Who They Are
The Blade Gang consists of nine boys from South Buffalo: Sean Maloney, Jack Ellis, Danny Maloney, Alex Pawlik, Ian Macvie, Jackson Soto, Luke Soto, Tommy Maloney, and Michael Bollenbacher. They are childhood friends and former hockey teammates aged 18 to 24. The group says the idea came from all of them collectively.
How It Started
The Blade Gang originated at a cookout at the Maloney residence before Game 1 of the playoffs. Jackson Soto was first spotted blading through South Buffalo suburbs in full uniform. The other boys then got into full hockey gear and piled into Maloney's van. They were dropped off at a pizza place on South Park Avenue, where they began drawing attention before heading to the arena. As they traveled down Perry Street toward the arena, the momentum exploded with crowds recognizing them.
The Dummy and Viral Moment
The dummy, nicknamed Bob or Neely, wears a Boston Bruins Cam Neely jersey and was created by Sabres fans Nick Mastrocovo and Mike Lewandowski. Mastrocovo found Bob on Facebook Marketplace and drove to Rochester to pick him up before Game 1. The first encounter between the Blade Gang and the dummy was unplanned and organic, with the Blade Gang circling and attacking the dummy instinctually upon seeing the Bruins jersey. The moment was captured on video and went viral across national outlets.
Expansion and Recognition
After the initial viral moment, the Blade Gang traveled to Boston for Games 3 and 4, supporting the team even without tickets. They received remarks from notable figures including commentator Paul Bisonette, Dave Portnoy, and Bruins head coach Lindy Ruff, who said he would like to play with them. The group expanded to approximately 15 friends strong by Game 3. For Game 2, the dummy creators dressed as referees to officiate the fights.
Why They're Going Viral
The Blade Gang captured the hockey world's attention through their unique pregame ritual combining rollerblading, full hockey gear, and staged fights with the Bruins dummy. Videos of their activities spread rapidly across social media and major sports outlets. Their authenticity, youthful energy, and genuine passion for supporting the Sabres resonated with fans and earned endorsements from prominent sports personalities.
Game 5 Plans
The full Blade Gang crew is expected to return to Buffalo for Game 5 at KeyBank Center on Tuesday, April 30. They will officially bang the drum ahead of the game. The dummy, nicknamed Neely, will return and be suited up for the occasion. The group expressed confidence they would help rock out the arena. 
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