Buffalo Sabres: 'Fan Appreciation Night' returns April 26

Contests, 50 percent off at Sabres Store, family-friendly food prices and fan giveaways highlight Sabres' final home game of regular season

The Buffalo Sabres have announced the return of their popular "Fan Appreciation Night" to mark the team's final home game of the 2012-13 regular season against the New York Islanders on April 26. The night, presented by ADPRO Sports and Moe's Southwest Grill, will feature a wide array of fan contests and promotions that will ensure every fan goes home with a special giveaway. Fans will also be able to take advantage of a 50-percent-off-all-merchandise sale at the Sabres Store and family-friendly prices on arena concessions throughout the night.

Right now, fans can enter to win one the first of two grand prizes being given away on "Fan Appreciation Night": a trip for two to Disney World, sponsored by AAA. Two winners will be randomly selected on Tuesday, April 23, and will each receive tickets to the Sabres-Islanders game on April 26. At the game, the two ticket-winners will participate in a contest to see who wins the trip to Disney World. To enter this contest, fans can sign up at www.Sabres.com.

The night's other grand prize is a year's supply of gas, being given away by NOCO to celebrate the company's 80^th anniversary. Two fans attending that night's game will be randomly selected to participate in a contest that will decide the winner of the year's supply of gas.

Two fan-favorite giveaways will also make their return to "Fan Appreciation Night" in 2013. Sabres players will again give away their game-worn jerseys to select season-ticket holders after the game in the "Jersey Off My Back" promotion. Another returning favorite is the post-game balloon drop, in which 2,000 balloons will be dropped from the arena's rafters after the game's final buzzer. Five hundred of the balloons will contain prize slips that can be redeemed that night.

The "7^th Man of the Year" contest will also return this year. Fans can submit nominations for the person they believe to be the Sabres' best and most passionate fan in a 500-word essay that can be submitted on www.Sabres.com. A winner will be selected on April 23 and will receive two tickets to the game, the chance to watch warm-ups from the penalty box, VIP rope line passes, recognition during the game and a post-game jersey presentation from the fan's favorite player.

A new component to this year's "Fan Appreciation Night" is a chance for fans watching the Sabres broadcast on MSG to win prizes throughout the game. To participate in this contest, fans can scan a unique QR code that will be displayed on their TV screen during both intermissions and after the game. In addition to scanning the QR code, fans can enter to win by accessing a unique website URL that will be displayed with the QR code. Prizes for the broadcast portion of "Fan Appreciation Night" include a 40" TV from Stereo Advantage, an iPad Mini from AT&T and an autographed Steve Ott jersey.

Fans attending the game at First Niagara Center will be treated to a night full of special discounts and giveaways. The Sabres Store sale will be available on all merchandise throughout the night. Additionally, fans can take advantage of family-friendly pricing on selected concessions items throughout the arena. Small popcorns, hot dogs and 16 oz. sodas will be available for $2, in addition to a $5 combo package that includes a souvenir 32 oz. soda and a hot dog.

Special handouts and giveaways, sponsored by Moe's Southwest Grill and the Buffalo News, will also be passed out to fans as they enter and leave the arena for the night's game.