JÂy RÛßeÒ Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 Sabres 12, Soviet Wings 6 - January 4 1976 I remember this so well. It was their first loss to an NHL team, and we destroyed them. Korab & Schoenfeld beat them physically, and we beat them at their own game with speed & finesse. It was nationally televised on NBC. In lieu of the traditional All-Star Game, Soviet club teams toured North American to play NHL teams for the first time, and the Sabres had a January 4 date with the Soviet Wings. In the mid-1970’s, the Soviets were looked upon as mysterious, and the name of their game was speed. Sabres GM Punch Imlach wanted so badly to defeat a Russian team, he studied game tapes of the Wings’ previous game in Pittsburgh. The Soviet Wings hadn’t lost to an NHL team when they faced the Sabres. "We came out onto the ice, and it had to be several minutes until it quieted down," said Buffalo’s Jerry Korab. "We were so excited we could almost feel the ice shake." It was Korab’s crunching check on the great Alexander Yakushev that sparked the Sabres early. Buffalo was ahead 4-2, after one period and 9-4 after 34 minutes. Rick Martin and Danny Gare scored two goals apiece as Buffalo won, 12-6, in a game Imlach later called the high point of the season. - Buffalo Sabres Alumni Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JÂy RÛßeÒ Posted January 4, 2007 Author Share Posted January 4, 2007 More info: http://www.sabresfans.com/history/knox.asp?artid=21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stinky finger Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 More info: http://www.sabresfans.com/history/knox.asp?artid=21 Thanks Jay. What an inspired, goosebump laden walk down memory lane. Such a thrill it was. I was 12 at the time and remember very well the electricity spoke of in this collection of rememberences. Makes me feel proud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 I was fortunate to be there. Great game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 Damn, I remember that game so well. Thanks for bringing it back into focus Jay! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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