The Buffalo Sabres had a “scary good” Halloween Night in an 8-3 thrashing over the Detroit Red Wings. But Tage Thompson had a historic evening.
Tage Thompson had a historic night in the Buffalo Sabres big win over the Detroit Red Wings. Over the summer, Tage signed a seven-year contract extension, which, predictably, was met with mixed reviews.
But for at least one evening, Tage silenced the haters and went off for a hat trick and six total points as the Sabres poured it onto their Atlantic Division rival. But how historic was Tage’s Halloween night? Here are three fun facts.
1 – Tage moved up to fourth in the league in goals at home
Since the 2021-22 NHL Season began, Tage’s big night has let him rank fourth in goals scored at home with 30, behind only Auston Matthews, Kirill Kaprizov, and David Pastrnak. In an earlier article, I mentioned how much of an honor it is to be mentioned in the same sentence as the great Gilbert Perreault. Well, it’s also a good thing to sit just three goals behind Matthews, one of the greatest players in the league today.
Most goals at home since the start of 2021-22:
— The Charging Buffalo (@TheChargingBUF) November 1, 2022
1. A. Matthews (33)
2. K. Kaprizov (32)
3. D. Pastrnak (31)
4. T. Thompson (30) #Sabres pic.twitter.com/R26FxipTK7
2 – Tage’s six points were the most in a game for a Sabre since 1993
The Buffalo Sabres are striking gold with Thompson. Not only did he enjoy a few historic evenings last season, but his historic Halloween 2022 brought up milestones not seen in 30 seasons. Tage’s six points on Halloween night was the most by a Sabre since February 10th, 1993, when Pat LaFontaine accomplished the feat.
It was a #HockeyHalloween to remember for Tage Thompson, who tallied a career-high six points in the @BuffaloSabres’ 8-3 win at KeyBank Center.#NHLStats: https://t.co/L5lmpvLsGD pic.twitter.com/mZoaGypTRp
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 1, 2022
3 – Tage’s points total tied for the most in a single game on Halloween
Who did Tage tie? Bobby Clarke and the GOAT, Wayne Gretzky. In one night alone, Tage didn’t just do something Perreault never did, which was to score nine points across two games; he also tied Gretzky in a milestone. And while it’s premature to even begin to compare Tage (or anyone) to Gretzky, we can at least say he is in pretty good company to have his name next to the NHL great in something.
Tage Thompson became the first @BuffaloSabres player in nearly 30 years with a six-point game and joined two Hall of Famers atop an all-time #HockeyHalloween list. 🎃#NHLStats: https://t.co/L5lmpvLsGD pic.twitter.com/hM5i8Vrm9r
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 1, 2022
Overall, Tage Thompson had an unforgettable Halloween. But to make lists that include Gilbert Perrault and Wayne Gretzky makes it even more memorable. Now the question bodes: Will Tage’s success continue? My prediction? I can confidently say it will, barring anything unforeseen.
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