Clinton’s pre-season NHL game won after garnering the most votes in the country for the 2018 Kraft Hockeyville title will be between the Buffalo Sabres and Columbus Blue Jackets Tuesday, Sept. 25.
As of now the game is being considered for play at the Clinton Arena, which will also receive $150,000 in repairs as part of the winnings. The decision on where will be finalized in the summer.
The Sabres will be looking to improve on this year’s last place finish in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference, where they went 25-45. The division was won by Tampa Bay, which is one of four teams still in the NHL playoffs as of last weekend.
The dismal year did earn the Sabres the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft thanks to having the worst record in the NHL.
Columbus did a little better in the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference, finishing fifth with a record of 45-30. That division was won by Washington, also still in the playoffs as of last week. Washington knocked out the Blue Jackets in the first round of the playoffs this season in six games.
Clinton joins other communities that have celebrated their Hockeyville title with a visit by current and retired NHL players.
For the full story, check newsstands for this week's edition of The Waterville Times. You can also request a previous issue of The Waterville Times.