Updated:
St. Paddy’s Day. Buffalo, N.Y.
Patrick Kane country inside Jack Eichel's town.
First Ward. Valley.
Doesn’t matter. Buffalo has been going all-in on St. Patrick’s Day for nearly 200 years.
To say that Buffalo takes seriously it’s NHL, NFL, NCAA, womens professional hockey and pro lacrosse teams, and, it’s Irish heritage seriously is an understatement.
Although they constitute two distinct neighborhoods, the First Ward and the Valley have long been recognized for their Irish legacy instilled upon the area during the city's formative years. They began arriving in the 1820s, fleeing the poverty of Ireland and chasing the dream of prosperity in the new world. In New York state, they found work constructing the Erie Canal and Buffalo's designation as its terminus provided a logical reason for them to remain. For after building the canal, many of them found work in the industries related to shipping.
As many of the early Irish immigrants had lived in the proximity of water in County Kerry near the Shannon River and in county Cork near the Lee River, it only seemed logical, for them to settle near Lake Erie, Cazenovia Creek, Cayuga Creek, and the Niagara River. As industry relating to the manufacturing and transcontinental shipping of goods began to cluster along the basins and slips constructed at the end of the canal and along the Buffalo River many Irish immigrants began constructing homes there.
The initial wave of the 1820s was supplanted by a second wave of Irish immigrants in the 1840s and 1850s. Fueled by famine resulting from the failure of the potato crop, the Irish left their homeland. Destitute, many arrived here via the Erie Canal and took up residence amid the squalor of the waterfront. Along the docks, the railroads and the factories, they lived in the neighborhoods known collectively as the First Ward.
Rogues Hollow occupied the area south of Ohio Street.
Uniontown constituted the area at Catherine and Elk Streets where the Union Furnace Company stood.
Hakertown, located on farmland originally owned by Jonathan Sidway, was bounded by Elk, Sidway, Louis and South Streets. Located close to the river, it took its name from the Hake, a fish common in the waters off of county Cork.
To the east of the Ward stands the visible barrier of railroad lines. Separated by the tracks, this area became known as The Valley, as the only way in became via bridges over the tracks: Prior to their removal to the area near William and Fillmore Avenue, the northwest corner of The Valley, near the intersection of Elk and Van Rensselaer Streets, served as the location of the first stock yards in the city. As noted by the presence of St. Valentine's RC Parish, the area contained a sizable Polish population in addition to the Irish. The population of the neighborhood peaked at almost 5.000 people before the Irish migration to South Buffalo in the 1920s.
To dispel the belief that the Irish were the first to reside in the area, it was actually the Germans who held title to most of the land.
William Durstein, a German member of the Buffalo Creek Reservation Land company, was amongst the first to develop the land for residential use. On land adjacent to the city line, he constructed a large number of homes, creating a tight knit German community surrounding St. Paul's Reformed Church.
Widespread development of the area was slow in occurring prior to 1900. It was a well noted fact that the area was afflicted by flooding each spring, as both Cazenovia and Buffalo Creeks often went over their banks. Not until the creeks were straightened at the turn of the century did the problem dissipate, clearing the way for widespread development.
The major person responsible for developing the area was not German but Irish. Known as the builder of South Buffalo, William H. Fitzpatrick resided on a farm at Seneca and Bailey.
Working with William J. Summers and Charles Mosher, he built most of the homes in the Butler Park area and many of those on Stephenson, Ryan, Geary and in the Seneca Parkside area. In housing he developed, a large number of Irish families, who moved from the old First Ward after the turn of the century, took up residence. In the 1920s he became a vociferous supporter of the construction of the New York Central terminal on the city's East Side, campaigning for the passage of the needed legislative approval prior to its construction.
The final burst of development in the area occurred in the 1920s. In 1926 the International Railway Company began a project to uniformly pave Seneca Street. With work completed, the intersection of Seneca and Cazenovia developed into the commercial center of the neighborhood, enriching the area with much of the character it has today.
Thanks, "Ethnic Heritage Enriches Buffalo"
Saturday March 17, 2018 would be no different.
In fact, the day took on added importance and gravitas when at 11:00 am EDT, Sabres head coach Phil Houlsey proudly declared to media that his franchise player, Jack Eichel, would play against Kane, Toews, Seabrook, Keith and the future Hall Of Famers called Chicago Blackhawks.
The matinee main event matchup was set:
Eichel-v- Kane.
Two teams with zero playoff reality looking to right wrongs and build great work habits heading down the home stretch.
