Sabres and Capitals to Play Regular Season Game in Rochester
 

BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Buffalo Sabres announced today the team will be playing a regular season home game in Rochester on Wednesday, October 26 at 7:30 p.m. versus the Washington Capitals at Blue Cross Arena. In addition, the Sabres will close out their pre-season schedule in Rochester on Friday, September 30 against the Minnesota Wild at 7:30 p.m.

This will be the second consecutive season the Sabres will play a regular season NHL game in Rochester. Buffalo and New Jersey skated to a hard-fought 2-2 tie on November 12, 2003, before a sold-out crowd of 11,146. The game featured Rochester-natives Rory Fitzpatrick of Buffalo, and Brian Gionta of New Jersey.

“I am thrilled that we will be returning to Rochester again this season,” said Larry Quinn, Sabres’ Managing Partner. “By giving our fans in Rochester this exciting opportunity to attend a live NHL game in their hometown, it further demonstrates our commitment to making the Buffalo Sabres a regional team.”

Washington is led by goaltender Olaf Kolzig, who played 48 games for the Rochester Americans during the 1992-93 season. Kolzig posted a regular season record of 25-16-4, and was a key component of the Amerks playoff run that saw them advance to the Calder Cup Finals.

Fans will also get an up-close look at Washington rookie forward Alexander Ovechkin, the first overall selection in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old Russian will make his much-anticipated NHL debut this year following four seasons with Moscow Dynamo of the Russian Super League. Last season, Ovechkin was a teammate of Sabres’ winger Maxim Afinogenov.

Tickets can be obtained by purchasing a special Rochester Five-Pack. This mini-pack consists of the Sabres/Capitals regular season game and the choice of any four Sabres games in any price category at HSBC Arena in Buffalo. Packages start as low as $101. Fans who purchase a Rochester Five-Pack by September 28 will receive a free ticket to the Sabres vs. Minnesota preseason game at the Blue Cross Arena on Friday, September 30 at 7:30 p.m.