1973–74 Buffalo Sabres season
| 1973–74 Buffalo Sabres | |
|---|---|
| Division | 5th East |
| 1973–74 record | 32–34–12 |
| Home record | 23–10–6 |
| Road record | 9–24–6 |
| Goals for | 242 |
| Goals against | 250 |
| Team information | |
| General Manager | Punch Imlach |
| Coach | Joe Crozier |
| Captain | Gerry Meehan |
| Alternate captains |
Don Luce Gilbert Perreault Jim Schoenfeld |
| Arena | Buffalo Memorial Auditorium |
| Average attendance | 15,668 |
| Team leaders | |
| Goals | Rick Martin (52) |
| Assists | Rene Robert (44) |
| Points | Rick Martin (86) |
| Penalties in minutes | Larry Carriere (103) |
| Wins | Dave Dryden (23) |
| Goals against average | Dave Dryden (2.97) |
The 1973–74 Buffalo Sabres season was the Sabres' fourth season in the National Hockey League.
Early on the morning of February 21, 1974, while driving on the Queen Elizabeth Way from Toronto to Buffalo in his white De Tomaso Pantera sports car, (a gift from Sabres' GM George "Punch" Imlach), Horton was involved in what is now an infamous accident. He was negotiating a curve on the QEW where it crosses over Twelve Mile Creek in St. Catharines when he lost control and hit a cement culvert. The impact flipped the vehicle and Horton was thrown. He was not wearing a seat belt. Horton was reported dead on arrival at the local hospital, aged only 44. A police officer pursuing Horton's vehicle said that he had been travelling at over 160 km/h (100 mph).
There were reports Horton had consumed a considerable amount of vodka, and was rumoured to have been taking pain killers due to a jaw injury suffered in practice the day before. An autopsy report released in 2005 showed Horton had a blood alcohol level of twice the legal limit. The blood test also showed signs of amobarbital, which was possibly a residue from the Dexamyl pills that were found on Horton's body. The autopsy showed no indication Horton was taking painkillers as previously thought.
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average
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