30 minutes before the game began, the screens began showing the broadcast and the fans celebrated when they turned on. Loud cheers whenever a Sabres player came up on the screen, and maybe even louder boos for the Bruins.<\/p>\n
The weather was less than ideal, but it didn\u2019t discourage fans from showing up. Not quite rain, but also not quite snow, started pouring down minutes before puck drop, but no one was moving. Because where else would you have rather been, than right there, right then?<\/p>\n
The first playoff game in 14 seasons did not disappoint<\/p>\n
The game begins and all in attendance are taking a moment to appreciate the current reality. As soon as the first hit was landed fans were cheering for everything the team gave them the chance to. The classic “Let\u2019s Go Buffalo” chants were had, and even some rounds of\u00a0“Ooh Aah, Sabres on a Warpath.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
Morgan Geekie\u2019s goal was a disappointing way to open the scoring, but fans remained positive. Buffalo was dominating play and it felt like only a matter of time before the watch party erupted for the first playoff goal in over a decade. There was even some celebration for the clear after the whistle no goal on the Bruins power play.<\/p>\n
After one period, there was no sense of panic. Even though it\u2019s been a while, fans know that it was just period No. 1 of a seven-game series. The second period brought upon some impatience though, as they were controlling play but couldn\u2019t get anything past Boston goalie Jeremy Swayman. Some frustration was expressed when the Sabres couldn\u2019t get it going on the power play and failed to take advantage.<\/p>\n
A 1-0 game heading into the third period, and in the back of people\u2019s minds was the possibility of being shutout in a game that had so much hype leading up to it.<\/p>\n
When the Bruins made it 2-0 in the early goings of the third, that was when panic really set in. It just didn\u2019t feel like the Sabres night, and one goal was hard enough to come by, knowing they needed to find a way to get three was going to be a tough task.<\/p>\n
But then it happened. The first Sabres playoff goal since 2011. Tage Thompson with the quick thinking and tucks it in before Swayman had enough time to react. The Canalside popped and people were jumping up and down screaming as the boys were finally on the board.<\/p>\n
After their first goal, it seemed like the second one was inevitable. They finally got one past Swayman and it opened the door to a comeback. Fans were chanting, doing everything in their power to keep the energy high, and in just under four minutes of game time after Tage\u2019s first goal, boom, a second. Everyone was going nuts, people taking off their shirts, as it was a brand new hockey game, and Buffalo had all the momentum.<\/p>\n
Despite already being outside in the cold all evening, people were mentally preparing for the possibility of overtime. But the team made sure everyone went home early and happy. This time less than a minute after the second goal, Mattias Samuelsson fired one past Swayman for the team\u2019s first lead of the game, and downtown Buffalo just exploded.<\/p>\n
What went from a potentially disappointing result in the return to playoff hockey became one of the most memorable games in franchise history<\/a>. The Alex Tuch empty netter felt like the dagger, and it would prove to be the game-winning goal.<\/p>\n Fans left the watch party singing and screaming, all in a bit of shock at what we just saw, but absolutely zero complaints. If this game was any indication of what these playoffs could bring, then we\u2019re in for a fun, wild ride. I absolutely recommend going to the watch party if you are able and want to feel more a part of the run as it unfolds. <\/p>\n The Playoffs are back in Buffalo.<\/p>\n
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