If your lifelong dream is to see Lindy Ruff just absolutely lose his mind on Ville Leino, then clear your calendar— the Buffalo Sabres are holding open practices all next week.

Beginning on Monday, Jan. 14, you can swing down to the First Niagara Center to watch the boys get ready for the lockout-shortened season. The organization announced late Friday that the team will hold a night practice and scrimmage on Monday beginning at 5:30 p.m. (admissions and parking are free, and the concession stands will be open—if you missed sweet, sweet arena nachos as much as you’ve missed the Sabres, I wouldn’t blame you). The announcement even noted that food and beverage will be “...available at family-friendly prices,” which is great and all, but doesn’t that mean that the prices are normally family-unfriendly? Interesting.

The open practices will continue on Tuesday with 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. sessions stretching through Friday. Then it’s off to the races! Or so it would seem, since the schedule is not quite out yet.

The Sabres would also like to remind you, the fan, that they appreciate you, and that their “...Fan Appreciation Sale, which offers fans a 50% discount on all merchandise…begins Monday at 10 a.m. and will last the duration of training and through the team’s first home game of the regular season.”  Nothing says “we’re sorry for taking away the sport you love yet again” like “come buy all the gear that, until about a week ago, we thought we were going to have to write off as a total loss.” Professional sports! So warm and generous.

Want to buy season tickets or special packages? The arena box office will open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Saturday, Jan. 19, the box office will be open from 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. Individual game tickets will go on sale Tuesday.