April 20, 2011.
That was the last time I attended a Stanley Cup Playoff game. It was a 1-0 win for the Buffalo Sabres over the Philadelphia Flyers that night, in front of a sold-out crowd at HSBC Arena that included 20-year-old Melissa and 18,689 others. With the win, the Sabres tied the series thanks to a goal from Jason Pominville. Ryan Miller had a 32-save shutout.
It’s been over 11 years since I got to experience in-person NHL playoff hockey. That year, 2011, was the last time the Sabres made the playoffs.