ALBANY, N.Y. (WKBW) — Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that she has directed the New York State Liquor Authority to suspend enforcement of alcohol service hours on Sunday between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. to allow bars and restaurants to open early for USA Hockey's gold medal game against Canada.
“I have directed the State Liquor Authority to suspend enforcement with respect to alcohol service hours tomorrow between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., allowing bars and restaurants to open early so U.S. hockey fans can gather to watch the Olympic gold medal game.
This will apply only in areas not under a State of Emergency, as our top priority remains keeping people in communities impacted by the blizzard safe and off the roads.
I still remember watching the 1980 game as a college student at Syracuse University, working in a pizza shop. The whole place stopped and watched together. I hope a new generation of New Yorkers gets that same moment tomorrow.
Go U.S.A.!”
This announcement comes after Assemblyman Patrick Burke wrote a letter to Hochul and NYS Liquor Authority chair Lily M. Fan to ask them to temporarily lift the restriction that prevents bars from opening and serving alcohol before 10 a.m., as puck drop is scheduled for 8:10 a.m.
Burke called the adjustment the TAGE Rule, the Team America Game-Day Exemption, which he said was focused on allowing fans to come together for a once-in-a-generation moment.
"Allowing bars and restaurants to open two hours earlier for this single event would provide a modest but meaningful boost to small businesses while fostering the kind of positive civic engagement we should encourage. Neighborhood establishments should have the flexibility to open their doors so fans can safely and responsibly celebrate an extraordinary international event.
I respectfully ask that you authorize this one-day exemption immediately, joining governments on the other side of the border taking the same steps so Canadians can root on their team. New York has always risen to the occasion - let’s show that same spirit of flexibility and leadership tomorrow morning by giving fans the opportunity to gather, support Team USA, and be part of history together."
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Mayor Jim Diodati and Niagara Falls, New York, Mayor Robert Restaino have placed a friendly wager on the gold medal game.
- If USA wins: Diodati will send Restaino a case of maple syrup
- If Canada wins: Restaino will send Diodati 20 pounds of chicken wings
