Sabres Honor Martin With Victory

Buffalo Sabres players raise their sticks in tribute to
former Sabres player Rick Martin following their game
against the Ottawa Senators at HSBC Arena on March 13, 2011.
(Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)

Prior to Sunday's game, the city of Buffalo lost a hockey icon in Richard Lionel Martin.  The organization's formal announcement is as follows:  "The Buffalo Sabres are saddened to announce the passing of Buffalo Sabres Hall of Famer and member of the famed French Connection, Rick Martin.  Rick was not only one of the greatest players in franchise history, he was a great friend to the Sabres organization and the entire community.  The thoughts and prayers of the entire Sabres organization go out to his wife Mikey and their two sons, Corey and Josh."  Rick Martin: 1951-2011.  ESPN's write-up of the incident can be found here.  WGR 550's Bulldog posted his reaction in his latest blog post.  Howard Simon had his reaction along with many interviews on his morning show today that began at 6am.  Audio clips can be found on the WGR 550 website in their "Audio Vault".  For more writer reactions, check out the other Sabres blogs listed in the "Blogroll" to the right side of this page.

Players and fans stand for a moment of silence
honoring former Buffalo Sabres player Rick Martin.
(Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)

Before last night's game's national anthems, a short video was played on the jumbo-tron displaying various pictures of Rick Martin.  Then the arena payed its respect with a moment of silence.  The tribute (pictured to the right) was moving.  I have never heard the arena so silent before and I am thankful that I could experience the moment in memory of Rick.  From there the Sabres played an emotionally inspired game that featured six goals from five different Sabres.

Jhonas Enroth started his eighth game of the season in relief of Ryan Miller and was helped by a highly energized offense.  Scoring for the Sabres were Tyler Ennis, Thomas Vanek, Paul Gaustad, Nathan Gerbe and Brad Boyes.  Tyler Ennis scored a pair and his second goal was perfectly placed top-shelf where it blew the top off Craig Anderson's water bottle sending water flying behind the net.  That gem of a goal broke the tie and put the Sabres up 3-2 very early in the second period.  Thirty-three seconds later Paul Gaustad's tenth of the season put Buffalo's lead at two.  Late in the second, Nathan Gerbe scored his ninth goal of the season to put the Sabres up 5-3 going into the third period.  Lindy Ruff was impressed with Gerbe's goal saying "That was a mirror image.  You don't see those very often.  As soon as it went in, I thought it was vintage Richard Martin right there."  Gerbe flew into the Ottawa zone with three Senators left behind in his wake as he ripped a slap shot from the top of the left circle beating Ottawa's Curtis McElhinney over his shoulder.  Brad Boyes added an insurance goal halfway through the third and continued his hot-streak with his new team (7 points in 7 games).  After the game ended, the Sabres players stood together at center ice and saluted Rick Martin by pointing their sticks at his French-Connection banner.  The fans that were left in the arena at the time gave a fitting standing ovation.

After splitting the back-to-back weekend, playoff odds are up 5.2 to 80.7%.  The Sabres briefly fell back to eighth in the conference after Saturday's loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs but are now back in seventh.  The Sabres finished their season series with the Ottawa Senators posting a 5-1-0 record.  Buffalo's next game is very crucial to the standings as the Carolina Hurricanes visit HSBC Arena on Tuesday for a 7:30pm EDT start.  The game will be televised on Versus so turn down your TV and turn up Rick and Harry on WGR 550.