Eichel’s triumphant return from his 15-game hiatus due to right ankle sprain was the type of luck that the Irish the Sabres would need to beat the struggling Hawks.
Struggles notwithstanding, Patrick Kane has made a career of devouring home eating home-cooking while throwing Chelsea Daggers through the hearts and minds of Sabres players and fans. Kane didn’t disappoint on Saturday. He had two Harry Potter-inspired assists to give his Hawks a chance against the Sabres.
Eichel added an assist and had 11 shot attempts in his first game back since injuring his ankle in Boston on February 10.
The BU Terrier was very good. No rust. Got stronger as game progressed.
The 2018 NHL All Star now leads the Sabres with 54 points in 56 games played. Eichel leads the Sabres with 22 goals and 32 assists in his 56 games played. Reinhart is coming for him. Though he may not catch his roommate in the team scoring lead, Reinhart is doing his dead level best to track down and pass his friend Jack Eichel.
Reinhart is seemingly saying:
“You push me, I push you”.
Before the ankle injury on February 10, Eichel scored 15 goals and 19 assists in 30 games since the beginning of December 2017.
Saturday was the Buffalo Sabres first win against the Chicago Blackhawks since 2009. Buffalo pulled away in the final minutes with Nick Baptiste's second goal of the night to make it a 4-3 game.
Somebody failed to tell Sabres forward Samson Reinhart that he would be taking a back seat to the Eichel and Kane freak show. Reinhart was like:
“Hey, Jack. Get yer popcorn ready. This is my party, bro. I got this!”.
Reinhart did not disappoint!
With a goal and two assists, Sam Reinhart now has 29 points in his team’s last 27 games.
Think about that. While Eichel was on injured reserve and Evander Kane was playing with one skate out the door, Reinhart grabbed and embraced the role of Buffalo Sabres alpha male. The team needed leader to assist leaders Ryan O’Reilly, Rasmus Ristolainen and Kyle Okposo in keeping the room positive and the bench focused.
Samson didn’t ask for it. He certainly isn’t begging for forgiveness.
Reinhart now has 42 points this season, five behind his personal career best set last season.
Reinhart resurgence has been noteworthy to witness. I know that his dismal start to the season was irking and eating at him. From October 8 until New Years Day, Reinhart was a ghost. He was lost. His name was involved with several trade rumors. His confidence was shot. He lacked a killer instinct. He was timid, shy and unwilling to go to the paint to take a beating. In his first 39 games of the season, Reinhart scored only 5 goals and 6 assists.
All was quiet on New Years Day.
That is, until Reinhart corrected the course and improved the upward trajectory of his season when he scored a huge goal on rangers tendy Hank Lundqvist at the 2018 Winter Classic.
Season saved.
What changed?
Samson blocked out the trade rumors, ignored the haters. He got out of his own head and re-dedicated himself to going to the blue ice. Samson got his swagger back by being a gigantic pain in the arse to play against. Rather than pass the puck he has committed to shooting more. For the past three months, Reinhart has been posting up with courage, valor and reckless abandon. The welts upon on back, shoulders and legs are his badges of honor.
One of, if not THE largest factor in Reinhart’s resurgence is his contract status. Reinhart signed a one-off, “show me” contract last summer when Jason Botterill became Sabres GM. Reinhart scored goal number 19 in Saturday’s win over the Blackhawks. He now has 42 points and counting with 12 games remaining in this disappointing season.
When, not if, but WHEN he scores 25 goals and 25 assists this season, he will become eligible for a long- term contract extension in the 4 to 5-year range worth $4.5M to $5M AAV per season.
Reinhart is currenty the fourth highest scorer from the 2014 NHL Draft class. Only Leon Draisaitl (198 points), David Pastrnak (191 points) and Nikolai Ehnlers (156) have more points than Reinhart. Draisaitl is the beneficiary of a 6 year, $68 million contract. Pastrnak is the owner of 6 year, $40 million contract. Ehlers' 6 year, $42 million contract extension kicks in next season.
Reinhart is a pending restricted free agent.
In 238 career games with the Sabres, Reinhart has scored 58 goals and added 73 assists for 132 total points.
Botterill said “show me, Samson”
The former second overall pick in the NHL Draft (behind Aaron Ekblad) is seemingly mouthing to Botterill: “Show me, Bots. Show. Me. The. Money!”
Samson Reinhart has his swagger back. He's finally playing consistenty like the second overall pick in the draft he was advertsised to be.
