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- Jack Eichel couldn’t stop himself from chirping Sabres fans during his first game in Buffalo since being traded to the Golden Knights
- The Sabres managed to spoil Eichel’s homecoming by winning the grudge match
- Read more NHL news here
There was an insane amount of buzz surrounding Thursday night’s showdown between the Nets and the 76ers, as all eyes turned to Philadelphia to see the treatment Ben Simmons would get from fans in the City of Brotherly Love after stepping back into Wells Fargo Center for the first time since he was traded.
Simmons may not have actually played in the contest, but that didn’t stop spectators from giving him the reception everyone expected (although he was able to get the last laugh after Brooklyn blew out his former squad).
However, Thursday night also featured a similarly intriguing grudge match featuring a player who was actually in action, as the game between the Sabres and the Golden Knights marked the first time Jack Eichel took the ice in Buffalo since he was traded to Las Vegas following a contentious saga that stemmed from disagreements with his former franchise about how to treat a neck injury.
It was much easier to sympathize with Eichel’s plight as opposed to the situation Simmons essentially created for himself, but that didn’t stop plenty of boobirds from coming out in full force at KeyBank Center after he took to the ice.
Jack Eichel leaves the ice at the end of warmups and hears boos from Sabres fans. #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/ifebnB5Puf
— David Schoen 🗞 (@DavidSchoenLVRJ) March 10, 2022
Mostly boos for Jack Eichel in his return to Buffalo during a video tribute 👇pic.twitter.com/vuzFwAqKoN
— Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) March 11, 2022
Loud boos every time Eichel touches the puck. pic.twitter.com/CJ41ap3fN2
— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) March 11, 2022
The Sabres were able to ruin Eichel’s homecoming by walking away with a 3-1 victory, but the former captain couldn’t stop himself from chirping their fans by taking credit for what he said was the loudest crowd he’d ever heard in Buffalo.
Jack Eichel: yeah, it's about the loudest I've heard this building ever. Really, it only took seven years and me leaving to get into the game……..they must just be booing me because they wish I was still here 👀 @WKBW pic.twitter.com/2FatvHS1d7
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) March 11, 2022
It’s safe to say those comments did not sit well with plenty of people who were more than happy to clap back.
jack eichel ripping sabres fans when he failed to lead his team to a single meaningful hockey game in seven years is one of the greatest self-owns
— Ryan Mura (@RyanMura) March 11, 2022
jack eichel is fucking dead to me. sore loser.
— chloe wojtanik (@chloewojj) March 11, 2022
For Eichel to say it only took us 7 years to get into yet is insane. This city was obsessed with him. Defended. Sorry people don’t appreciate your trade request 2 years into an 8 year deal.
Sabres fans backed him through the entire down years
True colors showing for him.
— Brad (@BradTheBarrel) March 11, 2022
Sabres were keen on moving Eichel not only because of neck issues, but because of risk of high cholesterol due to extreme levels of saltiness https://t.co/wLS1KDawkn
— Brother Bill (@BrotherBill716) March 11, 2022
Jack Eichel is being petty and sour while Sam Reinhart is scoring hattricks. I think we know who the real king is.
— u o u u ɐ ɥ s (@_NOTSHANNON) March 11, 2022
If Jack Eichel thought tonight was bad, he better buckle up for the next round after taking those shots at #Sabres fans.
— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) March 11, 2022
We’ll sadly have to wait until next season for a rematch, but this is the kind of drama the NHL needs.