FINAL BUF 5-3 CBJ
GOALS
1st Period:
CBJ: Denis Savard Assists: Hartnell, Gagner
CBJ: Nick Foligno Assists: Werenski, Saad
CBJ: Oliver Bjorkstrand Assist: Gagner
2nd Period:
BUF: Jake McCabe Assists: Deslauriers, Kane
BUF: Matt Moulson (PP) Assists: Gionta, Bogosian
BUF: Samson Reinhart Assist: Ristolainen
3rd Period:
BUF: Kane (PP) Assists: Eichel, Ristolainen
BUF: Eichel (EN) Assist: O’Reilly
POWERPLAYS
BUF 2/5
CBJ: 0/3
HITS
CBJ 11
BUF 22
SHOTS:
CBJ 36
BUF 31
BLOCKED SHOTS
CBJ 12
BUF 14
Lines
Kane-O’Reilly-Gionta
Moulson-Eichel-Reinhart
Foligno-Girgensons-Bailey
Deslauriers-Rodrigues-Ennis
The Sabres would get the first opportunity of the game on an Evander Kane chance in front of the CBJ net. Moments later Cody Franson would be hooked, sending the Sabres to the power play. The Sabres would mosie in their own end for the 1st minute of the man advantage. Once the Sabres did finally get the puck into the Columbus moved the puck well. The Jackets would easily kill the penalty as Sabres fans booed. Evander Kane would get multiple opportunities in front but none would go. Saad would get a breakaway moments later that was played beautifully by Zach Bogosian.
Denis Savard scored on a shot that Lee Harvey Oswald would be jealous of. From the top of the left circle he put the puck right under the bar, 7 minutes into the game. If there is a more disinterested team in the league right now than the Sabres I’d love to see them.
The 1st period was not all bad. The Sabres controlled much of the play, as they have all season. Evander was flying and always on the net. Buffalo’s top two lines shined once more (sans Matt Moulson). Nick Foligno would later dazzle with a beautiful goal to go up 2-0, nearly shattering Jake McCabe’s ankles in the process. Bylsma would call a timeout to rally the troops. Columbus would score again with 2 minutes remaining in the 1st period as Oliver Bjorkstrand potted an easy cross crease goal that fooled Nilsson. Buffalo went to the locker room at the horn to a chorus of boos.
Robin Lehner took the net to start the period. It wouldn’t take long for the Sabres to get on the board in the 2nd as Jake McCabe scored 18 seconds in. Shortly after, Buffalo’ Gionta would be penalized for holding.
The Sabres would head to the power play after successfully killing a man advantage. Jack Johnson would go for holding. Matt Moulson would get a rebound opportunity and cash in for yet another power play goal to limit the deficit to 1, 3-2.
Nick Foligno would get a breakaway opportunity shortly after that was stoned by a sprawling Lehner. Tyler Ennis would smashed from behind drawing a reaction from Foligno and Gorges. Marcus and Dubinsky would be given penalties. Cam Atkinson was hurt in the scrum as the Jackets went to the power play. Lehner would fall over on a net front scramble that led to Gorges shoving Nick Foligno. The bad blood has spilled over from last year’s matchups between these two teams. Foligno and Gorges would be assigned penalties. Buffalo would successfully kill their penalty to get back to even strength.
This was a much better period for the Sabres. It was good to see the team come together again and stand up for one another. With 2.9 seconds left Samson Reinhart would absolutely have his way with the Columbus defense, sniping a shot by the elbow of Korpisalo to tie the game. Sammy looked injured as he favored his wrist following the goal. Scott Hartnell and Zach Bogosian fought after the horn and the teams got into it. We got a rivalry, baby! This was an outstanding period by the Buffalo Sabres.
Buffalo started the 3rd on the power play. Columbus would be successful on the PK once more. Cody Franson would take a slap shot to the side of the face which drew some blood. Franson would head to the room with 14:21 to go. Buffalo would go back to the power play after ROR was interfered with. Late in the power play Marcus and Nick Foligno would get into a shoving match after a whistle. There’s no brotherly love in this game.
Buffalo would maul Columbus in their own end but a valiant effort by the Columbus defense would prevent a Sabres tie breaker. Josh Gorges would be penalized moments later. Robin Lehner would once more make a wonderful gliding stop to deny CBJ the go-ahead power play goal. Nick Deslauriers would have a scoring chance on a 2 on 1 but couldn’t bury it, keeping the game tied at 3. ROR would once more draw a penalty, this time a hook. With 4:19 remaining the Sabres take to the man advantage. Jack Eichel would find Evander Kane with an absolutely gorgeous pass, leading to Kane potting the go ahead goal. In the name of Bob Cole, woah baby this was an incredible play.
Cam Atkinson would get an opportunity to tie the game but Robin Lehner would make a save straight out of NHL 17 cueing an amazing RJ call. Trust me, he’s the guy. You heard it hear first, Lehner is The Robinator.
Jack would cap the game off with an empty net goal from his own blue line, completing ANOTHER 3-point game. Sabres win 5-3.
What an effort by the Sabres. They finally found a way to battle back while down. This team will again be scary good, and it will be sooner than you think. Rome was not built in a day folks. Let’s all hang in there.
