Sabres Earn Important Two

If you follow the Sabres on a regular basis you have seen some strange games this year but this one has to be at the top of the list.  This game had a penalty shot goal, an own-goal, a Birthday gift power play goal and a late giveaway.  The bottom line is that the Sabres came away with the extra point.

You never want to give a team a point, especially a team that is chasing you in the standings but anytime you get two points on the road it's important.  The Panthers still have not lost a regulation game in 2009 but they still fell another point behind the Sabres.

Florida went ahead first on a penalty shot goal by David Booth.  Even more strange than the penalty shot goal was that another penalty was called and the Sabres ended up being down 1-0 and shorthanded besides.  That me the first time in league history that has happened but the Sabres killed off the two minute power play.

It took the Sabres 38:03 to score their first goal and even then they didn't score it.  Gregory Campbell was trying to clear the puck but fired it off his defenseman in front of the net and it deflected into the net. After further review...it was a pretty good play by Connolly to slap the stick of Campbell, forcing the puck in front.

The first four and half minutes of the third period was four minutes that Jay Bouwmeester would like to forget.  He took a holding penalty in the first two minutes that his team killed off.  Just 26 seconds after he came back on the ice, he took a dumb penalty by hitting Clarke MacArthur from behind when he didn't have the puck.  MacArthur gave J-Bo a clean check along the boards and seconds later he retaliated.  Thomas Vanek scored his 27th of the season on his Birthday while J-Bo was in the box to give Buffalo a 2-1 lead.

It has been commonplace for the Sabres to giveaway the lead late in the game and tonight was no different.  They continued to give the puck away in the overtime but Ryan Miller was solid once again.  Miller made two or three really good saves without his stick with just over one minute left in overtime and than he was solid in the shootout giving the Sabres the victory.

Other Notes

• The penalty shot goal by David Booth was the first penalty shot goal ever allowed by Ryan Miller in nine attempts.
• Ales Kotalik was credited with the shootout winner giving him 10 in his career.  His 10 shootout winners are the most in NHL history.  Keep in mind that the shootout is relatively new to the NHL.
• It was the third consecutive game that Jason pominville had at least one assist.
• Cory Stillman and Jay Bouwmeester were both held off the scoresheet tonight.  Stillman had a five game point streak and J-Bo had a six game point streak.

Roll Call

It was a fun night in the Game Thread with some good interaction.  Once again thanks to all those who participated.  A special thanks to dfderie for leading the way with 54 comments.

Roll Call: Joan O., Whale4ever, D.O., BenAllen, qdloser, dfderie, HO
Total Users: 7
Total Posts: 153

Next Up

The Sabres remain in Florida to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night.  It will be the Sabres last game before the All-Star break.