Sabres play a smart first 45 minutes then they sit idly by and watch the Canes dominate the final 15 minutes of regulation.
Hecht blows a glorious opportunity to win the game in OT by passing when he should have been shooting on a 3 on 1.
Two losses in a row for a Buffalo team who have been stuck in a 'win one, lose one rut' in recent weeks.
Lalime did his job, however, he can't put the puck in the net. poor game by the forwards in the offensive zone.
*****
Shootout:
Ruutuu misses.
Kotalik misses.
Jokinen scores.
Pommer wires it off the pipe.
Cullen stuffed.
Connolly's stuffed on the backhand.
2-1 Canes
Florida, with its win in NYC, moves to 70 points, while Buffalo and Carolina are knotted at 69.
*****
OT:
Great job by the Sabres to recover loose pucks in the 4 on 4 session. Excellent work by Jochen hecht to butcher a potentially game deciding 3 on 1 break in OT. Hecht opted to get cute--again--- to pass the puck, rather than scream a shot at Ward. Even if Ward makes the save on a Hecht shot, two other Sabres were in position to grab a rebound.
****
3rd Period:
After the tying goal, the canes took control of the game.
1-1
Spacho heads to the Buffalo room under duress... moments later, former Sabre Mike Ryan feeds babchuk at the point-- his slapper from the blueline beats Lalime.
Looks like Buffalo will finish this game with 5 Dmen.
***
Spacho is down after taking a high stick to the grille from a Carolina player. He's slow to get to his feet.
***
Lindy must be appreciating how his forwards are coming back to help in the Buffalo end. seeing five men in the Buffalo zone must give Lalime solace and comfort.
***
Sabres need the next two goals. They can't wait for Carolina to get back into the game. Gotta grab both points.
*****
2nd Period:
After 40, its all Buffalo. 23-12 shots on goal in favour of Buffalo.
***
1-0 Buffalo
@ 12:43 Goose, Mac, then Kaleta drive the freight train to Cam Ward's crease. PK picks up Mac's rebound and pounds it home for the 1-0 Buffalo lead. Buffalo needed that first goal. Kaleta's 4th of the season. Big goal in a big game! Assists to 41 and 28.
*****
Buffalo are a better team when they are playing with the lead. Four consecutive scoreless periods against the Canes. Sabres need the first goal tonight.
*****
1st Period:
Sabres play an energetic first period. Lots of shots, no goals.
***
Despite not practicing in Buffalo on Wednesday, Patty Lalime looked sharp in the 1st period, making several saves with the glove. His rebound control has been solid as well.
****
Bump the goalie, right? Again, the Sabres allow an opponent to bump their goalie after a whistle. this time its young Bayda who could not resist the temptation to bump Lalime vis a vi into the Buffalo dman after a whistle. Bayda's a brave man to do it with Rivet, Kaleta, and Goose on the ice. How about pimp slapping bayda to the ice next shift?
****
Penalty trouble plagues Buffalo. Lydman and Kaleta take a seat--- Canes havea 5 on 3..
Lydman's out.. gets a chance on Ward at the other end.... Connolly, Pommer, and Lydman see to it that the 5 on 3 is killed off. good PK.
*****
Derek Roy and Jason Pominville have been ice cold in recent games. Lindy is loyal to his vets, however, a quick hook may be applied if 9 and 29 fail to produce tonight.
*********
Move over Patty Lalime. You'll start against the Canes tonight.
The news gets better for Buffalo.
Thomas Vanek has spoken, and it appears as though #26 is preparing to make his return to the Sabres lineup as soon as next week.
Vanek spoke with the media today, his first presser, since suffering his broken jaw against Ottawa earlier in the month. He's targeting next week to return to the Buffalo lienup.
Vanek has been skating with the scarlet sweater on this week. Red means "Do Not Touch" in NHL speak. he'll continue to skate with the club, pending his clearance by team physicians. Once he gets the greenlight, he will return.
Vanek wore a full face shield at U Minnesota, and will do so again once he makes his return. Shouldn't be an impairment or concern for a guy who had to wear a mandatory windshield in NCAA hockey. If it were Teppo or Rivet having to bolt on a shield, there might be an adjustment period. HDTV should not have a problem with it.
More shortly.
****
Teppo, Paetsch and Petey sit out again tonight.
***
Steve Begin was moved from Montreal to Dallas today. What was Gainey thinking? Begin is a little ball of hate and he plays an integral role on the forecheck and the walls.
***
Ryan Whitney for Kunitz and an OHLer?
WOW!
Wonder if Buffalo had a sniff at Whitney? The kid is going to be a star in the NHL.
***
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