Sports Then and Now

Courtesy of Sabres Hockey Central

The Sabres played three games this past week, all of which were decided by one goal. Although Buffalo did not lose, they did not play very well, explained Head Coach Lindy Ruff.

The Sabres began the week by hosting Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Halfway through the game, the Sabres found themselves trailing 3-0. The team was not playing well at all, but they began to get some quality scoring chances. Former Sabre Jay Mckee fell on the puck in his own crease, allowing Buffalo a opportunity with a penalty shot.

Ryan Miller makes a save in the first period.

Drew Stafford would get Buffalo on the board, but still trailing by two. Only a couple minutes later, Stafford would score again, and just like that Buffalo was back in the game. In the third period, Paul Gaustad tied the game up, and Buffalo was in business. In overtime, Jason Pominville would get the game winning goal, and the Sabres completed the comeback.

On Saturday, the Sabres took on an Atlanta team that they have not defeated in six tries. Buffalo got off to a similar start as the game against Pittsburgh. They fell behind by three, and needed a superb effort to get back into the game.

All of the Thrashers goals came in the second period, and Buffalo was down quick. Down but not out. Jochen Hecht got the Sabres on the board at the end of the second, but still trailed by two. Hecht would contribute again in the third, along with Tim Connolly, and Buffalo overcame another three goal deficit.

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Buffalo (19-9-2) vs. Montreal (15-15-3)

The Sabres have not played well in the Bell Centre. Ryan Miller has not won there in four starts. Buffalo disregarded those stats and came in and beat the Canadiens.

Tim Kennedy celebrates his goal that put Buffalo up 3-2.

The game resembled a style similar to the Sabres’ 2006-2007 season. It was an offensive game, even with the league’s best goaltender in the net.

Montreal got on the board first with Andrei Kostitsyn’s seventh of the season.

That’s was it for the first period. Both teams had nine shots, but Montreal had the 1-0 lead.

As soon as the puck was dropped in the second period, Adam Mair and Ryan O’Byrne dropped the gloves.
Midway through the second, Buffalo got on the board with Andrej Sekera’s second goal of the season. Montreal would not see a lead for the rest of the game.

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Buffalo (16-9-2) vs. Washington (19-5-6)

Ryan Miller makes a save on Washington's Brooks Laich

It looked like a no-brainer. The Caps were easily the favored team against the Sabres. With Buffalo scoring one goal in their past two games, Washington looked like the best bet in this one.

The Capitals came into the game first in points, goals, and power play percentage.
Wednesday night, Ryan Miller and the Buffalo Sabres showed up to play.

Steve Montador led the scoring with his second of the season, giving Buffalo the early lead.

Just called up from Portland, Nathan Gerbe collected a goal and an assist on the night. Gerbe was extremly upset that he did not make the team at the start of the season. In his first game this season, he showed Lindy Ruff why he should be on the team.

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Mike Grier tips the puck past Jaroslav Halak, putting Buffalo up 6-2

Buffalo (15-7-2) vs. Montreal (12-13-2)

It didn’t take long before Buffalo took a commanding lead in this one. The Sabres jumped all over backup goaltender Jaroslav Halak, especially in the first period.

The Canadiens decided not to go with Carey Price, a decision that would cost them the game.
Halak gave up way too many rebounds, making it look easy for the Sabres to score. Price did need a night off, and the Sabres took advantage of it. Plus, Halak hadn’t played in over three weeks.

Six different players tallied a goal for Buffalo. Thomas Vanek had three assists on the night.

Buffalo combined for three goals in the first nine minutes of the game, taking complete control. Clarke MacArthur, Jason Pominville, and Derek Roy each scored in the first period.
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