October 27, 2008
Nine Factors That Convinced USA Hockey to Host the 2011 World Junior Championship in Buffalo

• Boosts U.S. economy by guaranteeing hundreds of hours of work for guards at the US-Canadian border, as thousands of our neighbors to the north put their lives on hold for two weeks to watch teenagers play hockey.

• Will replace medal-round shootouts with barrel riding contests over Niagara Falls.

• The Sabres will allow Nathan Gerbe to stay behind in Buffalo for the two weeks and suit up for the U.S. side under an alias.

• Sabres promise that they will draft the tourney MVP, as they did with Minnesota's Thomas Vanek after the 2003 Frozen Four.

• Gives USA Hockey the chance to reclaim the good name of "Americans" in western New York after the Rochester AHL club struggles mightily in 2008-09.

• Wonderful postgame Sushi bars. (Just kidding, wings for everyone.)

• Assured steady flurries throughout, similar to the Winter Classic, even at indoor venues.

• Canada agreed to support bid in exchange for two Bills home games in Toronto.

• Sandwiched between 2010 hosts Saskatoon and Regina and 2012 hosts Calgary and Edmonton, Buffalo will seem like Palm Springs.

From the Archives ... Twelve Lies Overheard in Buffalo (2003 Frozen Four)