Sabres Hold On Against The Blues
Nov 13, 2008 NHL
Buffalo chased Manny Legace with 3 goals in the first five and a half minutes, but had to hold on as the St. Louis Blues rallied but fell short, 4-3. The game started with a bang as Andrew Peters and David Koci dropped the gloves 2 minutes in. It was a marathon effort with both combatants landing hard shots. Hockeyfights.com gave the edge to Koci but the crowd was energized. Twenty seconds later, Adam Mair got one past Legace for the first goal of the night. Tim Connolly and Jason Pominville followed up with goals shortly thereafter, both appearing to be stopped but eventually drifting over the goal line or sneaking out from under Manny’s pads. Wasn’t all his fault, as the defense (including Jay McKee) did a great impression of traffic cones for the first 10 minutes. David Perron scored on Miller later in the period to make it 3-1.
By the second period, it was obvious that both teams were going to play a sloppy game. It seemed like every other pass was missing it’s mark, though some of it was the intense physical play that was moving players away from where they wanted to be. There was a LOT of clutching, grabbing and interference that was not being called, as well. Patrik Berglund scored his fifth goal to bring St. Louis back to within one.
All was made right in Heather B.’s world just a few minutes in to the third period, as Henrik Tallinder ripped a shot in past Chris Mason (the only goal Mason allowed in relief of Legace) which ended up being the eventual game-winner. Hank’s celebration was very animated, I’ll have video up later today. ;) West Seneca native Lee Stempniak had the final goal for the Blues.
Positives from the game: Though the Blues’ intent to pound the Sabres into submission was clear, it didn’t work. Having a three goal lead helped, but Lindy may have been right in starting Peters tonight. Tallinder’s goal is a rarity for him but happened at just the right time.
One troubling note, Tim Connolly (who played very well) left the game after a wicked hit that had him laid out. He had one more powerplay shift after it, but didn’t come out for any more shifts. Max had been nailed to the bench up until that point, possibly due to staying late on his shifts (most over 1:10). Next up is Columbus.
Tags: blues, buffalo, Chris Mason, connolly, David Koci, David Perron, Hockey, mair, Manny Legace, Maxim Afinogenov, mckee, NHL, Patrik Berglund, peters, pominville, Ryan Miller, sabres, st. louis, stempniak, tallinder
World Championships - May 2-18
Apr 11, 2008 WC
The World Championships are May 2-18th, and Team USA has announced the first 17 players on the roster. Western New York is well represented (though in part because the Sabres did not make the playoffs), as Patrick Kane (S. Buffalo) and Lee Stempniak (West Seneca) made the team. Buffalo Sabres Paul Gaustad, Jason Pominville and Drew Stafford are all playing as well.
Tags: B-Lo Sports, Drew Stafford, gaustad, Hockey, kane, pominville, sabres, stempniak, world championships
Gameday - Sabres/Blues
Nov 28, 2007 NHL
The St. Louis Blues are in town tonight in a rare WNY appearance. The Sabres have struggled against them ‘recently’ but should have a better showing. Stafford is back in as Peters is out sick (maybe that’s why Brashear didn’t want to fight!). Jay McKee makes his first appearance back at HSBC Arena after signing a free agent deal with the Blues. West Seneca native Lee Stempniak is also making his first pro appearance in Western New York. Should be fun, let’s go six in a row!
Tags: B-Lo Sports, blues, Donald Brashear, Drew Stafford, Hockey, mckee, NHL, peters, sabres, st. louis, stempniak
