This was a good win for the program last night. Sam Reinhart had a heck of a game, setting up the game tying goal for Evander Kane in the third period, what a nice calm play. Our kids looked great last night (after a shaky 1st period) at the Centre of Air Canada in Toronto.
I loved how the game took on a chippy edge towards the end of the third and into overtime. Nasim Kadri’s takeout of Eichel in OT elicited a forceful response from Zach Bogosian and Kaner and I thought it was great how they went after Kadri and let him know they weren’t happy about the hit. Bogosian had been going at it with the Toronto bench all night, you could hear them chirping each other as he skated past Rob Ray who was between the benches.
Did anyone else see Gionta’s soccer header to Foligno in the second period?? That was incredible, I loved it.
Chad Johnson also had a strong finish to his game after a rocky first period in which he was not really at fault on the goals he gave up. He looked sharp and had his pads squared up at every opportunity he saw to finish up the game.
Going into the shootout we had an abysmal record, losing the last 6 shootouts, or something like that. This one ended in our favor with Sam Reinhart channeling old TV with an around the world move to put the Sabes ahead for good. It was a sweet move.
You have the largest fan support of any American market here in Buffalo with the highest rates of Regional Sports network viewership and the NHL does nothing to nurture and grow what should be one of the best rivalries in the NHL.
I want to comment on the NHL schedule – How was this only the second time that we played the Leafs since October!? This is ludicrous to me. It absolutely makes no sense to me that we don’t play them more. The NHL talks about rivalries and generating fan interest and then they have their marquee franchise in Canada’s largest city being the worst team in the league who nobody wants to watch. Why is that? Because they are playing boring hockey and there is no compelling reason to watch them. Meanwhile, you have the largest fan support of any American market here in Buffalo with the highest rates of Regional Sports network viewership and the NHL does nothing to nurture and grow what should be one of the best rivalries in the NHL! It’s pathetic and just another example of know-nothing Gary Bettman and his putrid stewardship on the league. When you think it’s more important to have hockey in Phoenix and Miami than to nurture rivalries in actual hockey towns, your priorities are flawed.
When you think it’s more important to have hockey in Phoenix and Miami than to nurture rivalries in actual hockey towns, your priorities are flawed.
A couple of other notes:
- Jack Eichel has been playing with an edge since the McDavid game in which he appeared to be eclipsed by the guy who was drafted ahead of him- guess what? He wants to be the best and is ticked off that people walked away from that game saying McDavid was better. He’s playing angry now and I love it.
- We have taken 5 out of the last 6 points.
- Eichel reached 20 goals in his Rookie season, Reinhart will be next to get to 20. Two 20 goal rookies??? I would say that that is improvement over last season.
- The Rangers are in town tonight and King Henrick did not make the trip.
Go Sabres!