First Sabres Home Game vs Montreal Canadiens 1970

Lore & Background

While the result was a loss, the atmosphere established the passionate identity that would define Buffalo hockey for generations. The presence of Gilbert Perreault, the first overall pick in the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft, gave the team immediate star power despite their struggles on the scoreboard against seasoned veterans like the Canadiens' defensemen.

In Their Own Story

The air inside The Aud smelled of popcorn and stale smoke as fans pressed against the glass. A young boy in a blue jersey watched his idol skate onto the ice for the first time at home. The roar was deafening, a mix of nervous anticipation and pure joy that hockey had finally arrived in Buffalo.

Reader's Guide

The game began with high energy from both sides, though Montreal's experience quickly showed. The Sabres managed to compete physically, but the Canadiens' offensive depth proved too much for the young defense. Decisive moments came when Montreal capitalized on power play opportunities, extending their lead in the second period. Despite a valiant effort by the Sabres' forwards, they could not overcome the deficit late in the third. This match is etched in memory not for the score, but for the birth of home pride. It proved fans would pack The Aud regardless of the opponent's prestige, setting the stage for future rivalries and the eventual success of the franchise.

Did You Know?

• This was the second game in Sabres franchise history, following their first-ever game on October 10, 1970, at Pittsburgh against the Penguins.
• Gilbert Perreault was the first overall pick in the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft, not the expansion draft.
• The Memorial Auditorium served as the home arena until 1996.
• Montreal was one of the Original Six teams dominating the league at the time.