Jack Eichel had never played 3 on 3 hockey before Monday night. By all accounts, the kid is going to be a terror in the NHL's newly adopted 3-on-3 overtime format. Eichel scored the OTGWG is decisive and dramatic fashion to give his Sabres the 3-2 win. The Sabres finished their inaugural prospects challenge mini-tourney a perfect 2-0 record.
Eichel's size, strength and desire created the game winner. He appeared to be a rubbed out on the wall by the aggressive Boston D. However, Eichel clicked on his on demand four whell drive and blew right through the check and then was rewarded for his courage and grit.
Eichel's fingerprints were found smeared all over this battle with the Bruins. He activated his power and finesse game and wowed the crowd.
Of the OTGWG Eichel told me:
"I just kept my legs moving. I knew I had Rhino with me (Reinhart) busting the zone and if I could get it out in front, we'D have an odd man rush."
On a dozen different occasions, Eichel showed why he is considered to be a generational talent. He drew three or four penalties that led to several great scoring chances of the power play. He skated with authority through checks along the walls. He initiated contact. He shot the puck with strength and accuracy. His passing was off the charts great. His vision is as precise as that of American eagle. Eichel, the second overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, put his teammates on his back and delivered them to the victory.
The Bruins charged out to a fast 2-0 lead on a listless Sabres team who didn't have an answer for Boston's physicality in the first twenty minutes.
The Sabres corrected their course and carried the play in the final forty five minutes.
Defenseman Jake McCabe told me that "we came out flat in the first period and it led to a 2-0 lead for them (Boston)". McCabe said he told the group in between periods to adhere to Randy Cunneyworth's keys to the game, which included finishing checks and being more difficult to play against. THe Sabres answered the bell and controlled the majority of play in the second period. They leaned on the Bruins and knocked them around, fighting fire with fire.
Burly D-man Brady Austin threw a massive upper cut that drop Bruins D Josh Hickman.
Eichel told me: " The "Ozzy" (Brady Austin ) fight should not go unnoticed. "That was big for us".
Eichel told me that going down 2-0 to Bruins in the first period, then storming back to beat them 3-2 in overtime was a "stepping stone for us".
Vaclav Karabacek got Buffalo on the board first. Then Eichel found streaking D-man Brycen Martin with a perfectly executed cross box saucer pass. Martin beat Bruins goalie McIntyre with a back door beauty. Eichel's pass was sick. Martin's finish was equally impressive.
Both teams traded chances in the late stages of the third period. Then, it was off to 3-on-3 OT where Eichel threw a dagger through the hearts of his hometown Bruins Bruins. The Boston University Terrier scored the tournament winner with 37 seconds remaining in OT.
Fittingly, Eichel scored the OTGWG by beating Bruins agitator Anton Blidh in a foot race down the wall. It was Blidh who face washed and roughed up Eichel after a first period whistle. I asked Eichel is he was aware that he exacted revenge on Blidh.
"It's hockey. Its a physical game. He's just trying to do his job".
Eichel told me that beating the Bruins had meaning for him and his Sabres teammates.
"It's nice. There's a couple familiar faces over there. Jay Pandolfo is on their bench. It's a nice feeling"
Thanks, Sabres.com
Credit to Randy Cunneyworth for moving Reinhart up to Eivchel-Rodrigues line in the third period. The move forced the Bruins to respect Buffalo's high octane line.
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Eichel and his Boston University teammate Evan Rodrigues led Buffalo with 3 points ach in two games at the first ever Prospects Challenge.
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