A little more than an hour before the opening ceremonies at the NHL Winter Classic in Buffalo, New York, the team that once played in the old arena is set to open its doors.
As part of a campaign that is aiming to get hockey fans in the city to enjoy the festivities, the Buffalo Sabres announced on Monday that they will be opening the new arena to the public on Dec. 17.
The new facility will be home to both the NHL and AHL, with a new outdoor rink set to be built on the site of the former home of the Sabres.
As a part of the initiative, the Sabres have also announced that it will be offering complimentary tickets to the opening ceremony.
The Buffalo Sabres, who have been in the National Hockey League since 1976, have always had a strong connection with the city of Buffalo, having played at the arena since 1975 and hosting the iconic Buffalo Sabres Hockey Hall of Fame in 2016.