Red Wings 3 Sabres 2: Sabres Rally But Fall in Overtime

by David Oleksy on Mar 14, 2010 10:37 AM EDT in Game Recaps

I'm writing this a full 12 hours after the game ended so I'll spare you the details of the game. This was a much more entertaining game than the loss to Minnesota on Friday night. The Red Wings were obviously a better team than the Wild and that led to a wide open game with chances at both ends of the rink.

It felt like this game could go either way and I had a good feeling about the Sabres were playing until Tyler Myers was sent to the box for clearing the puck over the glass. The Sabres matched the intensity of the Red Wings and they were able to generate some offensive chances.

I worried about the offense after the Sabres sent Mark Mancari back to Portland. I still don't understand the move and I wonder if another offensive minded player could have been the difference in the game. The Sabres created some chances but Jimmy Howard was just good enough and the Wings defense was physical in front of the net.

Jochen Hecht scored the Sabres two goals but Derek Roy was the best Sabre on the ice on Saturday. He created a number of offensive scoring chances and at times he did it by himself. I can't help but think that if there was another offensive minded player on that line instead of Kaleta, the game may have had a different outcome.

The Sabres did earn a point which allows them to create a little more space between themselves and the Senators.

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Final Thoughts

This was a much better hockey game than the game against Minnesota. The Red Wings play a much more wide open style than the Wild and it was evident in the number of offensive chances for both teams.
Does anyone else think the score would have been 7-6 if they didn't allow so much clutching and grabbing. There could have easily been 20 minors called on both teams but the refs allowed a lot hooking and holding infractions.
The line of Connolly-Pominville-Hecht looked good again. It has been awhile since they were noticeable on the ice but they played very well on Saturday.
Anyone else hate the rule about clearing the puck over the glass?
I think Ryan Miller would love to have those first two goals back. The Sabres would have won the game in regulation if not for two soft goals by the Wings.

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Comments

•Anyone else hate the rule about clearing the puck over the glass?

Yes.

I was thinking that Mancari was no. 17. Oopsie. That’s Torres.

Hi! I'm hungry! How are you?

by sabresfan96 on Mar 14, 2010 11:20 AM EDT reply actions

I understand why the puck clearing the glass rule is in place.

However, it doesn’t make me hate it any less or think about how “intent” should be part of the rule.

"Grind now, shine later." - Wesley Johnson

by Afino on Mar 14, 2010 11:21 AM EDT reply actions

Problem is that the refs “don’t want to decide the game” so in key moments they would never call that penalty.

by bluecollarbuffalo on Mar 15, 2010 5:25 AM EDT up reply actions

The intent rule was in place when Kasapaitis threw the puck over the glass in 2002 when it was clear he was guilty of DoG. We could go back there and watch the refs never call the damn thing. Leave the penalty in place, it’s why we have a great PK.

Note btw, how much better the defensemen are at clearing the zone without throwing the puck over the glass than they used to be, when it would happen every friggin game. That’s an effect of the penalty. The incidence of this has dropped b/c the refs were letting guys get away with playing lazy. I love the penalty.

Ta,

by Tom Luongo on Mar 15, 2010 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes, I really do hate the rule about clearing the puck over the glass.

It should be treated like icing rather than like hitting a guy across the face with your stick…

Blue and Gold (of Buffalo)

by Ebscer on Mar 14, 2010 11:24 AM EDT reply actions

With the changes to the icing rules (no TV timeouts, no changes) this might work now. But, when that rule was implemented there was nothing to discourage the behaviour within the game that mattered. I still maintain that it’s a call made rarely now b/c the defensemen and goalies are scared of giving up a PP. They play differently and the ripple effects have been good for the game, ie. increased forecheck, less goalie wandering, more sustained pressure, more flow from dumping the puck out of the zone, etc.

Ta,

by Tom Luongo on Mar 15, 2010 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Last year they would not have rallied. They would have been up by two goals, then squandered the lead in the last 3 minutes of the game.

Hi! I'm hungry! How are you?

by sabresfan96 on Mar 14, 2010 11:24 AM EDT reply actions

Mancari

Mancari was only brought up as an injury call up. There for when Gaustad was brought back from his injury, Mancari had to go back. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Sabres don’t try to bring Mancari back up and send Kennedy down. I don’t know if Kennedy can be sent down without having to clear waivers cause of the amount of games he has played this year.

by Guido1983 on Mar 14, 2010 12:51 PM EDT reply actions