Sabres Classics: Buffalo defeats Atlanta following Pegula's introduction

The Buffalo Sabres' new era of ownership began with a blast from the past.

Terry Pegula was introduced to the fans in Buffalo prior to the team's game against the Atlanta Thrashers on Feb. 23, 2011. While Pegula waved to the crowd, three of his idols skated onto the ice to surprise him.

It would be the final public appearance made by the French Connection of Rick Martin, Gilbert Perreault, and Rene Robert prior to Martin's passing less than a month a later. The ceremony and ensuing 4-1 victory re-airs tonight at 8 p.m. on MSG.

The energy from the ceremony carried into the game. Tyler Myers opened the scoring in the first period. The Sabres responded to an Andrew Ladd goal early in the second with three unanswered goals from Paul Gaustad, Jason Pominville, and Tyler Ennis. Ryan Miller made 40 saves.

The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Sabres and moved them within three points of eighth-place Carolina. They went 16-4-4 for an NHL-best 36 points from that point on, securing the seventh seed in the playoffs.

Pegula addressed the team after the game.

"You definitely get energy from having him around," Miller told the media afterward when asked about the new Sabres owner. "It's nice to see him happy with the effort."