Buffalo Wild Wings at Devonshire Mall in Windsor is benefiting from a strong tournament by Team Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship.
"It's been great this year having it in Canada, so it's in our time zone," says Ian Woodrow, a manager at the bar and grill, noticing more business this year than during last year's tournament. "Big difference too, [Canada] was playing in Europe last year as well so it was really difficult showing the games, a lot of people watch from home. Not a lot of people are getting up at the crack of dawn to come here and watch them."
Woodrow is expecting a busy night for staff with Canada taking on Russia for the gold medal. "Well Canada-Russia, you can't ask for a better final so we're expecting to be pretty busy tonight," says Woodrow. "It's been pretty much a packed house for all the games. We've had almost a full house every time they're playing."
Bartender Elaine Byrne at Mr. Biggs Eatery and Sportsbar in Belle River says they typically see larger crowds when a big game is on. "It's a varied crowd that comes in, varied age groups. Everybody knows everybody in Belle River," says Byrne. "We would like to have a full-house. Maybe 100 people, that would be good."
Canada has gone undefeated to reach the gold medal game and hasn't won gold in five years at the world juniors.