Don't think for a minute that tonight's game was Buffalo's best effort.
It wasn't.
They were sloppy defensively and they made some costly mistakes against a very disciplined Carolina Hrricanes team.
That not withstanding, The Sabres extended their present winning streak to 7 games, with a 5-4 victory over the Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes.
Both teams played conservatively in the first period. As the gamne progressed, both teams started skating and creating. Great game!
Scott Walker opened the scoring for Carolina. Jason Pominville answered for Buffalo.
Five minutes into the game, the sabres forwards were guilty of cheating in the Carolina zone. The Carolina D, love to throw the long bomb pass, and they Eric Staal took off to the races, all alone oon Ryan Miller. The scene was eerily reminscent of the Philly game wher Richards had the penalty shot early in the game. In both instances, Ryan Miller amde HUGE saves in the early moments of the game. Miller's save on Staal certainly energized the Sabres team in the early going, and, reminded them to stop trying to force the issue with a very skilled group of forwards and a stingy/aggressive defensive unit.
The house was packed-again- and the home fans had their hate on for the suddenly sinister Canes. This game had all the emotion and energy Game 6 of the ECF in Buffalo.
"They are an extremely talented team. They've got some good players and they make smart plays", Derek Roy told me after the game.
"It makes it a hard game when their D is so active -- they play with their sticks in the lanes and they clog their zone very well. They don't give you many chances, but when they do , you've got to score on them. we played well, and once again, Millsy made some great saves and we earned the win".
Both teams turned up their skating game in the sesond and four goals were scored- two aside.
"Staal clunked one in off Hank (Tallinder's) skate and Millsy could not keep it from going in the net", Roy remarked.
Dmitri Kalinin joined Pominville on the rush while down a man.
Kalinin fooled Ward for his second goal of the season.
" Tree surprised Ward with jumping in while we were killing the penalty. Tree made a great shot and totally surprised Ward. He's a lefty and he has a great shot, he's been shooting it more and gaining confidence which is good to see", Pominville told me.
Max Afinogenov gave Bufalo the lead with his fourth of the season, just 58 seconds after Kalinin had tied the score at 2.
" Max is on fire. Our line is clicking because we're moving our skates and we're moving the puck. Our passing is getting better, too. The puck moves faster than the D, so we keep stressing that we need to move it around with some authority. The goal each shift is for me, Thomas and Max to use our speed and passing abilities to create pressure in the offensive zone. We crash the net and run a lot of backdoor plays, and, I think we made some nice plays tonight. We drove the net alot, and, I think that helps alot. I like the way we stayed patient in their zone. They don't have many well known defenseman, but they really make it difficult to get chances in their zone. That and Ward is so good at controlling shots and rebounds", said D. Roy.
Eric Belanger tied the game at 3 with a crazy bank shot off the back of Ryan Miller's skate.
In the third, The Sabres came out of the gate fast, and Vanek popped his fourth, a PP goal to give the Sabres the lead.
" I was in front of the net on that play, and Derek rolled it down to Maxi, and I know I can pop out for a one-timer. It worked out good."
" We have a fast team with fast feet, and then we skate we make it hard on the other team. Carolina are a lot like our team.
Jaro Spacek scored his second of the season moments later when he pounded his slapshot at the net, the puck clunked off a Carolina Dman's stick, and ended up behind Cam Ward.
With a 5-3 lead, The Sabres on a 5 on 3 PP, and 1:15 remaining in the game, things got hairy for the Sabres when Jason Pominville's pass was turned over and Eric Cole took it the length of the ice. Miller made the first save , but Bathrobe Commodore pounded home the rebound to make the score 5-4.
Pominville said his heart was pumping out of his chest at the end.
" I made a bad play there. I tried to go down low to Danny, but, I don't know if he batted it out of the air or if he just hit it, then they were gone the other way. I'll take the blame for that. My fault. It always sucks to give up a 5 on 3 goal especially with a two goal lead, like I say, I take the blame, and I'll be sharper next time."
The Buffalo sabres are now 7-0 and they've defeated six teams that qualified for the 2005/2006 Playoffs. They are not bitch slapping tomatoe cans. They are beating contenders. They've now beaten the defending Cup Champs twice this month.
Its a good time to be a Sabres fan.
To all the haters, don't break your ankles hopping on the wagon !!
******
Buffalo outshot Carolina 29 to 20.
Both teams were 1-5 on the PP.
Buffalo finished the game 30-26 in the faceoff dot, Chris Drury was 15-8; Carolina finished 26-30.
Buffalo outhit the Canes 22-11.
*****
The Sabres will charter to Boston tonight. They faceoff against the Bruins at 7pm saturday night.
Look for Marty Biron in the pipes in Boston.
*****
I'm going to mix me a Kettel One and Red Bull.
Smell ya later.
Garth
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