If you were too slow or just too plain apathetic to score tickets to the “Winter Classic” hockey game between the Sabres and the Penguins this New Year’s Day, you’re not too late to be a part of the action. The Winter Classic House Party at HSBC Arena gives you a chance to feed off the energy of fellow hockey fans while viewing the game on the Jumbotron. Certainly, there are pros and cons to be weighed, so allow us to help you. At the real game: You’ll pay a lot more ($29-203), have a harder time seeing the game (an NHL rink is less than one-third the size of an NFL field) and be exposed to whatever Mother Nature serves up (though you’ll have a much cooler tailgate party and be a part of history, smashing the NHL record for single-game attendance by more than 15,000 fans). At HSBC: You’ll get the chance to see Sabres alumni skate circles around Buffalo’s finest (police and firefighters) in two 30-minute exhibition games and save a heap on parking (it’s $25 per car at Ralph Wilson). But you’ll essentially be watching television on a crappier screen (though it saves you listening to Bob Costas), still be hit up to buy merchandise and still be paying way too much for beer. So on second thought, maybe I won’t see you there. Maybe I’ll be at home, eating a hot pizza and wings, and tipping back a reasonably priced six-pack. Go Sabres!

Tuesday, January 1 at 11:30am. HSBC Arena, 1 Seymour H Knox III Plaza (855-4100/hsbcarena.com) $5