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.
History The team was originally owned by the Knox brothers who owned the Buffalo Sabres at the time, 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.
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. 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