to do an interview; and of course Buffalo’s coolest and bestest alternative news weekly did a story on him as well. 

Tonight was Steve Williamson’s 27th stop on his amazing odyssey, and being the sports road trippers that we are, we were anxious to hook up with Steve to share our stories from the road and get his takes on his entire Buffalo experience. So what better a place than the historic Anchor Bar, where we covered the table with pitchers of Labatt’s Blue and a platter of the good stuff - half medium and half barbecued. Only when the food arrived did we learn that Steve is not a big wing enthusiast, likes the boneless tenders instead. But the beer? Oh yeah! 

As we talked, Steve admitted that this grueling schedule of travel and seeing games night after night is making all these experiences become a blur. Nonetheless, he had nothing but complimentary things to say about Buffalo, the Sabres, and HSBC Arena, first of all thanking the front office for all the special treatment. “Everyone here has been so nice since I arrived.” Steve got the pregame tour of the arena, and got to meet Managing Partner Larry Quinn before the game. Once he got the video board introduction early on, wearing his trademark “30 in 30″ Lightning jersey, it was instant recognition everywhere, with Sabres fans welcoming Steve to Buffalo and offering support and congratulations on the trip. One fan, an off duty Buffalo police sergeant, gave Steve his card and said “If you get in any trouble during your stay just give them this.”

Steve was very impressed with the arena. “I really like the atrium pavilion it is a signature part of the building.” He also made a note of the green floors on the 100 level with the white markings denoting various designed plays. Steve walked around all three levels of the building, snapping photos and taking notes of design elements which caught his eye. He also had nice words for the fans. “You don’t have to sell me on what great fans they are here in Buffalo. I have known that all along and it is such a great hockey town. I knew I’d be in for something special here.” Of course the place was rocking tonight, a great win for the home team and fans pouring out of the building on a happy note.  

One more thing Steve pointed out to us which really made us pay attention. “You guys have the cheapest concession prices in the NHL.” You mean among the cheapest right? “No… the cheapest, and it’s good stuff too.”After paying $13 for a beer at the ACC in Toronto the night before (and that’s in Canadian dollars, folks, which these days means what… about $22 U.S.?), it was nice to bring Steve back down to Earth.

By midnight or so they were shutting down the Anchor, Pete had to dash to make the last LRRT train back to South Campus, Steve had to catch some zzzzz’s before catching an early flight to Nashville, his 28th stop on Thanksgiving night, so we said our farewells and promised to hook up with Steve down in Orlando next March. That’s when the USRT heads to Florida for the NCAA basketball subregionals and some Grapefruit League baseball.

Steve Williamson maintains a web site and a blog titled 30 games in 30 nights. Drop him a line and say HI!

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