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Sabres vs. Bruins Recap: Stafford, Myers, Miller Shine in 4-2 Win, Sekera Injured

Goals

1st Period
– Stafford (1) from Ennis, Foligno
– Hamilton (1) from Krejci and Seguin

2nd Period
– Peverly (2) from Hamilton and Seidenberg

3rd Period
– Myers (2) from Hecht and Gerbe
– Ehrhoff (2) from Stafford and Ennis
– Hodgson (6) from Myers and Ehrhoff

Good Stuff

Drew Stafford finally scored a goal. And there was much rejoicing.

– The Sabres really took it to the Bruins for most of the first period, especially the Stafford-Ennis-Foligno line. Staff’s goal really seemed to ignite a fire under these guys, and they had a few very long shifts in the Boston zone. The top and bottom lines also had a nice period where offensive zone presence is concerned, but the 21-63-82 line also had a hand in Ehrhoff’s third period goal, and according to Lindy Ruff, “They were our best line”. Take a second and channel all the good vibes you have from the end of last season to this line.

– It was nice to see the Sabres much-maligned defense have a bounce back game. The god-awful turnovers were few and far between, while Tyler Myers and Christian Ehrhoff rewarded their coach for giving them large amounts of ice time with timely goals in the third period. “Tyler’s energy was as good as I’ve seen,” said Ruff. It was certainly true, but might this hint at the rumor that Myers showed up to camp out of shape? Regardless, this was his best game of the season. Shades of rookie Myers.

– The Sabres benefited from a few lucky bounces in front of their own net and a couple posts that went their way. Bruins fans will whine, but sometimes it’s better to be lucky than to be good.

Bad Stuff

Andrej Sekera left in the third period with what Lindy Ruff called “A really bad Charlie Horse.” Sekera will likely be out a game or two, and will open the door for either Weber or Brennan to play.

Thomas Vanek made one of the worst passes I’ve ever seen when he put it no-look through his legs and right onto the stick of a Boston player in Miller’s crease. Luckily it didn’t hurt the Sabres, but wow.

– Poor coverage on a Boston power play led to Miller flopping around like a geriatric Dominic Hasek for about 15 seconds before Dougie Hamilton finally put it through the wall of bodies in the crease for Boston’s first goal.

– On the Bruins second goal, the puck took such a big hop off the boards, it went directly over Ryan Miller’s head and landed right on Rich Peverly’s stick about five feet in front of the net. That better be all the bounces the Bruins get the rest of this series combined.

– Buffalo was outplayed badly in period two, getting outshot 16-7, but were lucky to escape the period down just one goal. This is a trend that must change, and must change soon.

Quotes From The Locker Room

Drew Stafford
“I just want to thank [TBN Writer] Mike Harrington for letting me borrow his coat”. Stafford was wearing a fantastically gaudy Sabres-branded fur coat as player of the game.

“We needed a big win, we needed a big statement game, and tonight was the night. It just happened to be against a team like that, makes it that much sweeter.”

Tyler Myers
“I’m tired of hearing about potential. It’s time we realize what we’re capable of and it’s time we start playing like it.”

Lindy Ruff
“The guys in the room were angry”, when asked about the emotion after the second period. The fans were too, Lindy.

Audio

Drew Stafford, 2-15-13

Christian Ehrhoff, 2-15-13

Ryan Miller, 2-15-13

Talking Points