Sabres Pound New-Look Senators
Feb 12, 2008 NHL
The Senators had two new faces in the lineup, but the result was a painful 5-1 smackdown by the visiting Sabres. Thomas Vanek was all over the place, getting his first career Hat Trick on some very different goals. The first was a booming slapshot on a play that started with a steal from Connolly, the second came on a rebound Vanek spun and swept into the net, and his final goal was a redirect from his usual vantage point in front of the net.
It was Clarke MacArthur that really stuck the knife in and twisted, though, as he scored just seconds after the Senators’ Randy Robitaille had cut the deficit to one. Looked like Pominville had the final goal to round out the scoring.
This was total domination by the Sabres from the first puck-drop. They pounded shot after shot at Ray Emery, leading that category 27-11 after 2 periods. Their sticks were always tipping the Senators’ passes. The PK was strong (killing 5 of 6) and the PP was stronger (2 for 5, but the final goal came just as a penalty was ending). The only thing missing would be to see Chris Neil get beat down in a fight, and I really thought Pratt was going to step into the ring at one point for that. The Sabres come home tomorrow to face the Leafs, I sure hope some of this fire follows them.
Tags: B-Lo Sports, B-Lo Sports, connolly, emery, hat trick, hattrick, Hockey, macarthur, neil, NHL, ottawa, pominville, pratt, Ryan Miller, sabres, senators, Thomas Vanek
Sabres Jump On Sens Early, Win 4-2
Nov 23, 2007 NHL
Now that’s how things should be! The Sabres took advantage of a positionally weak Ray Emery for three goals in the first period, and held on for the 4-2 win. Ryan Miller saved 27 of 29 for yet another strong game, and the teams traded post shots on wide open nets (Tim Connolly and Jason Spezza). Vanek had 2 assists (including a very sweet one behind Emery) and is playing great lately. Kotalik got a PP marker by gunning one past Emery from the top of the faceoff circles. Michael Ryan and Derek Roy also scored. Another positive the past few games has been faceoffs, where the Sabres went 26-19 against the Sens.
I’m going to wait until after tonight’s game against the Habs to be sure, but I think the Sabres are getting it together for a recovery.
Tags: B-Lo Sports, connolly, emery, Hockey, kotalik, michael ryan, NHL, ottawa, roy, Ryan Miller, sabres, senators, spezza, Thomas Vanek
Gameday - Sabres/Senators, again
Nov 21, 2007 NHL
The Buffalo Sabres will look to build on the Montreal win with a home game against the Ottawa Senators tonight at HSBC Arena, 7:30 start time. Tim Connolly will play tonight, coming back from his oblique injury. Clarke MacArthur was not sent back to Rochester so that means someone has to be a healthy scratch. Odds are it’s Peters unless McGrattan dresses, 50/50 shot. Ray Emery, who lost his starting job to Gerber, gets the nod against Ryan Miller.
I am looking to Ryan Miller to take the lead tonight, he’s got a 1.83 GAA over his past 6 starts but his team hasn’t been scoring to help him out. They don’t need a shut out…but it sure would help. ;) Let’s go BUFFALO!
Tags: B-Lo Sports, Canadiens, connolly, emery, Hockey, macarthur, mcgrattan, Montreal, NHL, ottawa, peters, Ryan Miller, sabres, senators
