‘”It’s always cool when there’s the pregame ceremonies,” captain Jack Eichel said after the 4-3 overtime thriller over Columbus. “Obviously, there’s sort of a relationship with a few of those guys that were out there. Whenever the Pegulas are in the building and you have a big ceremony like that, I think the energy is a little bit better and I think it brings out the best of us.”‘
Archives for February 14, 2020
The Wraparound: Buffalo Sabres 4, Columbus Blue Jackets 3 (OT)
‘”We know why he’s the rookie of the year in the National Hockey League for us, no questions asked,” Krueger said. “He showed it again tonight. We missed him dearly. It was fabulous to have him back as a person and a player.”‘
Sabres exec on Pegulas’ engagement, jersey misspellings, fan concerns
‘I can’t speak to why people say it. I just think, for me, it’s so important to clarify that it couldn’t be further from the truth. They care so deeply about this team. They want it to be better in every way. They understand the fan base’s frustration and we’re all in this together. The message from Terry and Kim consistently has been, “We’re all in this thing together; let’s figure out how we can make it better on ice, off-ice, the fan experience, every part of this organization. Let’s work through that.” I talk to them on a daily basis, both Terry and Kim. I know Jason and other executive leaders do as well.’
Ex-Sabres owner Tom Golisano gets standing ovation on 2000s Night
‘”It was really special,” Quinn said of the fans’ reaction as he spoke to the media during the first intermission. “I’ve got to say that Tom Golisano went into something really for the love of the Western New York community. He’s always been a big fan of it. There were times he didn’t get that (love) and I was so happy for him because he really deserves it.”‘
Ex-Sabre Jason Pominville says he’s not retired, hopes to play in NHL this season
‘“I’m still in good shape,” Pominville said. “I still work out, still skate. I think now I might be able to be a little less selective, but for me it wasn’t worth going somewhere far where you have to go somewhere on a one-year deal, leave, either bring the family – then you get traded at the deadline because you’re on a one-year deal and the family’s stuck on the West Coast, you’re on the East Coast. It just wasn’t worth it for me.”‘
Victor Olofsson returns in grand fashion, leads Sabres to overtime win
‘“He was a little bit off here and there,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said of Olofsson early. “But once he found his legs – and he found his hands – it was just outstanding to have him back. We know why he’s the rookie of the year in the National Hockey League for us, no questions asked. He showed it again tonight. We missed him dearly.”’
Former Sabres captain Jason Pominville not retired, would like to play again
‘Family concerns prevented Pominville from pursuing more opportunities. He doesn’t want to uproot his wife and two children from their Clarence home.’
Friday’s Columbus Coverage
Sabres 4, Blue Jackets 3 | Markus Nutivaara ties score late, but Jackets fall in overtime (Columbus Dispatch)
Blue Jackets rookie Liam Foudy making fast impression on coach John Tortorella (Columbus Dispatch)
Sabres 4, Blue Jackets 3| The 3-2-1 breakdown (Columbus Dispatch)
Photo gallery (NHL.com)
Final: Sabres 4, Blue Jackets 3 (OT) (BlueJackets.com)
Olofsson scores 2 in Sabres’ 4-3 OT win over Blue Jackets
‘“It’s big for my confidence,” Olofsson said. “I didn’t feel great the first couple periods, so I needed some time to find my game. But right now, it feels great.”’
Sabres win OT thriller on 2000s Night, 4-3 over Columbus
‘It was the blue and gold’s second overtime win over Columbus this month.’