The return of the blue and gold!

By Dave Ricci

At about 2:02 PM on Sunday April 6, at HSBC Arena almost 18,000 jaws dropped in unison when they saw the Sabres hit the ice in the team’s original blue and gold jerseys. It was the first time the Sabres wore their old threads since they set up housekeeping in HSBC Arena.

The Sabres season finale against the playoff-bound New Jersey Devils was labeled as Fan Appreciation Day, and what better way for new owner Tom Golisano to show his appreciation for the fans then by answering their overwhelming requests to bring back the original uniforms. "It’s been our No. 1 fan request," Golisano said after the game.

The afternoon started in a predictable fashion with the showing of video highlights from the past. The video had the Sabres founding fathers Seymour and Norty Knox, and the famous spin of the wheel that determined whether Buffalo or Vancouver would have the first overall pick in 1970 the pick that brought Gil Perreault to Buffalo.

The video montage also showed glorious memories such as the 1975 Stanley Cup finals against the Flyers, Brad May’s "May Day" goal from the 1993 playoff series against Boston, and Derek Plante’s game seven OT winner over Ottawa in 1997. All the great Sabres of our memories were on the video including Hasek, the French Connection, and Tim Horton.

The presentation wrapped up with a shot of Tom Golisano waving to the crowd and then a shot of the Stanley Cup itself along with the words "To be continued…" That got a pretty solid ovation as fans breathed a sigh of relief that the team was staying in Buffalo.

Then, as a lone ice-dancer jetted around the ice with a sabre in her hands, it happened. The Sabres filed onto the ice. It took a few moments for the fans to rub the disbelief out of their eyes. Once they did the crowd erupted for what had to be the biggest pop all year long. Sabres Forward Jochen Hecht said, "It was great. I think we had the same reaction when we saw the jerseys because we didn’t know anything about it. I was one of the first guys to go out on the ice and it was nice to hear everybody cheering. It was a great atmosphere for the skate when we came out there. I think they’re great jerseys, they look great and it’s fun to play in them. I think it helped fans remember the old days."

Sabres defenseman Jay McKee is one of four remaining Sabres who were with the team the last time the blue and gold jerseys were worn for a regular season game. McKee pulled the blue and gold sweater over his head in his first NHL game in 1996. To be able to wear it again was a thrill for him. McKee said, "I actually got the chills. It was a neat feeling to go back out wearing the old jerseys. I know the fans were real excited and it was a special feeling. It was great to see the amount of fans we had here for the game. I think the fans have really rallied behind Mr. Golisano. The atmosphere in the Arena and the city is much different and it’s an exciting time again."

Because of licensing rules and rights the blue and gold can not come back full time next season, but there is still the possibility of them being used as a third jersey.

Tom Golisano has begun to write a new chapter in Buffalo’s NHL history and at least for now it looks like he’ll be writing that chapter with "blue and gold" ink.

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