BfloGirlSports: Buffalo teams in February 2016

credit: Wikimedia Commons

Buffalo Sabres

• Wednesday, February 3 – on the road against the Montreal Canadiens (7 p.m.)
• Thursday, February 4 – at home against the Boston Bruins (7 p.m. ET)
• Saturday, February 6 – on the road against the Bruins (7 p.m.)
• Tuesday, February 9 – at home against the Florida Panthers (7 p.m. ET)
• Thursday, February 11 – on the road against the Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m.)
• Friday, February 12 – at home against the Canadiens (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 14 – at home against the Colorado Avalanche (12:30 p.m.)
• Tuesday, February 16 – on the road against the Ottawa Senators (7:30 p.m.)
• Friday, February 19 – on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 21 – at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins (12:30 p.m.)
• Wednesday, February 24 – on the road against the Anaheim Ducks (10:30 p.m. ET)
• Friday, February 26 – on the road against the San Jose Sharks (10:30 p.m. ET)
• Saturday, February 27 – on the road against the Los Angeles Kings (11 p.m. ET)

Buffalo Bandits

• Saturday, February 6 – at home against the New England Black Wolves (7:30 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 14 – on the road against the Georgia Swarm (2 p.m.)
• Friday, February 19 – on the road against the Toronto Rock (8 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 20 – at home against the Swarm (7:30 p.m.)
• Friday, February 26 – on the road against the Saskatchewan Rush (8:30 p.m.)

Niagara University Purple Eagles Ice Hockey

• Friday and Saturday, February 5-6 – on the road against American International College (Friday – 7 p.m., Saturday – 3:05 p.m.)
• Friday, February 12 – at home against Mercyhurst University (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 13 – on the road against Mercyhurst (7:05 p.m.)
• Friday, February 19 – at home against RIT (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 20 – on the road against RIT (7 p.m.)
• Friday and Saturday, February 26-27 – at home against the Air Force Academy (both games 7 p.m.)

Canisius College Golden Griffins Ice Hockey

• Friday and Saturday, February 12-13 – on the road against Bentley (both games 7:05 p.m.)
• Friday and Saturday, February 19-20 – at home against Sacred Heart (both games 7:35 p.m.)
• Friday, February 26 – at home against Robert Morris (7:35 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 27 – on the road against Robert Morris (7:05 p.m.)

UB Bulls Men’s Basketball

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/
Salvatore Vuono

• Tuesday, February 2 –on the road against Northern Illinois (9 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 6 – at home against Eastern Michigan (3:30 p.m.)
• Tuesday, February 9 – at home against Toledo (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 13 – at home against Ohio (2 p.m.)
• Tuesday, February 16 – on the road against Akron (time TBA)
• Saturday, February 20 – at home against Bowling Green (3:30 p.m.)
• Tuesday, February 23 – at home against Kent State (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 27 – on the road against Ohio (time TBA)

UB Bulls Women’s Basketball

• Wednesday, February 3 – at home against Ohio (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 6 – at home against Ball State (1 p.m.)
• Wednesday, February 10 – on the road against Toledo (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 13 – on the road against Bowling Green (4 p.m.)
• Wednesday, February 17 – at home against Eastern Michigan (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 20 – at home against Miami (Ohio) (1 p.m.)
• Wednesday, February 24 – at home against Bowling Green (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 27 – on the road against Ohio (time TBA)

Niagara University Purple Eagles Men’s Basketball

• Friday, February 5 –  at home against Rider (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 7 – at home against Iona (2 p.m.)
• Friday, February 12– on the road against Saint Peter’s (9 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 14 – on the road against Rider (2 p.m.)
• Thursday, February 18 – at home against Marist (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 20 – at home against Fairfield (3 p.m.)
• Thursday, February 25 – on the road against Canisius (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 28 – on the road against Monmouth (5 p.m.)

Niagara University Purple Eagles Women’s Basketball

• Friday, February 5 – on the road against Fairfield (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 7 – on the road against Quinnipiac (2 p.m.)
• Friday, February 12 – at home against Marist (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 14 – at home against Rider (2 p.m.)
• Friday, February 19 – at home against Monmouth (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 21 – at home against Manhattan (2 p.m.)
• Thursday, February 25 – on the road against Canisius (5 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 27 – on the road against Siena (2 p.m.)

