Two in the Box

Judging by the yawning sections of seats throughout KeyBank Center these days, it’s no secret that the Sabres aren’t exactly a hot ticket. You can’t blame fans for staying away from 13 (going on 14) years without postseason action, especially when the Sabres have been so inconsistent on home ice. 

If you’re looking to scratch your hockey itch, a road trip may be just what you need. Western New York locals can always partake in Niagara and Canisius University home games without venturing too far from home. Not only are those games affordable, but both teams tend to have one or two good weekend visitors per year that are well worth the price of admission. But the real gems lie slightly further away, though many can be accomplished in a day trip. 

Niagara Ice Dogs

I can’t give a strong enough recommendation for an Ice Dogs title. It’s a quick trip over the border and not only is their arena gorgeous, but it’s located right in the center of St. Catharines, meaning you won’t need to venture far for food or drink before or after the game. It’s an extremely manageable trip and a great junior arena to boot. Scope out their schedule for a good matchup (Porter Martone and the Brampton Steelheads are in town in March) and find your way up for a game. They even have a few weekend matinees on the schedule that would be well worth taking advantage of. 

Erie Otters

It’s too bad that Matthew Schaefer got injured because he would’ve made a jaunt to Erie that much more enjoyable. The Buffalo-to-Erie route is an easy one so long as the weather cooperates. You can make it down there in the neighborhood of about 60 minutes if you really push it. The Otters play in a similarly impressive facility to the Ice Dogs and you can get in for about $20. If you plan accordingly, you can catch a really good OHL matchup, get a look at some of the top prospects for this year’s draft, or both. 

Brantford Bulldogs

This trip is a bit longer, around two or two-and-a-half hours depending on traffic. Brantford’s building is going to be a lot cozier than what you’d find in Erie or St. Catharines, which will give it a bit more of the old Canadian junior vibe. Brantford makes for a good trip for prospect viewing as 2024 Sabres pick Ryerson Leenders is the Bulldogs’ starter. 

One thought: string together a game in Brantford with a game in Kitchener or Guelph. You’ll need a bit of scheduling luck to make the weekend work, but all three cities are well within driving distance of Buffalo and would only require one night in a hotel or AirBnB from Friday into Saturday. 

Cornell

Let me open this with a caveat that doesn’t fully track with the January publication of this post. Find an early-season Cornell home weekend to attend and take a two-night stay in Ithaca. It’s a super fun town and you can walk just about anywhere you wish if you’re willing to brave the hills. A good fall weekend would make for an awesome hockey trip. 

But even if you go up in the colder months, you’ll still get to take in the atmosphere of a Cornell home game. Lynah Rink is on the smaller side but the crowd is right on top of the ice and while it’s only about 60 years old, has some of the character of an older barn. Cornell is an ECAC school, so you’ll get better conference matchups than Canisius or Niagara would have to offer, but keep your eyes peeled for their non-conference games. They hosted North Dakota this year, which would’ve made for a very fun weekend trip. 

Penn State

If you play your cards right, you can catch a blue blood NCAA hockey program for a weekend stay in State College. Pegula Ice Arena is still quite new and among the more impressive venues in college hockey. Penn State is also close enough that the drive won’t feel daunting. Lodging is easier to find and more affordable on a weekend when the football team isn’t in town, but if you’re looking for a college sports double dip, a hockey/football weekend at Penn State would be hard to top. 

Michigan

Yost Ice Arena is one of hockey’s cathedrals and should be a bucket list item for any fan. Like with the Nittany Lions, you’re better served on lodging availability and costs if you pick a non-football weekend in Ann Arbor. But you’d get the full Michigan experience if the Wolverines were playing in the Big House. 

Yost seats right in the neighborhood of 6,000 fans and just celebrated its 100th birthday in 2023. (It’s only been home to the hockey team since the 60s). It’s an incredible venue and home to one of college hockey’s most successful and storied programs. Find a weekend to get to Ann Arbor and check Yost off your hockey bucket list. 

If you’re not interested in spending a full weekend in Ann Arbor, find a weekend when the schedule aligns and catch an OHL game in Sarnia or London on your way up to Michigan and then watch the Wolverines on Saturday. Or vice versa. As the standard bearer for the OHL, London is worth a trip on its own, but also has a fairly ideal location for a Friday pit stop on your way to Ann Arbor. 

Other Colleges to Consider

Lansing is a slightly further drive than Ann Arbor but it isn’t prohibitive. You could even hit Michigan and Michigan State in the same weekend if you’re lucky. The Red Wings are also a fine option if you’re making that trip. Notre Dame is probably right on the line for driving distance, but Compton is a very cool arena. I’m sure it’s worth the trip for Notre Dame fanatics. Perhaps not as much for others. 

Columbus

Columbus has been one of my favorite NHL cities to visit. Even if the Sabres stink, it can be fun to follow the team for a road game. But if you’re looking to escape the Sabres, pick a weekend when the Blue Jackets are home and make the trip down. Bonus points if you find a good weekend in October or the spring when the weather will be warmer. Columbus has a ton to offer and you can easily build your trip around a game. Short North and German Village are my personal favorites and you’ll come home with a burning envy for the Arena District too. My advice: find a Friday game, grab some pregame drinks and dinner in Short North and hit up the North Market for lunch on Saturday while exploring the rest of the city. You might even be able to get down for an Ohio State hockey game if the schedules align.

Pittsburgh

Even with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, I might opt for a summer trip to PNC Park over a winter drive to see the Penguins. But as this is a hockey post, I’ll stick to the topic at hand. As stated, going to Pittsburgh to see Crosby play should be a priority. He’s still got some gas in the tank so take advantage to see one of the greats play at home before he retires. Further to that, Pittsburgh is a ton of fun. I’ve found something new to do every time we’ve gone down. Plenty of good breweries to choose from and a lot of good restaurants. It also feels much different than Buffalo because so much is built into downtown. It makes for a good trip regardless of the sporting event. 

Toronto

This one could be tricky if you’re thrifty with ticket prices. You’ll have to pay up if you want to see the Leafs, but there’s something to be said for going to a Maple Leafs game on a Saturday night. You can keep the trip hockey-centric with a visit to the Hockey Hall of Fame and with a nearby junior game should the schedule allow for it. A trip to Toronto means you’re centrally located to Guelph, Kitchener, Brampton and Oshawa, with St. Catharines an option on the way home. Toronto is also close enough to make a daytime visit to the Hockey Hall of Fame with a Leafs game in the evening without staying overnight. But there’s more than enough to keep you busy up there if you stay for one or two nights. 

With options in our backyard and just a few hours away, you’re pretty spoiled for choice if you’re planning a hockey road trip from Buffalo. Or if you’re just desperate to escape the Sabres for a day or two.