You knew that this day would come.
Black Friday in Buffalo.
The day when retailers discounted their prices to create the holiday shopping stampede.
It is also the day when patient Buffalo Sabres fans were rewarded with a cornucopia of goals scored by the elder statesmen and their protege Jack Eichel.
Less dangle, celly, snipe. More puck luck and ugly goals.
It seemed fitting that the youngest team in the NHL (21 years old) broke on through to the others side with help from three thirty-somethings who have led the way before.
Face down in a six game losing skid, the kids have needed guidance and the old men led by example.
The Sabres entered the game on an 0-4-2 slide. Seven goals. That's the only offense that Buffalo could muster during their six game scoring sabbatical.
Before Friday night, lighting the lamp had become a rare occurrence.
That all changed for the better when Buffalo's salt-n-pepper seniors showed the youngsters how it's done.
In the end the Sabres benefited from greasy goals and lucky bounces. Eichel did Eichel things and the for the first time in a long time, the home fans went home happy.
The old guys served the savory meat and potatoes while Eichel served the sweet and tasty dessert. Ala mode.
I've been telling you that the Carolina Hurricanes would be the cure for all that has been ailing the Buffalo offense which had scored only six goals in its previous six games.
The Sabres have been getting their fair share of high quality scoring chances during their recent power shortage, however, they haven't had any puck luck whatsoever.
That all changed for the better when Noah Hanifin and the Hurricanes blew into Buffalo.
Jack Eichel beat Cam Ward for the game winner on this high cheese vapor trail.
But, it was the grizzled vets who helped do the grunt work and heavy lifting.
Eichel knew where he wanted to shoot after he picked off the puck.
"Coming down my strong side, trying to go across the goalie's body at his blocker," Eichel said. "Everybody can catch a puck these days, so I tried to keep it away from his glove."
Chad Johnson made 27 saves.
Josh Gorges (31), Brian Gionta (36) and David Legwand (35) also scored for Buffal.
Jamie McGinn had two assists. The Sabres had lost their last four home games.
Victor Rask scored Carolina's only goal, and the Hurricanes failed to pick up a point for the first time in five games.
Cam Ward stopped 11 of 14 shots before being replaced by Eddie Lack after two periods. Lack stopped 6 of 7 shots on goal.
Legwand scored his second goal in the past two games.
Gorges hadn't scored in 69 games with Buffalo and last scored for Montreal against Vancouver on October 12, 2013.
It was an ugly knuckle puck but Gorges doesn't care.
"We needed that win badly", Gorges told me after the win.
Thanks, Sabres.com
Gionta also scored his second goal of the season.
The Sabres will faceoff with the Preds in Nashville on Saturday night.
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Rasmus Ristolanen now has 4G, 10A in 23 games played this season. He has 9 points in his last 10 games.
If he scores 50 pts, Risto would be the 1st BUF D-man with 50 in a season since Gary Galley in 1995-96 and the youngest Buffalo D since Phil Housley.
Why not start the Ristolainen for Norris Trophy campaign now?
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Shout out to my friend and Buffalo native Mike Maniscalco. Like many WNYers, Mike left Buffalo radio over a decade ago to pursue a great opportunity in Raleigh, North Carolina. Mike is the color man for the legendary Chuck Kaiton on Hurricanes broadcasts. He also is the morning man on 99.9 The Fan ESPN Raleigh.
Mike and I chewed the fat in the press box on Friday night like it was 1998 all ovet again. It did my heart good to see him. I always knew that he had the game and the intellect to be a star. He is doing exceptionally well right now and I am happy for his success.
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Awesome to see you back on the ice patty, good game win as well boys @patrick_kaleta @AmerksHockey pic.twitter.com/cZWpKGd8Rx
— Riley Lupky (@riley_lupky26) November 28, 2015
Congrats to Pat Kaleta who made his season debut for the Rochester Amerks against St. Johns on Friday night.
Kaleta had not played in a meaningful hockey game for the past seven months until Black Friday night. Kaleta recorded one shot in 9:43 TOI after missing the first 18 games while recovering from injury.
Don't you date ever doubt Kaleta's inner drive and his determination. He loves hockey and will do anything to play the game that he loves.
Awesome to see you back on the ice patty, good game win as well boys @patrick_kaleta @AmerksHockey pic.twitter.com/cZWpKGd8Rx
— Riley Lupky (@riley_lupky26) November 28, 2015
Kaleta, 29, signed a PTO contract with the Buffalo Sabres last summer. Kaleta was a UFA.
Kaleta appeared in 42 games with the Buffalo Sabres last season, recording three assists and 36 penalty minutes. The Buffalo kid has registered 54 points (27G, 27A) and 542 PIMs in 348 career games with the Sabres over parts of nine seasons (2006-07 to 2014-15). He has also recorded five points (2+3) in 12 NHL playoff games with the Sabres. In 2009-10, he collected career-highs in goals (10) and points (15) in 55 games.
Welcome back, PK36!
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