This is the best time to be a fan of your team

[Mango]

Just taking a breather from the results.

This is the pinnacle of sports fandom.

Against all odds, an Angels in the Outfield like comeback to win the division out of nowhere. Totally capable of winning the second round and getting to the Conference Champs.

Look at the Bills or Hurricanes. Every loss is a disaster. Every win isn't good enough. You enter the season as Stanley Cup or Super Bowl.

Being a fan of a team rarely gets better than this Sabres run.

Going into next year the expectations will be, win the division, make the conference final, push for a cup. The losses won't be the same and the wins won't be as sweet.

Soak it in.

This is the very best sports fandom gets for the fans.

[GASabresIUFAN]

6 minutes ago, Mango said:

Being a fan of a team rarely gets better than this Sabres run.

My Hoosiers?

[Taro T]

9 minutes ago, Mango said:

Just taking a breather from the results.

This is the pinnacle of sports fandom.

Against all odds, an Angels in the Outfield like comeback to win the division out of nowhere. Totally capable of winning the second round and getting to the Conference Champs.

Look at the Bills or Hurricanes. Every loss is a disaster. Every win isn't good enough. You enter the season as Stanley Cup or Super Bowl.

Being a fan of a team rarely gets better than this Sabres run.

Going into next year the expectations will be, win the division, make the conference final, push for a cup. The losses won't be the same and the wins won't be as sweet.

Soak it in.

This is the very best sports fandom gets for the fans.

Very 2006ish.

[HoosierDaddy]

1 minute ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

My Hoosiers?

That was weird. My IU fandom has always been basketball-centric, and the football success come from nowhere two years ago. Completely from nowhere. I was in Bloomington for the 2002 Final Four run and it was absolute madness. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

5 minutes ago, HoosierDaddy said:

That was weird. My IU fandom has always been basketball-centric, and the football success come from nowhere two years ago. Completely from nowhere. I was in Bloomington for the 2002 Final Four run and it was absolute madness. 

I was in Bloomington in 87 (f’ I’m getting old).  I also went to the final here in 02 against Maryland.  However, I can honestly say, the Hoosiers run to the Natty this year was the most exciting season in sports I can remember.  I went to the Big 10 Championship and the Peach Bowl.  (PS I never missed a home football game when I was a student - they were good - Bill Mallory was the coach).
 

If the Sabres can make a miraculous run to the Cup this season, it just may top the Hoosiers run, maybe!

Edited May 13 by GASabresIUFAN

[Mango]

8 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

My Hoosiers?

I mean there are other examples.

But these years, like this with the Sabres are far and dew between. The expectations are permanently raised by this group.

It won't be the same next year.

As far as Buffalo sports fandom goes think back to the early Allen years vs the last. Or 05-06 v 06-07.

A year like this for any team is the best it gets for a fanbase.

[Pimlach]

12 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Very 2006ish.

Very 1975’ish.  

if only they called penalties in 1975 like they do in 2026.  The Sabres would have won the Cup in 5 years.

[Taro T]

Just now, Pimlach said:

Very 1975’ish.  

if only they called penalties in 1975 like they do in 2026.  The Sabres would have won the Cup in 5 years.

Yes.  Good call.  Those early years, and especially that one, were magical.

[elijah]

Very well spoken. It’s a beautiful ride with no expectations, doesn’t get much better than that.

Here’s to hoping it lasts longer 🍻 

[GASabresIUFAN]

Just now, Mango said:

I mean there are other examples.

But these years, like this with the Sabres are far and dew between. The expectations are permanently raised by this group.

It won't be the same next year.

As far as Buffalo sports fandom goes think back to the early Allen years vs the last. Or 05-06 v 06-07.

A year like this for any team is the best it gets for a fanbase.

Close - Indiana did something crazy the year before last and went 11-2 and we all went nuts.  Then Cignetti and Mendoza topped it.  Now he has expectations, but they are good expectations.

The 05/06 Sabres were much like this team and it some ways they topped themselves the next year winning our only President’s Cup.  Regardless of how this season ends, I’m so excited for next season.  I’m so excited to see what full years of Östlund and Helenius do next season when combined with further maturity of Doan and Benson.  Unlike 05/06, this team looks to have more permanence as a contender.  Yes, they’ll have expectations, but it’s also exciting to have those expectations.  It means we aren’t a joke anymore.

[spndnchz]

Meh