The Buffalo Sabres suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Montreal Canadiens in Game 7. After the game, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff shared some truly heartfelt words about his players and their season. Now, fans are praising Ruff for what he said.
To have a season end in a Game 7 overtime loss is devastating. On Monday, the Buffalo Sabres experienced exactly that when Alex Newhook scored the game-winning 3–2 goal 11 minutes into overtime.
READ MORE: Jakub Dobes takes jab at Sabres fans after OT win
Canadiens vs. Hurricanes
For the Canadiens, the season continues in Carolina against the Hurricanes on May 21. For the Sabres, a long summer awaits.
“It’s tough. It stings. I thought we played hard all year to get to this point. I don’t think anyone in this room felt like we were done yet. Just disappointed,” Sabres forward Tage Thompson told reporters after the game.
Lindy Ruff press conference
At the press conference following the devastating loss, Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff expressed his pride in the team’s season.
“It hurts. I told the team it hurts. That pain will go away. But I won’t let this one game define the season we had. I told the players how proud I was of them. The battle we took into Game 6 in Montreal, then coming back here and giving ourselves every chance to win. This one game doesn’t define our season for us,” Ruff said at the press conference.
Fans praise Ruff
Now, fans are praising Lindy Ruff for his kind words.
“Proud of them — and you too, coach!” one fan wrote on X.
“Much respect for Buffalo. Ruff did a fantastic job,” another person wrote.
“Ruff is the best. He brought real hockey back to this city,” a third fan chimed in.
You can watch the press conference below.
READ MORE: Rasmus Dahlin’s first words after Game 7 OT loss
