The Buffalo Sabres’ game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Feb. 11 drew the highest local television rating so far this season for a Sabres telecast. The Eastern Conference matchup, which was broadcast on MSG and simulcast on WGRZ-TV in Buffalo and WHEC-TV in Rochester, posted a 12.6 rating and a 21 share regionally.

“Since January 1st, fans have been caught in the middle of the ongoing dispute between Time Warner Cable and MSG, but Sabres fans still find ways to follow the games live at MSG-sponsored viewing parties and local bars and restaurants,” said Buffalo Sabres President Ted Black. “We really appreciate MSG’s decision to buy the air time on WGRZ-TV in Buffalo and WHEC-TV in Rochester so that so many fans could watch the game in their own homes.”

The 12.6 rating indicates that 12.6 percent of television-equipped households were tuned into the game at some point during the broadcast and the 21 share means 21 percent of households watching TV in the region Satruday night were watching the game. In the Buffalo market, that translates to approximately 81,000 households. Ratings for the telecast peaked at a 16.2 (105,000 households) during the final 15 minutes of the game.

“We also want to thank NBC for its support,” Black said. “Saturday’s enormous rating is a testament to this collaborative effort and to the unwavering depth and passion for Buffalo Sabres hockey. We have about one-third of the regular season yet to play and we hope that Time Warner and MSG get together soon and resolve this dispute.”

Last Saturday’s ratings were the highest among the 49 Sabres games broadcast on MSG so far this season. The second-most viewed contest was the team’s game against Boston on Nov. 23, which drew a 12.1 rating and 20 share regionally.