Buffalo Sabres: Nikita Zadorov Fights Ian Cole After Cheap Hit (Video)

Yes, I know the Buffalo Sabres lost 6-1 Tuesday night against the St Louis Blues. Sometimes though, the score-line doesn’t necessarily give a fair reflection the game.

Nov 11, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Ian Cole (28) leaves the ice after a fight in the game between the St. Louis Blues and the Buffalo Sabres during the second period at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Truth be told, the Sabres were always likely to lose against a team with one of the best lines in the NHL. However, that doesn’t change the fact they were doing a respectable job of holding their own, until three power play goals in the final four minutes of the game.

Of course, there’s every chance this will do little to appease Ted Nolan. While being fully aware of the Sabres (un)official strategy of tanking this season, Nolan is visibly struggling with coaching a losing hockey team.

Maybe the way his players reacted after a cheap hit by Ian Cole on Tyler Ennis will help the Sabres head coach realise he should stick around for the long haul. For anyone who missed it, here’s the hit and the ensuing melee again:

There was absolutely no need for Cole to do that. (I think I’ve found a new player to sports-hate.) Special kudos go to Ennis and Nikita Zadorov, who were both involved in their first ever NHL fights.

Nolan gave his take to the media after the game: “You get mad and you get angry. Someone does something to one of our best players who’s not a very big man.

“A guy fights him and thinks he’s won the heavyweight championship of the world and all of a sudden you showboat it? Of course you’ve got to stand up and defend.”

Sabres captain Brian Gionta also discussed what happened, while wondering how this could help the team moving forward: ““Guys are sticking up for each other and recognizing situations and that’s good.

“You play with that intensity, we’ll be better off. We need to play more like that. Get mad, get into the game.”

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