Written on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 6:00pm by Kevin | 10 Comments

Pat LaFontaine Open Thread: Flames at Sabres

Like it could be any other…

I’ve put enough words up about LaFontaine in the past, but let me just say that with the possible exception of 2005-06 there was never a more enjoyable year for me, as a fan, than the 1992-93 season.

LaFontaine had an incredible 148 points that year as he scored 53 goals and had 95 assists, most of which went to Alexander Mogilny (he of 76 goals that season).  You know how when you’re watching hockey from a Canadian city on TV, and the home team gets the puck and starts a rush up ice, and the volume of the crowd rises noticeably?  Well, that’s what it was like in Buffalo every time LaFontaine or Mogilny were on the ice that year.  The only thing to which I can compare it is to when Gil Perreault used to get the puck in his own end and start up ice.  Back in the 70’s the crowd in the Aud would come to their feet, and the noise would ratchet up because everyone knew something special could happen.  That was 1992-93 as well.

While in Buffalo his work with Children’s Hospital and Roswell Park was legendary, and his support of charities has continued long after his career ended.

I don’t collect memorabilia from individual players because, well, I’ve seen what phonies most of them turn out to be.  But I am proud to have an a game-used stick autographed by Pat LaFontaine.

The combination of his skill on the ice and his giving off of it makes him, to me, the finest player to ever don a Sabres jersey.

Here’s to you, Pat.

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10 Comments

  1. twoeightnine says:
    November 13, 2009 at 7:48 pm

    Couldn’t have said it better. He’s the reason I’m a Sabres fan.

  2. Wolf says:
    November 13, 2009 at 8:53 pm

    Turned on the game just in time for the Mair fight. Atta boy, Mairsy!

  3. Wolf says:
    November 13, 2009 at 8:57 pm

    And, just read the post for this game… I loved that ‘92-’93 season, too. I have an autographed LaFontaine puck. My brother has an autographed LaFontaine sweater. Perreault will always be my favorite Sabre, but as a tandem, nothing tops LaFontaine and Mogilny!!

  4. Wolf says:
    November 13, 2009 at 9:00 pm

    I’m liking the fire from the Sabres tonight.

  5. twoeightnine says:
    November 13, 2009 at 9:10 pm

    I must say, the Flames broadcast team isn’t bad. Well informed, non-homers.

  6. PA Pete says:
    November 13, 2009 at 9:10 pm

    scrappy game … hope they save some for Flyers tomnorrow! I’ll be there …

  7. twoeightnine says:
    November 13, 2009 at 9:11 pm

    And Roy just taunted the Flames fans. Awesome.

  8. Sharpie says:
    November 13, 2009 at 9:28 pm

    I remember my dad driving my brothers and myself over to Sabreland when I was a kid to watch the Sabres practice on his days off since it was so close to our house. The first Sabre I recognized was LaFontaine.

  9. Cryptkicker says:
    November 13, 2009 at 10:00 pm

    This is a powerplay, oooops. Here comes a Calgary breakaway. Good Miller stuffed him.

  10. Jeanne says:
    November 13, 2009 at 11:20 pm

    Games like this are sooo much fun – especially when we win! Let’s do it again tomorrow against the most hated Flyers.