Grand Opening: Buffalo Sabres arrive at SAP Garden

Wednesday, 25. September 2024 | Grand Opening: Buffalo Sabres arrive at SAP Garden

The Buffalo Sabres are here! NHL stars are already training in the SAP Garden // NEWSThe countdown is on, the SAP Garden opens its doors in just two days. The Grand Opening starts on Friday at 8:30 pm with the game between EHC Red Bull Munich and the NHL team Buffalo Sabres. The guests from the USA have been in town since Wednesday.

The Sabres squad landed at Munich Airport late Wednesday morning. The Bavarian capital presented itself in bright sunshine and blue skies. And the SAP Garden was also at its best when the NHL players set foot in our new home in the Olympic Park for the first time. The NHL stars first worked up a sweat in the huge fitness room before training on the ice surface of training hall 1 from 3 p.m. onwards.

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Das erste Eistraining der Buffalo Sabres im SAP Garden in Bildern (25.09.2024)

Sabres star Tuch: "A beautiful building"

Alex Tuch is one of the Sabres' stars. The US-American with the number 89 was Buffalo's top scorer in the last NHL season. Tuch has already seen many arenas - and this is not his first time in Munich. Last year, he played with the USA national team against the German national team in our old home, the Olympic Ice Stadium. His verdict on the SAP Garden: "It's a beautiful building. The gym is incredible, as are the training halls and the bowl. It's great how everything is connected."

A teammate as the perfect city guide

Tuch is looking forward to the days in Munich, including a visit to the Oktoberfest. "I've never been there before, because we normally play in North America at that time. I'm really looking forward to it," says the 28-year-old. He added: "In JJ (Peterka), we have the perfect city guide in our team. He will show us Munich and has already thought of a few things for us."

Peterka: "Wants to take on more responsibility"

As a native of Munich, Sabres forward Peterka knows his way around. He was drafted by the Sabres in 2020 and is now one of the club's most important players. Last season, he scored 28 goals - only Tage Thomson scored more once for Buffalo. This season, he wants to "take on more responsibility and make the playoffs."

How the SAP Garden lettering came to be on the facade

Back to the roots: Peterka's special game

But first he wants to tease his former Munich teammates: "I grew up here, turned pro here and trained with the boys here in the summer. My family will be there on Friday. The game will be very special." For the Sabres, it's the dress rehearsal before the NHL season opener in Prague, Czech Republic. Buffalo will face the New Jersey Devils there on October 4 and 5.

Further highlights after the Grand Opening Game

The Grand Opening Game is an absolute highlight for the Red Bulls - although not the only one in the coming weeks. Preparation for the next PENNY DEL game on Sunday (4:30 pm) in Straubing begins immediately afterwards. Our boys will be looking to build on their two wins on the opening weekend.

Then the 2024/25 home season begins with the sold-out DEL premiere against the Grizzlys Wolfsburg. Tickets for the home games between October 4 and November 1 are still available here.