Playoff hockey returns: Sabers fans flood downtown for Game 1 victory

BUFFALO, NY — Sabers fans at KeyBank Center have been prepared for a historic night on Sunday.

The Sabres’ first Stanley Cup Playoffs recreation in 15 years began final 7:30 pm, and the power surrounding the sector and throughout Canalside was inconceivable to overlook.

And that was earlier than the Sabers rallied from a two-goal deficit, scoring 4 occasions within the third interval to win 4-3.

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The fans did not all come from Western New Yorkers, although. 2 On Your Side talked with Sabers fans Texas to Newfoundland who got here to Buffalo, able to see their crew make a historic return to postseason play.

“The roof’s going to come off, no question,” one fan stated throughout Party within the Plaza. “Like, it’s just going to fly off, and it’s going to be a whole thing. Like, the energy is already going to be crazy. I mean, this alone just tells you how excited everyone is.”

Another fan added: “We waited for 14 years for this. I’m going to tear up tonight.”

Party within the Plaza began at 4:30 pm outdoors KeyBank Center. An hour later, the pregame occasion started at Canalside.

That’s to not point out all of the bars and eating places in downtown Buffalo, the place fans stood shoulder to shoulder three hours the puck dropped for Game 1.

“I think you should have butterflies going into something like this, with just the anticipation of all the work we put in during the year to get to this point,” Sabers coach Lindy Ruff stated Sunday afternoon, following an elective skate for the crew.

Ruff stated he would’ve beloved to play Saturday, relatively than wait yet one more day for Game 1 in opposition to the Boston Bruins.

“Looking forward to get it going. I mean, after watching games yesterday, you know we wish you could have played yesterday, but we have to wait until today,” Ruff stated. “So, it’s an opportunity to get going tonight at 7:30.”