This Day in Sabres History :: May 20

[PASabreFan]

May 20, 1975

Rick Jeanneret is even moister than usual as the temperature in the press box at the Aud reaches 118 degrees during Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals in the midst of an unusual spring heat wave in Western New York. At ice level of the air-condition-less Aud, fog starts to form in the third period as the Philadelphia Flyers themselves turn up the heat and threaten to take a 3-0 series lead. Eleven fog breaks are needed to allow the players to skate around the ice to help clear the smoke on the water. To add to the surreal atmosphere, a bat from the Auditorium belfry swoops in and out of the fog until Jim Lorentz swats the creature out of midair, killing it, earning the nickname "Batman." "It was like playing in a graveyard," said defenseman Jerry Korab.

 

The Flyers score twice early on Gerry Desjardins, but the Sabres rally for two quick ones before Philly takes the lead again. The Sabres trail 3-2 after one, prompting coach Floyd Smith to yank Desjardins and replace him with Roger Crozier, who hadn't played since Game 1 of the semifinals against Montreal. Philly still leads by one, 4-3, halfway through the third period when proverbial stay at home defenseman Bill Hajt scores a rare goal. In overtime at the 18:20 mark, Rene Robert takes a Gilbert Perreault dump pass in the corner and one-times a shot through the haze that beats Bernie Parent and puts the Sabres back in the Stanley Cup finals.

[mphs mike]

"Robert .......Rene Robert, in OOOOOOOOOVVVVERTIME!!!!!"

 

 

I suspect that the future will put Tallinder and McKee goals on the same plateau as Hajt's!