Good morning, Buffalo. The fog is lifting, the sun is peeking out, and the Sabres just won four straight. Let's get into it.
Tage Thompson Scores Game-Winner in Gold Medal Homecoming
If you missed Tuesday night at KeyBank Center, you missed one of those nights. The Sabres honored Tage Thompson before the puck drop for bringing home Olympic gold with Team USA, and the man thanked the crowd the only way he knows how: he scored the game-winner. His mom, his wife, and his two kids were on the ice for the ceremony. Jack Eichel was standing right there in a Golden Knights jersey looking like the most uncomfortable man in Western New York. The crowd chanted USA. Goosebumps.
Final score: Sabres 3, Vegas 2. That's four straight wins and a 36-19-6 record. Buffalo now sits just two points behind Tampa Bay for first place in the Atlantic Division. Coach Lindy Ruff also quietly became only the second coach in NHL history to reach 700 career wins. Next up: Thursday night at Pittsburgh.
The Shah Alam Investigation Is Not Going Away
The death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam continues to demand answers. Shah Alam was a 56-year-old Rohingya refugee from Myanmar who was nearly blind and spoke almost no English. On February 19th, Border Patrol agents picked him up after his release from the Erie County Holding Center, then dropped him off alone at a closed Tim Hortons on Niagara Street at night without notifying his family or his attorney. His body was found five days later near KeyBank Center.
The federal agency called it a courtesy ride to a warm, safe location. Mayor Sean Ryan called it a dereliction of duty. He pointed out that agents could have made two phone calls at the Holding Center: one to his son and one to his lawyer, both regular visitors while he was in custody. The Erie County Medical Examiner is still investigating the cause of death. Buffalo homicide detectives are working the timeline.
His funeral was held last Thursday at a local mosque. His family wants his death to bring awareness. The story has gone national and Buffalo is watching closely to see what accountability actually looks like here.
Bills Free Agency Countdown: One Week Away
The legal tampering window opens Monday, March 9th, and the new league year kicks off Wednesday, March 11th. The Bills have 20 players hitting the open market and are currently sitting about $7.9 million over the salary cap. So yes, Brandon Beane has some math homework due before anyone signs anything.
The early legwork is in motion. Spencer Brown's contract was restructured to clear over $10 million in cap room. Beane and new head coach Joe Brady spent the week at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis laying the groundwork. Multiple league insiders say the Bills will strongly address wide receiver in the coming weeks, with names like Rashid Shaheed and Romeo Doubs already being connected to Buffalo. The draft is April 24th and the Bills hold the 26th pick. Wide receiver, offensive line, and pass rush all need attention. Beane has a plan. He always does. We just have to wait and see.
Gas Prices Up in Buffalo Niagara This Week
If you have been putting off filling up, sooner is probably better than later. Gas prices across the Buffalo Niagara region started climbing Tuesday following this past weekend's US military strikes on Iran. Expect it to keep ticking up in the short term depending on how the situation develops.
VanDeMark Chemical Closing Lockport Plant, 70 Jobs Gone
VanDeMark Chemical announced it will close its Lockport plant in the second half of this year, cutting 70 local jobs. No word yet on any transition support for the workers affected. We will keep an eye on this one as more details come out.
COMING UP
Sabres at Pittsburgh Thursday night Bills free agency tampering window opens Monday March 9 Shah Alam investigation continues with ongoing calls for federal accountability Rain moves in Thursday. This weekend temps could hit the mid-60s. March is absolutely unhinged.
That's your Wednesday, Buffalo. Have a great one and we will see you back here tomorrow morning.
THE BUFFALO BUZZ