The Buffalo Sabres found themselves outdoors for the first time since 2018, this time against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Heritage Classic.
Sabres home game?
It was already odd that the Sabres were hosting a game deep into the heart of Maple Leaf’s country. This game was made even weirder due to the Toronto forward presentation of the game.
It felt like a normal Sabres home game against the Leafs except this time the band playing during the intermission dawned Maple Leaf’s jerseys, and the Toronto goal song even played after each Leaf tally.
Even the great one Wayne Gretzky weighed in on the home ice feel for blue and white.
“That will make people a little restless in this neighborhood,” said Gretzky after Vinnie Hinostroza’s second goal.
While home games this season haven’t had the largest attendance, it is still criminal that the Sabres lost a home game for this. It was an incredible experience, but I just don’t get how Buffalo was the one “hosting” the Heritage Classic.
First Period
With the snow flying and the wind whipping, the Buffalo Sabres found themselves juiced to start this game. A 7-2 shot advantage to start the affair could have been due to the Flint Tropics-themed dress code for the players.
This first frame ended without any goals, as Toronto began to find their footing as the period went on.
Second Period
The scoreless drought did not long as Ondrej Kase got the Maple Leafs on the board less than a minute in. A lost faceoff by Casey Mittelstadt resulted in a Toronto shot and a Kase rebound goal. Another outdoor game, another Sabres deficit.
Before the Leaf’s goal song stopped playing, Peyton Krebs scored his second goal in as many games. The young gun received a pass from Hinostroza and blasted a one-timer past the outstretched glove of Petr Mrazek.
The Sabres were the ones who responded quickly after a goal for a change; that didn’t last long.
Again, another quick score as Auston Matthews sneaks one under the arm of Craig Anderson. A goal the Sabres netminder would want back gave Matthews his 45th of the season.
The scoring took a quick break until the halfway point in the period as Vinnie Hinostroza “scored” to tie the game at two apiece. The forward attempted a pass across the middle of the ice, and Toronto defensemen T.J. Brodie deflected it into his own net.
This was massive for the blue and gold, as their offense was beginning to struggle to find a foothold.
The high-scoring period ended, and each team was struggling on the powerplay. Toronto had the highest-ranked powerplay coming into this game, yet they struggled against this Buffalo penalty kill unit.
Third Period
The final frame was split into two half for fairness due to it being an outdoor game.
The first half saw Hinostroza notch his second of the game to give the Sabres their first-ever outdoor game lead.
A sharp angle shot beats Mrazek and the Sabres stun the Toronto faithful and take control of the game.
A change in sides in the third period saw the goalies flip ends; then controversy arrises.
Peyton Krebs receives a pass to the slot from behind the net, and as he shoots the puck, the net comes off. The inital ruling was no goal, but after a brief meeting with the referees the overruled the play resulting in a Sabres goal.
My thoughts on the play were that it was no goal, and Gretzky’s statement that it was intentional was incorrect. Mrazek was on the post in an “rvh” position, and every goalie does that same motion to get from there to the slot. Unfortunately, due to the ice not being permanent, the moorings came loose and the net flew off.
Anyways, a call went into Buffalo’s favor and they now had a two-goal lead.
A late-game dirty play by Matthews to the head of Rasmus Dahlin results in some chaos around the net. Each team was a man down, and Toronto pulled their goalies with just a few minutes left.
That’s until Tage Thompson netted his 24th of the year on the empty net. Buffalo had a three-goal lead against another playoff team.
Dylan Cozens‘ hit on Matthews resulted in some chaos with Michael Bunting. Cozens stood up for his teammate and the Sabres appear to be a real team.
They showed up tonight with the world watching them.
Can fans be excited
Yes.
The previous game against Vegas had all the fanfare of a return Eichel and its drama. This team not only showed up then, they continued that success to this game.
Buffalo is known for showing up one game, then disappearing for their next five.
This team is growing into their own, and have their own identity. They are growing by the game, and can truly win any game they are in right now.
Players like Mattias Samuelsson, Peyton Krebs, and Dylan Cozens are doing all the right things. They are making positive impacts every night and causing other teams trouble.
Let’s enjoy this last month, because it is the start of something special.
What’s next
The Sabres have three days off to rest, as they head to Edmonton to face the Oilers this Thursday.
Craig Anderson wins his 301st game and ties Mike Richter for all-time wins.
Comment down below how you felt this game went, and what has changed leading to the Sabres succeeding.
2 Responses
Sabres are moving on from the Eichel drama. Our young guys are playing with heart ❤️ and soul for their fans. It was obvious at the Outdoor game. Dahlin was on fire, Thompson was at his finest and Cozens well.. he continues to demonstrate what young heart, talent and hard work can bring to a team. And as for Sabres fans, we were LOUD at the Heritage classic!!!!! Together everyone achieves more! Let’s go Buffalo!