The Sabres practiced in HSBC Arena today before busing to Toronto, and the brief stay allowed the team to see the new logoed carpet in the dressing room. New owner Terry Pegula had it installed Thursday.
"We’ve been on the road a little while here, and we’ve been grinding along," goaltender Ryan Miller said. "To come home and have them do something nice for us, it feels good."
Miller joined assistant equipment manager George Babcock in laying down the law: No one is allowed to walk on the logo, even though it’s part of the floor.
"Georgy wasn’t kidding: You’ll be bleeding out of your eyes," Miller said. "Nobody’s walking over the emblem. Show a little respect."
Coach Lindy Ruff was impressed by the etched glass at the entrance of the dressing room that features Pegula’s oft-cited quote, "From this point forward, the Buffalo Sabres’ reason for existence will be to win the Stanley Cup."
"You walk in, and that’s what it’s all about," Ruff said. "They did a great job."
---John Vogl
