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Buffalo (WBEN) -- More than 10,000 fans turned out Monday night to watch the Sabres scrimmage at First Niagara Center.
The fans ranged from young children to long-time season ticket holders. Several of those fans stopped by the arena's concession stands for pizza, hot dogs, and hamburgers before heading to their seats.
People like Zach Ruppert of Cheektowaga, who says lockouts are just part of the business of sports.
"That's between the players and the owners. I don't there was any ill will. I don't think they were trying to do harm to the fans," he says.
Rich Collignon of Buffalo agrees. "Even though this nonsense is over, it never led me astray. I was a season-ticket holder for five years," he says.
Collignon also purchased a mini pack ticket package on Monday.
Another fan, Tasha Clark from Wyoming County, says she's only been a Sabres fan for a few years, and is among those just excited to have the sport back.
"I never thought I would like it because I told people that I would hockey was stupid because they just beat each other up, but I love it," Clark says.
And Don Zich of Tonawanda thinks Sabres fans will forget about the lockout once the season gets started on Sunday against the Flyers.
The fans filled up the first two levels of First Niagara Center, and watched a scrimmage that produced a 1-1 tie before the White team won it in a shootout.