Buffalo Blizzard
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| Buffalo Blizzard | |
 |
|
| Operated | 1992 - 2001 |
| Arena | The Aud & HSBC Arena |
| Based in | Buffalo, New York |
| Colors | blue, purple, black, and white |
| League | NPSL |
The Buffalo Blizzard was an indoor soccer team based in Buffalo, New York. The team was a member of the now defunct NPSL from 1992 to 2001. From 1992-1996, the team played at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, and they moved to HSBC Arena in 1996 where they played until they folded along with the NPSL.
The team was originally owned by the Knox brothers who owned the Buffalo Sabres at the time and 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 owned the Buffalo Stallions of the original MISL.
The team's attendance was always in the top 5 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. The team colors were blue, purple, black, and white, and the team mascot was a dog Spyke who rode a 4-wheeler. The team never won a championship.
[edit] Notable players
- Bill Andraki
- Mauro Biello
- Ralph Black
- Bobby DiNunzio
- Paul Doughtery
- Tony Meola
- Doug Miller
- Randy Pikuzinski
- Rudy Pikuzinski
- Jamie Swanner
- Carlos Salguero
[edit] Year-By-Year Record
| Year | GP | W | L | PF | PA | PCT | Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992-93 | 40 | 23 | 17 | 570 | 503 | .575 | 3rd Amer | Lost Quarterfinals |
| 1993-94 | 40 | 19 | 21 | 499 | 515 | .475 | 3rd Amer | Lost 1st Round |
| 1994-95 | 40 | 20 | 20 | 579 | 552 | .500 | 4th Amer | Lost 1st Round |
| 1995-96 | 40 | 21 | 19 | 562 | 586 | .525 | 4th Amer | Lost Division Semifinals |
| 1996-97 | 40 | 21 | 19 | 545 | 469 | .525 | 1st North | Lost Conference Semifinals |
| 1997-98 | 40 | 21 | 19 | 495 | 504 | .525 | 1st North | Lost Conference Semifinals |
| 1998-99 | 40 | 22 | 18 | 430 | 510 | .550 | 2nd North | Lost Conference Semifinals |
| 1999-00 | 44 | 19 | 25 | 495 | 617 | .432 | 3rd Cent | Out of Playoffs |
| 2000-01 | 40 | 22 | 18 | 513 | 464 | .550 | 2nd Amer | Lost Conference Semifinal |
[edit] Year by year 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
