| Buffalo Blizzard | |
| |
| Operated | 1992–2001 |
| Arena | The Aud & HSBC Arena |
| Based in | Buffalo, New York |
| Colors | blue, purple, black, and white |
| League | NPSL II |
| Division Championships | 1996–97 & 1997–98 |
The Buffalo Blizzard was a soccer club that existed from 1992 to 2001 in Buffalo, New York.
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History
The team was originally owned by the Knox brothers who owned the Buffalo Sabres at the time,[1] and additionally by 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 previously owned the Buffalo Stallions of the original Major Indoor Soccer League.[2]
The team's attendance was always in the top five 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.[3][4] The team colors were blue, purple, black, and white, and the team mascot was a dog Spyke who rode a four-wheeler. The team never won a playoff series.
The NPSL ceased operation in 2001 and several of its remaining teams formed the Major Indoor Soccer League, but the Blizzard declined to participate and folded at that time.
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 | Did not qualify |
| 2000–01 | 40 | 22 | 18 | 513 | 464 | .550 | 2nd Amer | Lost Quarterfinals |
Coaches
1992–1994: 
Trevor Dawkins
1994–1996: 
Jim May
1996–1997: George Fernandez
1997–1998: 
Carlos Salguero
1998–1999: Jim May
1999–2001: Paul Kitson
Players
Rudy Pikuzinski 1992-2000- Randy Pikuzinski 1992-2001
Year by year average game 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
References
- ^ Gleason, Bucky (May 22, 1996). "Sabres Founder Seymour Knox Dead at 70". Associated Press. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
- ^ "Blizzard Is Bought by Group Led by Bellanti". The Buffalo News. August 21, 1996. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
- ^ Bailey, Budd (February 26, 1993). "Blizzard slides past Spirit in overtime Buffalo 2 1/2 behind after 17-14 win". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
- ^ Brown, Doug (October 28, 1995). "Spirit's memories of Blizzard consist of embarrassing defeats". New York Daily News. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
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This page was last edited on 25 June 2023, at 10:29