Eichel also finished with sweet spin move, assist
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Tuesday, September 22, 2015 | BataviasBest.org
The Buffalo Sabres earned a big preseason victory over the Minnesota Wild last night by a final score of 3-2. The hero of the victory for the Sabres was rookie phenom Jack Eichel, who assisted on Matt Moulson’s third period goal which tied the score at 2, and then scored a shorthanded, breakaway goal to give his team the lead a bit later in the final frame. The late goal turned out to be the game-winner for Buffalo, who are now 1-0 to begin the 2015-2016 preseason.
All in all, it was a terrific night for one Jack Eichel. All throughout the broadcast, and during the postgame, praise rained down on the rookie center who seemed to get himself involved in the action early and often. While head coach Dan Bylsma chose to go with short, :50 shifts for much of the night, Eichel made use of his time on the ice and finished as perhaps the most-impressive skater for either team considering the circumstances.
Following last night’s contest, Eichel spoke about what it felt like to perform so well in his first game action as a member of the Sabres.
“It was a good team win, and a confidence booster for the whole team…It’s human nature to be a little nervous for your first one,” he said, “But after your first few shifts you get your confidence going.”
As far as the eventual game-winning goal was concerned, Eichel mentioned it felt good to get his first one under his belt.
“I got a good bounce after a nice clear,” he said. “It was nice to get the first one.”
Also during the postgame, speaking on the rookie’s assist was Moulson, whom Eichel hooked up with for the apple, as his teammate joked about the relationship that the two have developed early-on in training camp by living together at Moulson’s home. When asked about whether or not he will charge Eichel rent after such a big performance, Moulson said, “I’ll only charge him rent if he stops feeding me.”
Aside from the jokes about his roommate, Moulson also commented on how the Sabres were able to overcome a slow start to the game on Monday night – which led to a 2-1 deficit heading into the third period. “We got our plane legs out of us,” he said.
In addition to Moulson and Eichel, Sabres goalie Chad Johnson also put forth a strong effort between the pipes vs Minnesota. Johnson stopped 15 of 17 shots in his two periods in the crease, and had a bit to say about it following the game. “It felt good being the first one in a while for me,” he said. He had previously ended his 2014-2015 season by suffering a lower body injury last March in Ottawa.
The highlight of the night, despite many promising signs throughout the game, was absolutely Jack Eichel’s spin move – even though it basically resulted in a turnover and a Wild goal. Here it is:
@BuffaloSabres#JackAttack!! pic.twitter.com/MYY3pFEWzu
— Timmy (@HockeyHead77) September 22, 2015
Also, here is a view of his game-winning goal which came off of a nice deke following a shorthanded breakaway:
Jack Eichel’s GWG as #Sabres begin preseason 1-0. Full highlights to come on http://t.co/GvTkURDMwh. pic.twitter.com/ir7BlVWI7T
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) September 22, 2015
Key stats from last night’s Sabres @ Wild game:
Shots
20-19 in favor of Minnesota (Sabres: 5/10/4)
Sabres Penalty Kill
1 for 3
Sabers Power Play
0 for 2
Penalties
9 combined between Minnesota and Buffalo (2 fights)
My Three Stars of the Game:
First Star – Jack Eichel
Second Star – Chad Johnson
Third Star – Matt Moulson
Going forward, look for the new-look Sabres to continue to grow and mesh together. I believe we are in for an exciting season in Buffalo.
Go Sabres.
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