Sports Then and Now

Thomas Vanek comes within inches of tying the game as he shoots one off the post.

Buffalo (12-4-1) vs. Florida (7-9-2)

The score did not resemble the game at all. For about 50 minutes, it was a one goal game. Here is how it happened:

Drew Stafford scored the first goal of the game late in the first period, his sixth of the season. Coming into the game, Buffalo is 9-0-1 when scoring the first goal.

Florida answered back just a few minutes later when Michael Frolik scored his third goal in the last five games.

The Panthers outshot the Sabres 12-7 after the first.

Paul Gaustad leads the NHL with a 68.2 faceoff win perctage.

Ryan Miller gave Stephen Weiss his sixth of the season. Miller misplayed the puck right in front of the net, allowing Weiss to put the Panthers on top 2-1.

Buffalo outhout the Panthers 10-5 in the 2nd, but were unable to knot the game up. Craig Rivet came close on the powerplay as he rung one off the post.

The Panthers have only won two of six when going into the third with a lead.

Cory Stillman scored his sixth of the season, sealing the deal for the Panthers.

Clarke MacArthur narrowed the margin back to one with a powerplay goal.

Patrick Kaleta was called for a questionable interference penalty with three minutes to go. Florida’s Frolik capitalized by scoring a powerplay goal.

Head coach Lindy Ruff decided to pull Miller with two minutes to go. The plan backfired right away. Rostislav Olesz scored on the empty net.

Steve Montador skates away from Gregory Campbell in the first period on Wednesday night.

Even more damaging, Dominic Moore added another Panthers goal with a minute left. The Panthers went on to win the game by a score of 6-2.

Miller allowed five goals on 23 shots, certainly not one of his better performances. Buffalo was in the game until Kaleta took the penalty. From that point on, Florida took complete control and left Buffalo with two points.

Buffalo did not show up Wednesday night. They did not take Florida seriously. The Panthers always play with passion, and it showed as they defeated Buffalo.

Buffalo falls to 12-5-1
Panthers improve to 8-9-2

The Sabres will remain at home to host the Bruins Friday night at 7:30

For any more Buffalo Sabres news and information check out Kevin at www.sabreshockeycentral.com