BUFFALO, N.Y. — While many opted to stay home during the year’s first winter storm, others braved the snow to watch the Buffalo Sabres play the Detroit Red Wings at KeyBank Center on Monday.

Fans from near and far said the commute actually wasn’t so bad, considering some areas got nearly two feet of snow.

Some areas were a bit dicey for Sabres fans Matthew Jones and Amber Wurl from West Seneca, but the love of the game brought them to their destination.

What You Need To Know

  • The Sabres played the Red Wings Monday, hours after a winter storm hit the Western New York region

  • Despite travel advisories throughout the region, fans turned out for the game

  • The storm produced some benefits for Sabres fans, like cheaper tickets and less traffic

  • Even with the Sabres unable to secure a win, many fans say it was worth the trip through the storm

“A little iffy in spots, but nothing too serious," Jones said.

“No, it wasn’t too bad. We made it," Wurl said.

County storm crews did a good job of keeping the roads as clear as possible for those making further commutes.

“The roads were a little dicey in Lockport and Niagara County, but as soon as we got into Erie County, it was fine,” said Jessica Stockwell, a Sabres fan from Lockport.

Weathering the snowfall was absolutely worth it to some fans, who made some special memories at the game.

“It was for my son’s first game," said Joe Sarro, a Sabres fan from Hamburg. "I figured it wasn’t going to be a lot of people because of the weather, so we had to take advantage. Tickets were pretty cheap.”

Elizabeth Stillwageon and Ben Jackson came from Hamilton for the Bills game on Saturday, and stayed for the Sabres game.

“I was worried about this weather coming here for our little trip, but it actually was still nice,” Stillwageon said.

“This was her first live, in-person game, too,” Jackson said.

For veteran Gary Mosier from Lakeview, this was definitely a game to remember, as he received a jersey autographed by Sabres center Dylan Cozens.

“They honored me for my service for the military, and I got a signed jersey, which was pretty nice,” Mosier said. “They did a great job for me.”

Traveling safely was the number one priority for those coming to see the game. A few fans said they saw some drivers who didn’t have such great commutes, as they witnessed cars stuck on the road.

With the Sabres unable to secure the win, losing 3-2 to the Red Wings, do fans still believe it was worth the trip, especially during the year’s first big snowstorm?

“A hundred percent,” Stockwell said.

“Absolutely. We’re die-hard Sabres fans, born and raised,” Sarro said. “So anytime we can support the team, we will.”