Pegula's Crucial First Win in the Books

Fans celebrate the win Wednesday night.
(AP Photo/David Duprey)

The pregame ceremony for Terry Pegula Wednesday night was emotional and uplifting.  Clips from his press conference were played on the jumbo-tron with inspirational music in the background.  As Terry stepped on the ice, the fans were on their feet and the ovation lasted over a minute.  "I had a great time," said Pegula, who admitted he nearly fell over at center ice when the Sabres' 1970s "French Connection" line of Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin and Rene Robert skated toward him for the ceremonial puck drop.

The Sabres outplayed the Atlanta Thrashers in front of a sold out crowd.  They did not disappoint their new boss and gave him the puck when he addressed the team in the locker room after the game.  "You definitely get energy from having him around," Miller said about Pegula. "It's nice to see him happy with the effort."  Tyler Myers opened the scoring 7:13 into the first period in a way reminiscent of his overtime winner two weeks ago in Florida.  He let a slap-shot go from the top of the right face-off circle which found its way to the back of the net inside the far post.  Also scoring for the Sabres were Paul Gaustad, Jason Pominville and Tyler Ennis, who finally ended their four-game losing streak at home.  Ryan Miller made 40 saves in a highly offensive game that recorded 80 total shots.  Gaustad and Pominville's goals 46 seconds apart to end the second gave the team the momentum they needed heading into the third.  Ennis added an early goal in the third and the Sabres cruised to the victory.

In case you missed it, the first team transaction of the Terry Pegula Era was made a few hours before Wednesday's game.  The Sabres waived captain Craig Rivet after he was a healthy scratch for the last 17 games.  Rivet had three points in 23 games this season.  In Lindy Ruff's weekly WGR550 interview Thursday morning, he said "I think both parties are on the same page and I just want to focus on winning games.  I’ve had a good conversation with Terry and we need to work on getting up in the standings."  When asked, Ruff paraphrased Pegula and said "english aside, I ain’t going nowhere.”  Lindy also mentioned giving an "A" to Thomas Vanek.  "He’s not young anymore. We’ve had four "As" that we have alternated and with Roy out I decided myself to put the A on him.  His two-way game has grown.  We want Thomas to be a leader.  He scores big goals for us and he is taking more responsibility away from the puck."

The Sabres now have 62 points, which is good enough for sole possession of 9th place.  They next meet the Thrashers March 19th at home.  Buffalo now sits only three points out of a playoff spot.  After Wednesday, playoff odds are up 10.2 to 44.9%.  The Sabres close their home stand this weekend with games Friday against the Ottawa Senators and Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings before playing the next seven games on the road.