Buffalo Bills security Damar Hamlin continues to be on the minds on many after he collapsed and went into cardiac arrest on the sector in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday evening.
On Tuesday evening, Buffalo Sabres gamers arrived for his or her recreation in opposition to the Washington Capitals in D.C. sporting “LOVE FOR 3” shirts to indicate their assist for Hamlin.
The Sabres put collectively an impressed effort and got here away with a 5-4 time beyond regulation win in opposition to the Capitals. Star heart Tage Thompson’s hat trick carried the franchise to its seventh win during the last eight video games.
As spectacular as that efficiency was, Sabres normal supervisor Kevyn Adams did not need to speak about what occurred on the ice after Tuesday’s contest.
“What occurred final evening is one thing that makes the sport itself and any sport secondary, so it was a tricky day for all of us,” Adams stated of Hamlin’s damage. “There’s an emotional connection to town from our crew. It was robust, to be trustworthy, this morning, the conversations. But [players] additionally, I believe, understand how a lot our crew means to this metropolis and simply needed to have the ability to exit and do what we may at this time to place our greatest foot ahead.”
Adams added that the concept of the gamers carrying the matching “LOVE FOR 3” shirts got here from captain Kyle Okposo and several other different gamers.
The Capitals additionally confirmed their assist for Hamlin, who stays in essential situation in a Cincinnati hospital. Washington held a second of silence previous to the nationwide anthem and confirmed a picture of Hamlin on the jumbotron.
“I believe what comes via from our gamers is how a lot they care concerning the folks in Buffalo,” Adams added. “And I believe in addition they really feel that there is lots of people which are serious about much more vital issues than a hockey recreation, however let’s attempt to go on the market and do our greatest.”
Perhaps it was only a coincidence, however Hamlin’s No. 3 gave the impression to be a theme on Tuesday. Thompson registered three objectives, with the third coming precisely three minutes into the time beyond regulation interval on Jan. 3. The three objectives additionally introduced Thompson’s season whole to 30.
Thompson’s four-point efficiency introduced him to 55 factors on the season, which is third behind solely Edmonton Oilers stars Connor McDavid (73) and Leon Draisaitl (58). Even on an evening during which Capitals star Alex Ovechkin scored a pair of objectives, the Sabres weren’t going to be denied.
The Sabres return dwelling on Saturday once they’ll host the Minnesota Wild.
