Buffalo Blizzard
Buffalo Blizzard
Operated1992–2001
ArenaThe Aud & HSBC Arena
Based inBuffalo, New York
Colorsblue, purple, black, and white
LeagueNPSL II
Division Championships1996–97 & 1997–98

The Buffalo Blizzard was a soccer club that existed from 1992 to 2001 in Buffalo, New York.

History

The team was originally owned by the Knox brothers who owned the Buffalo Sabres at the time,[1] and additionally by the Riches who owned the minor league baseball Buffalo Bisons. During their last five years of existence, the team was owned by John Bellanti who had previously owned the Buffalo Stallions of the original Major Indoor Soccer League.[2]

The team's attendance was always in the top five of the league until its last season, and they had their record high attendance year in 1993–1994 season with an average attendance of 8,435 fans. The major stars of the team were the Pikuzinski brothers, Rudy and Randy, who rank sixth and ninth on the all-time points list.[3][4] The team colors were blue, purple, black, and white, and the team mascot was a dog Spyke who rode a four-wheeler. The team never won a playoff series.

The NPSL ceased operation in 2001 and several of its remaining teams formed the Major Indoor Soccer League, but the Blizzard declined to participate and folded at that time.

Year-by-year record

YearGPWLPFPAPCTFinishPlayoffs
1992–93402317570503.5753rd AmerLost Quarterfinals
1993–94401921499515.4753rd AmerLost 1st Round
1994–95402020579552.5004th AmerLost 1st Round
1995–96402119562586.5254th AmerLost Division Semifinals
1996–97402119545469.5251st NorthLost Conference Semifinals
1997–98402119495504.5251st NorthLost Conference Semifinals
1998–99402218430510.5502nd NorthLost Conference Semifinals
1999-00441925495617.4323rd CentDid not qualify
2000–01402218513464.5502nd AmerLost Quarterfinals

Coaches

1992–1994: England Trevor Dawkins
1994–1996: United States Jim May
1996–1997: United States George Fernandez
1997–1998: Argentina Carlos Salguero
1998–1999: United States Jim May
1999–2001: England Paul Kitson

Players

Year by year average game attendance

  • 1992/93: 7,068
  • 1993/94: 8,435
  • 1994/95: 7,283
  • 1995/96: 6,364
  • 1996/97: 7,974
  • 1997/98: 7,834
  • 1998/99: 7,068
  • 1999/00: 6,587
  • 2000/01: 4,635

References

  1. ↑ Gleason, Bucky (May 22, 1996). "Sabres Founder Seymour Knox Dead at 70". Associated Press. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Blizzard Is Bought by Group Led by Bellanti". The Buffalo News. August 21, 1996. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  3. ↑ Bailey, Budd (February 26, 1993). "Blizzard slides past Spirit in overtime Buffalo 2 1/2 behind after 17-14 win". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  4. ↑ Brown, Doug (October 28, 1995). "Spirit's memories of Blizzard consist of embarrassing defeats". New York Daily News. Retrieved October 25, 2021.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.