Top Stories of 2007

Here are my top stories of 2007 for Buffalo sports in no special order

-Buffalo goes Sabres crazy. You could not go anyway without seeing people wearing Sabres gear. 10,000 people standing outside the HSBC Arena to watch the playoff games on large screens. It felt like the Bills of the early 90's.

-Sabres win President's Trophy. First time in franchise history they had the best record in the NHL.

-Sabres lose in Eastern Conference finals for second straight year.

-Briere and Drury leave as free agents on the first day of free agency.

-Bills have third straight losing season, still have not made the playoffs since 1999 season.

-Mary Levy steps down as Bills GM

-JP Losman loses starting job to rookie third round pick Trent Edwards.

-Willis McGahee shoots off mouth, and then is traded to Baltimore

-Bandits lose in Eastern Division finals in OT

-Bandits trade 2006 NLL MVP Chugger to Calgary for Sean Greenhalgh, who tears his ACL in a preseason game and will miss the 2007 season.

-NLL cancels season, then comes to an agreement with the PLPA and uncanceled the season.
Because arena dates were already released the schedule is goofy and Bandits get an extra home game.

-Bisons miss playoffs for second straight year, first time while affiliated with the Cleveland Indians.

-Bisons celebrate successful 20th season at Dunn Tire Park

-UB wins five games, which is good for second in the MAC Eastern Division. One win short of the six needed to make it to a bowl game.

-Niagara Purple Eagles win MAAC Championship but must play in the NCAA play in game, which they win.

-Queen City FC wins the Eastern Conference of the NPSL in their first season. They fall short in the championship game. They also won a game in the US Open Cup.

Looking forward to 2008 and the top stories. I can see a few already.

-NHL Winter Classic

-John Tavares passes Gary Gait for the NLL's all time leading goal scorer, giving JT the goals, assists and points records.

-New GM named for Bills.

And a few stories I would like to see in 2008

-Niagara wins back to back MAAC Championships

-Niagara hockey makes the NCAA Tournament

-Bandits break championship drought.

-Sabres win first Stanley Cup.

-Bisons make playoffs

-Cleveland Indians decided to pass on Columbus and sign agreement with Bisons.

-UB Football makes its first trip to a bowl game, making the International Bowl and thousands of UB fans follow the team to Toronto.

-Bills make the playoffs.