The wait is over. The $9 million extension is in the rear view mirror and Tim Connolly found his mojo Friday night. TC explodes for two goals and two assists in Buffalo 5-1 win over the Coyotes. Patty Lalime played his ass off AGAIN, Drew Stafford found the back of the net, and Jason Pominville ended his prolonged goal drought.
5-1 Sabres.
Wasn't exactly a skate on the backyard rink, as the Sabres found themselves on the business end of the penaly discrepancy. At one point, the Sabres were rung up for 6 penalties to Phoenix's 2.
Wayne Gretzky- "that first goal I'm sure Bryzgalov would like to have back. We started really well and the first goal was kind of a weird goal, then we just missed some chances. I thought Lalime was really good. Then, we got back into it 3 to 1, and we kinda came up short. I thought our guys realoly battled. I'm proud of our effort tonight.... there was lot going on tonight. I thought it was a chippy game to say the least".
****
Dominic Moore- Newly minted Sabre centre made an immediate impact by killing penalties with Tim Connolly. Moore gushed about his new team's attention to details on the PK.
"speacial teams is obviously a huge part of the game, and the way the game is, there's not a lot of 5 on 5 and obviously the difference you can make killing and on the powepllay, and hopefully i can help out with that.
"I thought it was a good first game and it started with great goaltending. I also thought our special teams were tye difference tonight, it felt good for me to be out there with my new teammates and to learn the new system a little bit. I just think it was a good game all the way around".
Moore found himself smack dab in the middle of all the acton, early and often, as the Sabres were called for multiple minors early in the game. Moore and his new PK buddy, Connolly, pulled on their boots and went to work.
"Tim was good. He almost scored shorthanded. I think when you have two guys with good speed, they can feed off each other". And feed they did. 19 and 17 formed the box and did not allow the otes to penetrate it. Each play a poised PK game: sticks in lanes, head up, feet moving at all time, and a keen sense of what needs to be done with loose pucks. Connolly told me that he spoke with Moore betweeen PK shifts so that each would have an idea where each other were on the ice. It worked.
"Communication is the key. I let Dominic know where I was going to be and he did the same for me. He communicates well. He's got good hockey smarts", TC said of Moore. I asked Connolly if he thought that Moore's instincts come as a result of him being a Harvard boy.
"Maybe", TC said with a laugh.
Is Moore the first Harvard guy that Connolly has played with, I asked.
"Yes I have actually. Ted Drury played at Harvard-- Chris Drury's brother. He was my roomate on Long Island my first season. Pretty smart guys (Drury and Moore)....".
Chalk this one up to stingy special teams.
"I really thought our penalty killers did great job, they frustrated the other team early in the game and they did not give up chances. Thats huge for us", remarked Patty Lalime who loved his team's PK efforts.
****
Now its on to Ottawa for another dog fight with the Sens.
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