Sabres in 1989-90 celebrated their 20th NHL Season
Memorial Auditorium Buffalo, NY- As a young man tending bar here along the Lake I had the opportunity to attend the Sabres 20th NHL Season Thursday night Home Opener versus the Quebec Nordiques and what a game it was.
Our Head Coach Rick Dudley led Sabres struck quickly only 20 seconds into the first period as Alexander Mogilny scores his first NHL goal and Buffalo’s first goal of our 20th NHL Season causing a raucous celebratory roar from the early sitting crowd.
The first period’s scoring was completed with Guy Lafleur’s first goal as a Nordiques player after serving one season with the Rangers the year before and that was after sitting out three seasons following his retirement from the Canadiens.
With the game tied 1-1 Buffalo opened the second period again by scoring within the first minute as Dave Andreychuk scored for the Sabres and three minutes later 7th round draft pick Mike Hartman scores and Buffalo has a 3-1 lead heading into the third period.
It takes the Nordiques top line of Michel Goulet, Joe Sakic, and Peter Stastny only eight seconds of power play time for Mr. Goulet to score and get Quebec within one goal with just under 18 minutes remaining in the game.
Incredulously Mr. Hartman scores his second of the night four minutes later and Buffalo had regained its two goal lead but with three minutes left to play, future Colorado Captain and Cup Champion Joe Sakic scores to get Quebec back within one.
The Nordiques pull their goaltender with less than two minutes remaining and the Sabres are hanging on when with only 19 seconds left in a one goal game Buffalo is called for a “too many men” penalty.
Fortunately the Sabres Olympian gold medalist defenseman Mike Ramsey (2 assists in the game) backed by Darren Puppa in net, the Sabres held on to win 4-3 for fans during the 20th NHL Season Home Opener.
Buffalo Winter 
What a game. Everyone in the stands got their money’s worth!
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