SENS 5
SABRES 3
Boxscore
The Sabres 6 game winning streak is over. They'll have a chance to start a new streak this Friday night in Newark and, then again in Pittsburgh.
Buffalo allowed themselves to fall into a three goal deficit, and they could not close the gap.
Ottawa were in a giving mood tonight, however, the Sabres were content to not press the issue.
The Sens took a dumb penalty with 2:49 remaining in a 4-3 game. You got the sense that the Sabres were thinking about Vanek's comeback goal with 7.3 seconds left in Philly on Saturday night. History has a way of repeating itself, right?
Not tonight.
Buffalo were non-commital on the game deciding PP, and they were sloppy when they needed to be sharp and focused.
Game. Set. Match.
Ottawa wins.
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Sluggish start for each team.
Ryan Miller and Martin Gerber have been impressive in the first period.
Each team has had down low pressure. Nothing sustained.
Al Kotalik had Gerber dead to rights inside the hashmarks, however, he clunked a laser off Gerber's crossbar, for Buffalo's only real scoring chance of the period.
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Tim Connolly pelted Martin Gerber right between the eyes with a point bomb that was deflected off the stick of an Ottawa Dman. The Ottawa goalie was in obvious discomfort following the play.
Buffalo will continue to shoot high to test Gerber's vision.
* Gaustad takes first penalty.
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Max Afinogenov is playing in his 500th NHL game tonight.
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1-0 Ottawa: 1:42 of the second period, Antoinne Vermette scores from 43 feet out on a simple backhander. Sheane Donovan had screened Miller long enough to distract Miller.
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1-1: Jochen banked a shot off Gerber's pants and ties the score at 1s.
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2-1 Ottawa: Redden joins.. PPG
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3-1 Ottawa: Chris Neil interferes with Miller, while Miller was tending to a loose puck in his crease..... Mike Fisher pots the loose change. Its OK for an opposing forward to make contact with the goalie, while the goalie is working in his crease, right?
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The Sabres were outshot, out scored, and out worked in the second period.
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3rd Period:
:26 seconds, third period, Alfie scores on the 39 foot slapper.
4-1 Ottawa.
4:21: Soup scorches his point shot past Gerber.
4-2 Ottawa.
Paille threads the needle to Mair.......Mairsy direct deposits...
4-3 Ottawa
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