St. Bonaventure University Bonnies Men’s Basketball

• Wednesday, February 3 – on the road against Saint Joseph’s (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 7 – at home against Saint Louis (2 p.m.)
• Wednesday, February 10 – on the road against Fordham (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 13 – at home against George Washington (4 p.m.)
• Wednesday, February 17 – on the road against LaSalle (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 20 – on the road against Dayton (noon)
• Wednesday, February 24 – at home against Duquesne (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 27 – at home against UMass (4 p.m.)

St. Bonaventure University Bonnies Women’s Basketball

• Wednesday, February 3 – on the road against VCU (7 p.m.)
• Wednesday, February 10 – at home against Saint Louis (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 13 – on the road against UMass (time TBA)
• Wednesday, February 17 – at home against George Washington (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 20 – on the road against LaSalle (1 p.m.)
• Wednesday, February 24 – on the road against Fordham (TBA)
• Sunday, February 28 – at home against Duquesne (1 p.m.)

Canisius College Golden Griffins Men’s Basketball

• Friday, February 5 – at home against Iona (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 7 – at home against Rider (3 p.m.)
• Thursday, February 11 – on the road against Siena (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 14 – on the road against Saint Peter’s (3 p.m.)
• Thursday, February 18 – at home against Fairfield (8 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 20 – at home against Marist (3 p.m.)
• Thursday, February 25 – at home against Niagara (8 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 28 – on the road against Iona (4 p.m.)

Canisius College Golden Griffins Women’s Basketball

• Monday, February 1 – at home against Iona (7 p.m.)
• Friday, February 5 – on the road against Manhattan (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 7 – on the road against Monmouth (2 p.m.)
• Friday, February 12 – at home against Rider (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 14 – at home against Marist (2 p.m.)
• Friday, February 19 – at home against Manhattan (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 21 – at home against Monmouth (2 p.m.)
• Thursday, February 25 – at home against Niagara (5 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 27 – on the road against Marist (7 p.m.)

Five Things to do in February 2016

Visit the Botanical Gardens for Lumagination
credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

What does February mean to you? For me, it means one month closer to spring! Find something new to do in February at one of these events.

Visit the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, located at 2655 South Park Ave. in Buffalo, and experience Lumagination. The annual light show takes place Wednesdays through Saturdays, February 3-6, 10-13 and 17-20, from 6-9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays and 6-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Photographers can bring their tripods to the Gardens for Photographers Night on Tuesday, February 2 from 6-9 p.m. (tripods not allowed on other nights).

M&T First Friday returns for 2016 at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, 1285 Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo. Look for more information on this event next week.

The Buffalo Auto Show takes place Thursday through Sunday, February 11-14 at the Buffalo-Niagara Convention Center, 153 Franklin St. in downtown Buffalo. In addition to the top new cars for the year, kids can visit with some of the Buffalo Bandits (Friday) and meet Spiderman and Captain America (Saturday and Sunday), while their parents can relive the Bills’ glory years with an appearance by the “Bermuda Triangle,” Jim Haslett, Fred Smerlas and Shane Nelson.

“Polar Bites” is now Arctic White Out, a new fundraiser for the Buffalo Zoo. Taking place at the Buffalo-Niagara Convention Center on Thursday, February 18, this 21-and-older event will feature live music, a basket auction, cocktails and hors d’oeurves and more. Find out more here.

The Labatt Blue Pond Hockey Tournament returns to Buffalo RiverWorks, 359 Ganson St. in Buffalo, for the ninth annual tournament. The three-day format will feature 144 teams and takes place Friday through Sunday, February 19-21.

