Scoreboards, noise and Ice Girls
The St. Pete Times Forum has received some tweaking since the last time the Sabres visited. There's a new LED scoreboard set above center ice, and like Buffalo, the screen is dynamic.
The more obvious change, however, is a new audio system. Holy cow, it's deafening in here. Seriously, it's of the ear-damaging decibel level. Can't wait to get outside and stand next to a jet engine or jackhammer or something that makes less noise.
As usual, there's a large contigent of fans wearing blue and gold, so noise should come when both teams score.
Oh, and like Florida, Carolina and Long Island, Tampa has Ice Girls. Based on the travels this season, the Sabres might be one of the last to hire some. Should they?
---John Vogl
The Sabres are the talk of the town and much of that talk will be here. Sabres beat writers John Vogl and Mike Harrington get you behind the scenes, and columnists Bucky Gleason and Bob DiCesare provide perspective with frequent postings on the team and the league.
I have seen cheerleaders at at several Charlotte Checkers games and they are attractive,but quite unnecessary. They are great at greeting the fans at the gates, but management has to struggle to get them involved after the opening faceoff. Money spent on cheerleaders would be better spent on other promotions or better yet, a better product on the ice.
Posted by: Bob in South Carolina | November 05, 2007 at 09:32 AM
There is no place in hockey for cheerleaders. Enough said!
Posted by: Dave F | October 30, 2007 at 09:44 AM
They had cheerleaders in the early 1990s, if I recall correctly. I remember they would come out at every stopage of play and dance to "Pump the Jam" or some dance song. I don't remember what they were called... Sabrettes?
Posted by: Blogger, I barely know her! | October 29, 2007 at 10:59 AM
I like them for a number of reasons: 1. Ice girls are a lot hotter than NFL Cheerleaders. 2. Unlike NFL Cheerleaders, Ice girls don't get in your way while the game is actually going on. (Although if they were out on the ice during game play, that could be entertaining too) 3. It would be nice to look someone attractive out there for once.
Posted by: Joe | October 28, 2007 at 02:30 PM
They had some cheerleaders for the playoffs last year...I remember seeing them on Versus. I personally think it's pretty stupid--even though, #1, my stepsister was one of them, and #2, if they asked me to do it, I definitely would (hey, I'm not gonna lie...I like attention and rooting for the Sabres). BUT--that aside--it's not cool and I don't like it. =)
Posted by: Heather in Charleston, SC | October 27, 2007 at 10:52 PM
NO! No cheerleaders in hockey. That's ridiculous.
Posted by: Adam | October 27, 2007 at 09:10 PM