Local Fans Gather At Restaurants for Super Bowl

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By Kenneth Wong

Story Published: Feb 6, 2012 at 12:09 AM MDT

Story Updated: Feb 6, 2012 at 2:09 PM MDT

BILLINGS - For most of Sunday afternoon, millions of Americans focused their attention on any TV set, as the New York Giants battled against the New England Patriots for Super Bowl XLVI (or 46, for those unfamiliar with Roman Numerals).

Here, in Billings, the situation was no different, but some chose to ditch the comforts of their own home and enjoy what the local bars and restaurants had to offer.

Joey Nichols and Dan Schiff are lifelong friends, knowing each other since they were in the 7th grade, many years ago. However, Sunday offered a challenge in their long-term friendship: their team loyalties.

"I got a lot of buddies from New York, I've visited New York, and I think it's their time to rise up," said Joey.

"New England all the way! This guy's blind," said Dan.

Dan and Joey are only two of dozens of people and families at west end sports bar and restaurant Buffalo Wild Wings. Some of the people there arrived at noontime Sunday.

"I thought it would be very busy, so I got here early, and turns out it wasn't as busy as I thought it'd be," said Brycen McCurry, who lives in Billings.

Workers at the restaurant said they believe about 75% of the seats were filled on Sunday for Super Bowl. Still, the non-packed restaurant did not douse the enthusiasm of some diehard fans, like Dan.

"Eli Manning is a joke, and he always will be a joke," said Dan.

Bravado or not, everyone at the restaurant said Sunday they love watching the game in public precisely because of the atmosphere.

"It's good to see who goes for who, and at certain points of the night, you're gonna see different people rooting for different people, and it's always good to see who your competition is," said Joey.

The game started at around 4:00 p.m., but fans already began making predictions on who will win, and by how much, about an hour before the game began.

"Giants by two touchdowns," said Joey.

"Patriots by four touchdowns," said Dan.

"I hope it maybe comes down to a big field goal or a big touchdown pass. That'll be awesome," said Brycen.

"Maybe something in the 20s, but it's all gonna come down to the fourth quarter," said one patron.

Dan, however, was very confident of his prediction. So confident, in fact, that he offered this should the Patriots lose.

"All you people. I'll buy you all beers!"

Dan's prediction did not pan out, however, as the Patriots lost at the end of the fourth quarter, 21-17.

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joey said on Friday, Feb 17 at 12:54 AM

We snuck out before the game was over lol

wdw said on Monday, Feb 6 at 9:58 AM

to dan, whose the joke now? eli s not only good, he's the king.again ny rules!

MTdave said on Monday, Feb 6 at 9:02 AM

Why does KULR 8 always go to Buffalo Wings? Arent there any other bars in Billings - its good, free advertising if you can get......

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