And as time goes by, perhaps I'll be, at the Aud with you, in 1983.
title: The Aud-tumn Fall (October)
involves: Tom Barrasso/Ron Francis
rating: PG
notes: The old and original home of the Sabres is slated to be knocked down this coming October, and though it's just been standing becoming ever-more decrepit for more than a decade, even if I've gone by it countless times thinking the other side of the highway was more interesting, seeing the building being pulled apart in preparation is somehow sadder.
There are more stories with these two. Consider this a prologue, of which the notes are longer. *sorry!*
disclaimer: Tom Barrasso (seen here on the left being sold into feudalism under drafted by Scotty Bowman) made his NHL debut less than a month after signing with the Sabres, at the Buffalo/War Memorial Auditorium against the Hartford Whalers on October 5, 1983, at the age of 18. It was the beginning of two seasons which for him would include the Vezina, the Calder, the Jennings, the All-Star Team, and the All-Star Game. Ronnie Francis was with the Hartford Whalers at the time. Whatever either of them think or do about the other is absolutely and utterly without source or verification.
dedication: to the WNYerBuffalonians out there, and may the memories of the Aud lead to a non-city-burning Stanley Cup banner in the rafters of the building across from it...soon.
"The Aud is being torn down," I said, "finally."
"Oh? Since when do you get sentimental?"
"I'm old. Are you supposed to forget your first time, now?"
"You had some good nights in Buffalo, Tommy."
Memory; memory off the ice; memory that anything including him was always extending the night.
"Yes we did." Just one more sign that that Tom Barrasso no longer exists. Hasn't existed, really, since those days in the snow on the ice in a building where all I could see was the highway to Toronto - fate's daily reminder with the metaphor I-190 - and wanting Ronnie Francis, and having Ronnie Francis - was just a reflection of the glory.
involves: Tom Barrasso/Ron Francis
rating: PG
notes: The old and original home of the Sabres is slated to be knocked down this coming October, and though it's just been standing becoming ever-more decrepit for more than a decade, even if I've gone by it countless times thinking the other side of the highway was more interesting, seeing the building being pulled apart in preparation is somehow sadder.
There are more stories with these two. Consider this a prologue, of which the notes are longer. *sorry!*
disclaimer: Tom Barrasso (seen here on the left being sold into feudalism under drafted by Scotty Bowman) made his NHL debut less than a month after signing with the Sabres, at the Buffalo/War Memorial Auditorium against the Hartford Whalers on October 5, 1983, at the age of 18. It was the beginning of two seasons which for him would include the Vezina, the Calder, the Jennings, the All-Star Team, and the All-Star Game. Ronnie Francis was with the Hartford Whalers at the time. Whatever either of them think or do about the other is absolutely and utterly without source or verification.
dedication: to the WNYerBuffalonians out there, and may the memories of the Aud lead to a non-city-burning Stanley Cup banner in the rafters of the building across from it...soon.
"The Aud is being torn down," I said, "finally."
"Oh? Since when do you get sentimental?"
"I'm old. Are you supposed to forget your first time, now?"
"You had some good nights in Buffalo, Tommy."
Memory; memory off the ice; memory that anything including him was always extending the night.
"Yes we did." Just one more sign that that Tom Barrasso no longer exists. Hasn't existed, really, since those days in the snow on the ice in a building where all I could see was the highway to Toronto - fate's daily reminder with the metaphor I-190 - and wanting Ronnie Francis, and having Ronnie Francis - was just a reflection of the glory.