**
Props to Sabres forward prospect Nick Baptiste, who scored the game tying goal in the third period and the game-winner with less than two minutes to play, helping the Sabres get a much needed win. After the game, Baptiste told reporters that his parents were in the stands and they've never seen him score a goal in the NHL until Saturday afternoon.
Thanks, Matt Bove
I'm thrilled for Baptiste. I first met him at a Sabres Prospects camp five years ago when he was a Sudbury Wolves scoring star. I later followed and scouted "bapper" when he was traded from Sudbury to the Erie Otters. Baptiste played the role of "old man" on the Otters that featured rock star kids Connor McDavid, Dylan Strome, Remi Elie, Alex DeBrincat, Darren Raddysh, Travis Dermott, Kurtis MacDermid, Nick Betz, and others.
"Bapper" played a dual role on that Otter squad. He was sniping scorer/playmaker and team DJ.
Baptiste's postgame dance routines were the thing of legend to behold.
Great kid. Excellent skill. He's earned his playing time in the NHL.
On Saturday, Baptiste played with fellow Rochester Amerks Justin Bailey and Evan Rodrigues. The trio played superbly. They were fast, furious and relentless in all three zones.
Phil Houlsey and Jason Botterill will want to keep this trio together in Buffalo for the next 12 games. After the Sabres' regular season, the Sabres will ship Baptiste, Bailey, Rodrigues and Brendan Guhle back to the Rochester to fortify the Amerks for a deep Calder Cup playoff run.
**
Congratulations are in order for the Buffalo Beauts!
Sarah Casorso scored the OT GDUB to give her teammates the win in playoff game on home ice.
Now its off to the Isobel Cup!
**
Congratulations to Buffalo native Emily Pfalzer, USA Womens Hockey gold medal winning Olympian.
Stick tap to the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Beauts for asking Pfalzer to drop the ceremonial faceoff before Saturday’s St. Paddy’s Day matinee.
Thanks, Sabres TV
**
Happy St. Patty's Day from sunny Buffalo, NY where the Irish eyes are smiling on the Sabres.
This town loves to take it deep and celebrate this holiday in style!
Buffalo native and future Hockey Hall Of Famer was set to reprise his trademark matinee idol role here today as teh Sabres are hosting the Blackhawks.
But a funny thing happened on the way to the forum.
At his pregame press huddle, Sabres bench Boss Phil Houlsey announced that Sabres star Jack Eichel will play today.
Move over St. Patrick Kane. Make way for St. Jacktrick's Day in Buffalo.
When Irish eyes are smiling
Sure, it is like a morning spring
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing
When Irish hearts are happy
All the world seems bright and gay
And when Irish eyes are smiling
Sure, they steal your heart away
When Irish hearts are happy
All the world seems bright and gay
And when Irish eyes are smiling
Sure they steal your heart away
Eichel, a 2018 NHL All Star, has missed the last 15 games with a right side high ankle sprain that he suffered during a collision with Boston Bruins D Matt Grzelcyk on February 10. Eichel began skating on his own last week and has practiced this week with his Sabres teammates. Eichel's ankle is showing no ill affects from his most recent sprain, therefore, the Boston Universitty Terriers legend has been cleared to return to the lineup today.
"Talking to our doctors and trainers and his practices, the way he progressed all week, he checked all the boxes off," Housley said in his pregame media briefing. "He's ready to play. He wants to play. He wants to get back in the lineup so we feel that we're comfortable putting him back in today."
Eichel leads the Sabres with 22 goals and 53 points 53 in his 55 games.
Before the ankle injury on February 10, Eichel scored 15 goals and 19 assists in 30 games since the beginning of December 2017.
During that stretch, Eichel ranked in the top 10 in the NHL in goals (T-7th, 15), points (T-5th, 34), even-strength goals (T-4th, 12) and shots (3rd, 120).
Eichel scored at least two goals in four of those 30 games.
Eichel is currently on pace to surpass his personal bests in goals (24), assists (33) and points (57).
Eichel’s 16 multi-point games this season through 55 games have already tied his career best set in 2016-17.
With his 17th even-strength goal in his 44th game of the season on January 11 against Columbus, Eichel surpassed his career-best total from 2015-16 (81 games). Through 55 games, Eichel now has 19 even-strength goals.
With his 36th even-strength point in his 53rd game of the season on February 7 vs. Anaheim, Eichel surpassed his career-best total from 2015-16 (81 games). Through 55 games, he now has 38 even-strength points.
***
Join the Discussion:
»