Emotional night in Buffalo as legendary announcer Rick Jeanneret signs off for the last time

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C. Ritchie
April 30, 2022 (7:29)

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The Buffalo Sabres season finales usually are meaningless games that aren't worth watching. The team hasn't been competitive for many years now, unable to make the playoffs since 2011. But Friday night's finale was special.

Rick Jeanneret joined the Buffalo Sabres as their radio play-by-play announcer in only their second season of existence in 1971. He switched over to television at the start of the 1995-96 season. Friday night was the last game he called for the team after 51 years. The organization and players did lots of little things to honour the man they call «RJ». From notes on his office door, tributes throughout the night and even some players dawning his face on their skates.

But the best thing the Buffalo Sabres could do was to give Jeanneret one last win. It was an overtime winner by Casey Moddlestat the sent the calls of «ohhhhhhvertime» one last time over the airwaves.

After the game they let Rick Jeanneret address the fans. It was nothing short of emotional.

Thanks for traveling around with me on this road for the last half-century. All of you. Thank you very kindly. It's been a helluva ride.

At 79 years old RJ deserves to finally enjoy some time off.

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