Sabres scrimmage draws huge crowd

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - More than 10,000 fans filled the seats at First Niagara Center Monday night to watch the Sabres scrimmage.

The official attendance number landed at 10,175 for the evening.

Minor league forward Brian Flynn opened the scoring in the first period, finding the net off a two-on-one situation. Andrej Sekera quickly answered for the white team, tying the game at 1-1.

The score stayed tied through three periods, forcing a shootout. Cody Hodgson scored the lone shootout goal to give the white team a 2-1 win.

With Monday being just the second day of training camp - and the first day open to fans - players walked away impressed by the turnout.

"I drove in before the game and saw the front of the building, drove by the team store - it was packed with people," said Sabres captain Jason Pominville. "That's what this city's all about. They love their hockey."

"There was a little extra jump in the stride," said Sabres Head Coach Lindy Ruff. "The pace was real good out there."

The remainder of training camp will also be open to the public, beginning with a morning practice Tuesday from 10:30am-12:30pm.