April 20th, 1975

Buffalo Sabres earn a 3-1 Stanley Cup Quarter Finals series lead

Sabres 6 – Blackhawks 2 After dropping game three during overtime in Chicago, the Sabres fell behind 1-0 after the first period of game two and the Blackhawks backstopped by goaltender Tony Esposito and led by Cup Champion Center Stan Makita and tough guy Defenseman Captain Keith Magnuson the ‘Hawks were feeling confident.

Just 30 seconds into the second period however Captain Schoenfeld passes to LW Spinner Spencer whose sweet feed to Center Peter McNab who scored his first of the playoffs to tie the game at one.

For the rest of the second period Buffalo earned seven of their nine overall penalties as Referee Newell did his best to aid Chicago, one example was when he gave Sabres Defenseman King Kong Korab a roughing and misconduct penalty and a paltry high-sticking penalty for the Blackhawks player involved.

The Sabres scored even quicker to start the third period as Center McNab earns a primary assist on Center Jim Lorentz’s first goal of the playoffs this time only 17 seconds into the third period for the 2-1 lead.

Chicago earned one of their five penalties for the game 14 seconds after Buffalo scored giving the French Connection their turn as LW Rick Martin scores his third of the playoffs during the powerplay and four minutes later the French Connection scores again for the 4-1 lead.

The Blackhawks got one back, but Buffalo answered with two more goals while out shooting Chicago 16 – 5 in the third period, RW Danny Gare (3) and again the French Connection on the powerplay with five minutes remaining built a commanding 6-2 lead and final score.