‘On the ice, there were highlight-reel, tension-inducing plays by the foundational players who are the new faces of the franchise. Tage Thompson, a 24-year-old who switched to center in camp, scored his team-leading 38th goal of the season to tie the score 1-1 in the third period on a cross-ice pass from a rejuvenated Jeff Skinner.’
Archives for April 2022
Mike Harrington: Last Call goes to ohhhhhhhhhh-vertime for Rick Jeanneret
‘No, it wasn’t Brad May or Jason Pominville or Maxim Afinogenov, Danny Briere, Rene Robert or the countless other memorable goal scorers Jeanneret has called over the years in overtime. But it was a wholly appropriate way to finish.’
Sabres roar back, win in OT to give Rick Jeanneret thrilling sendoff
‘“Having everybody celebrate RJ this season meant they celebrated 50 years of Sabre hockey and the history,” Granato said prior to Friday’s 3-2 overtime win against the Chicago Blackhawks in the season finale at KeyBank Center. “So everybody celebrating allowed our guys to kind of immerse and feel that – feel the history and the pride in this organization and our fan base and the Sabre logo.’
Sabres make roster moves ahead of season finale, send help to Amerks
‘The Amerks, who thumped the Utica Comets 8-1 in Friday’s regular-season finale at Blue Cross Arena, needed the victory to stay alive the AHL North Division playoff chase. Their defense has been decimated by injuries and recalls, so Fitzgerald’s arrival was critical.’
Bills’ Kaiir Elam attends Sabres game with Josh Allen & Dawson Knox, receives standing ovation (Watch)
‘After arriving in Buffalo and checking out the team’s facilities, Elam got to go out and see Buffalo’s other pro team, the Sabres. Elam was joined by franchise quarterback Josh Allen and tight end Dawson Knox. With a little less than five minutes remaining in the first period, the Sabres’ PA announcer introduced Elam to the crowd.’
Sullivan: Rick Jeanneret’s true gift? Bringing out every Sabres fan’s inner child
‘Just think how many Buffalo fans grew up that way, tilting their heads toward the radio and thrilling to the French Connection, or Phil Housley or Pat LaFontaine. Jeanneret has been there almost from the start. For any fan under 60, he has been a lifelong companion, an echo from childhood.’
Saturday’s Chicago Coverage
Chicago Blackhawks finish the season 28-42-12 with a 3-2 OT loss to the Buffalo Sabres (Chicago Tribune)
Philipp Kurashev hopes to unlock his potential with the Chicago Blackhawks next season (Chicago Tribune)
5 takeaways from the Chicago Blackhawks’ 3-2 OT loss in their season finale: ‘It just leaves bad taste in your mouth’ (Chicago Tribune)
Blackhawks’ loss to Sabres finally ends miserable, humiliating season (Chicago Sun Times)
Blackhawks notebook: Sam Lafferty, with extension in hand, will be ‘big part of the rebuild’ (Chicago Sun Times)
10 observations: Blackhawks put a bow on 2021-22 season (NBC Sports Chicago)
Recap: Blackhawks Fall to Sabres in Overtime, 3-2 (Blackhawks.com)
Analysis: Blackhawks Close Out Trying Season with OT Loss in Buffalo (Blackhawks.com)
Photo gallery (Blackhawks.com)
Photo gallery (Buffalo News)
Mittelstadt’s OT goal leads Sabres past Blackhawks, 3-2
‘“I think that kind of sums up the whole year for us,” Mittelstadt said. “Didn’t have it probably in the first two periods, and the third we just came out, played hard, stuck together. Pretty proud to be part of a a group like that.”’
Sabres’ Malcolm Subban belts out epic U.S. national anthem rendition before game against Blackhawks
‘A fan then asked Shaw if he had ever tried singing the national anthem, and Shaw responded with an extremely relatable answer: “In the shower only.”‘
Sabres 2022 offseason outlook: Free agents, contracts, draft picks, roster entering this summer
‘Adams was in the same position last offseason and elected instead to give out the “Buffalo Special” — a bunch of one-year contracts under $1 million. It was a smart move because the team wasn’t going to be competing for a Cup and still in rebuild mode. Plus, I can’t imagine many players were chomping at the bit to sign in Buffalo. However, this offseason is different. The team is in a much better position than people expected, especially after getting Tuch and Peyton Krebs in the Eichel trade. The Sabres are now a promising destination and the team has the money to make a potential big splash in free agency.’