Welcome Back! Like old times, Ted Nolan was back behind the Sabre bench and got a win.
AP Photo/Gary Wiepert

For the first time since 1997, Ted Nolan was behind the Buffalo bench. Fittingly, his team got a win with the Sabres prevailing over the Maple Leafs 3-1 at First Niagara Center.

Steve Ott was the catalyst scoring the tying goal and setting up Marcus Foligno’s game-winner. The Sabre captain had a strong game driving David Clarkson nuts. He was at his best mixing it up frustrating the Leafs. With Ryan Miller putting on a Hasek-esque performance in net making 32 saves, the Nolan Era got off to a good start. The kind Sabre fans have been hoping for. It was only their second regulation/overtime win. That was secondary to the big storyline.

”It was one of those games where you didn’t ever know that this type of day would ever happen again,” an emotional Nolan expressed of a triumphant return. ”It was very emotional, so I’ll have a good cry after everybody leaves.”

”Guys have been playing heavy for a long time. I think this was a full rejuvenation of guys’ careers,” Ott added of the big change. ”It’s game on. It’s time to start fresh. It’s like you’re a rookie again.”

That’s exactly the kind of attitude the Sabres will have. It’s a new start for a franchise that needed it including defenseman Tyler Myers. He set up Ott’s goal in the second with a booming shot from the point that caromed off Jonathan Bernier right to the pesky Sabre who led by example. Considering the kind of game he played, it was fitting that Ott had a hand in the winner. Taking a Drew Stafford outlet, he broke in on Bernier and backhanded a perfect pass to Foligno, who backhanded his second home.

It was enough to hold off the Leafs, who were without Nazem Kadri– serving the first of a three-game suspension for a dangerous hit against Minnesota. Miller made some acrobatic stops to keep Toronto at bay. He also got a big assist from defenseman Christian Ehrhoff. With the Leafs searching for the equalizer, Miller was down and out with a gaping net facing James van Riemsdyk. But a sliding Ehrhoff blocked his attempt which was ticketed.

”It’s a new start,” Ehrhoff said following the game saver. Ironically, he scored into an open net sealing it. ”A lot of guys have been down, and confidence hasn’t been high. When there’s a big change like that, it’s a fresh start for everybody.”

”That was a heck of a play by him,” van Riemsdyk added. ”We’re not getting those bounces right now, but we’ve got to keep pushing forward.”

Toronto’s lone goal scorer was Trevor Smith, who beat Miller in the first from Clarkson and Mason Raymond. Bernier finished with 24 saves.

”It was really fun for me to look up once in a while and see how much fans enjoyed this game,” Nolan said. ”Hopefully, it’s a sign of good things to come.”

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Christian Ehrhoff, Buf (empty net goal at 19:32 3rd, game saving block on JVR, +1 in 24:05)

2nd Star-Ryan Miller, Buf (32 saves incl. 13/13 in 3rd)

1st Star-Steve Ott, Buf (goal, assist, 3 for 5 on faceoffs, +2 in 19:37)