BfloGirlTravel: 2016 Buffalo bus trips with Know How Tours

Fontana Boathouse
credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

Know How Tours is another great company to travel with by bus, and in 2016 a few of their day trips will be focused on Buffalo. Here’s a quick look at each:

• Buffalo’s Outer Harbor – on Thursday, June 30, explore the great outdoors with visits to Tifft Nature Preserve, Wilkeson Point and Buffalo Light House Park, lunch at Pearl Street Grill & Brewery and a visit to Flying Bison Craft Brewery. Cost for the trip is $105.
• Buffalo – The Way You Haven’t Seen Before! – on Wednesday, July 27, start the trip at Fontana Boathouse, followed by a trip to City Hall and lunch at Pearl Street Grill & Brewery. After lunch, take a two-hour sightseeing tour with Buffalo River Historic Cruises and stop at Silo City. Cost for the trip is $109. I took this tour a couple of years ago and it’s very informative – and a camera is a must!
• Buffalo’s Happening – on Tuesday, August 16, take a guided tour of Shea’s Performing Arts Center, followed by lunch at the Hamlin House. After lunch, a guided Buffalo City Highlights tour shows off places like the medical corridor and new canal-side developments, followed by a 90-minute cruise with Grand Lady River Cruise. Cost for the trip is $109.

There are plenty of other trips offered by Know How Tours this year, including multi-day trips to New Orleans, Mackinac Island and Montreal – find out more about these and other tours at www.knowhowtours.com. 

BfloGirlTravel: 2016 Buffalo bus trips with The Way To Go Tours

HarborCenter is featured on the Best of Buffalo Tour
credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

I’m a big proponent of bus trips and bus travel –it’s inexpensive, fun and someone else gets to do the driving! I’ve been to four MLB baseball stadiums, Watkins Glen International, the QVC Studio and many more places on buses, and I’m always on the lookout for new places to explore.

If you’re looking to do some local exploring this spring, The Way To Go Tours has a couple of Buffalo-based bus trips on their schedule:

• The Best of Buffalo – check out HarborCenter, Silo City and 500 Seneca, have lunch at Chef’s, take a bus tour through the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus and visit Blue Moon Brewery in this one-day tour on Monday, February 22. Cost for the trip is $89.
• Gourmet Buffalo at Easter – get ready for the holiday with this tour, starting at the Broadway Market and moving on to the European Sausage Shop, Nickel City Cheese, lunch at Scharf’s, D’Volio, Paula’s Donuts and Landie’s Candies. Trip takes place Wednesday, March 23 and the cost is $99.

Find out more about these and other trips, including day trips to the Lilac Festival in Rochester and Corning Museum of Glass, at thewaytogotours.com. 

2016 Buffalo Bandits schedule

credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

• Saturday, January 9 – at home against Calgary - 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, January 16 – on the road against Colorado - 9 p.m.
• Saturday, January 23 – at home against Toronto - 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, January 30 – on the road against New England - 7 p.m.
• Saturday, February 6 – at home against New England - 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, February 14 – on the road against Georgia - 2:05 p.m.
• Friday, February 19 – on the road against Toronto - 8 p.m.
• Saturday, February 20 – at home against Georgia - 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, February 26 – on the road against Saskatchewan - 8:30 p.m.
• Saturday, March 5 – on the road against Vancouver - 10 p.m.
• Friday, March 11 – at home against Rochester - 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, March 25 – at home against Vancouver - 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, April 2 – on the road against Georgia - 7:05 p.m.
• Saturday, April 9 – at home against Rochester - 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, April 15 – on the road against Toronto - 8 p.m.
• Saturday, April 16 – at home against Toronto - 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, April 23 – on the road against Rochester - 8 p.m.
• Saturday, April 30 – at home against New England - 7:30 p.m.

Chillabration @ Canalside – January 15-18, 2016

credit: Wikimedia Commons/Jina Lee

Chill out during the long holiday weekend down at Canalside Buffalo, which is hosting the inaugural Chillabration, Friday through Monday, January 15-18. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday.

Chillabration will include children’s activities, a local vendors market, live music and food and beverage options. On Friday, saddle up for a Wild West Theme Skate on The Ice @ Canalside, and on Saturday, Catholic Health will host a Bonspiel from 1 to 6 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, Paint The Town will host a painting class in the Winter Pavilion from 2 to 4 p.m. both days. On Monday, the Buffalo Knit-Whits will hold beginner knitting lessons from 1:30 to 4 p.m., and Skate Great and BlueCross BlueShield of WNY will host kids’ ice activities from 1 to 3 p.m.

A full schedule when available can be found and tickets for events can be purchased at www.canalsidebuffalo.com.