Author: Buffalo Winter

Jeff Skinner sets milestone in Buffalo

Buffalo 6 – Washington 2  The Buffalo Sabres treated one of their own with a tribute night as they recognized Mr. Skinner and his accomplishment of 1,000 NHL games during last night’s brawny black & red sweater home game.

The game itself was enjoyably exciting as the Sabres staked the Capitals to an early 1-0 lead less than three minutes into the first period before score twice in 68 seconds to take the 2-1 lead with just over three minutes remaining in the period.

In the second period the teams traded goals that kept Washington within one but that was all she wrote for the Capitals as the Sabres scored three times in approximately two and half minutes early in the third period for the 6-2 victory.

Before puck drop Mr. Skinner with his girlfriend, his parents, siblings, along with two of his best friends were present at center ice as the Sabres paid tribute to an outstanding player who was about to participate in his 1,000^th NHL game.

11 Misconducts handed out

Buffalo 0 – Toronto 3  The Sabres poured on 34 shots but the Maple Leafs goaltender earned a shutout to assist Toronto in tying the four-game season series between Buffalo and Toronto at two games apiece.

At the 19:04 mark of the third period six Sabres and five Maple Leafs earned a combined 11 misconduct penalties, including the Maple Leafs 60 goal scorer.

Mr. Dahlin checking (slight boarding, his elbow barely touched the leafs player) Mr. Brodie did not warrant the goon leafs to go insanely belligerent as goon giordano initiated a 1970s donnybrook by going after Mr. Tuch, and others as the rivalry between these two cities has elevated.

There is absolutely no reason for a goon to attack a player when leading 3-0 with less than one minute remaining in the game, some players get upset over checking/boarding and can stick up for their teammates, this was not that.

What goon giordano did is inexcusable, goon mcmann put Mr. Peterka in a headlock which caused Mr. Tuch to step in after dealing with goon giordano, even Toronto’s 60 goal scorer had to goon it up as well by twice attempting to headlock Mr. Thompson.

Then when it seemed to have calmed down goon bertuzzi had to keep it going by assaulting Mr. Peterka, goon matthews was the second man in with goon bertuzzi against Mr. Peterka, totally disgusting display by the Toronto team and their fans.

This game highlights why the Toronto Maple Leafs will do poorly in the upcoming playoffs, even though they have solid goaltending and some of the most talented offensive players in the League, it has to be that they are poorly coached.

Tage Thompson takes control

Buffalo 5 – New Jersey 2  New Jersey took the dreaded two-goal lead halfway through the first period on the strength of a shot deflecting twice before going in and the other a desperate spin around throw it at the net shot that had eyes.

It only takes Buffalo and Mr. Thompson 28 seconds to score to begin the second period and then with two and half minutes left in the period Buffalo and Mr. Thompson with an assist from Mr. Tuch tie the game at two apiece.

The Sabres dominated the third period with spectacular goaltending and constant offensive pressure resulting in two empty net scores.

• Buffalo outshoots New Jersey 17-7 in third period
• Mr. Levi posts a .933 save percentage in stopping 26 out of 28 shots
• Tage Thompson earns second four goal game for the Sabres
• Buffalo perfect on three penalty kills
• Sabres now have winning home record
• Three games remaining in five game home stand

Here along the Lake tonight the Maple Leafs and their horde of fans invade KeyBank Center endeavoring to improve their 1-2-0 season series record versus Buffalo.

Sabres split series with Senators

Buffalo 2 –  Ottawa 6  One horrendous period and Buffalo drops the first of a five game home stand against a unanticipated Senators team that scored too many times on too little shots.

There were three goals scored on just four shots in the first four minutes with the fourth goal being too much at the 11:11 mark of the first, and Mr. Luukkonen was given a rest.

Mr. Levi came in relief stopping 10 out of 11 shots to finish the first period and shutout the Senators in the second and third periods earning a .969 save percentage stopping 31 of 32 Ottawa shots.

After HC Granato had a locker room discussion the boys came out and scored in the first three minutes of the second period after a huge rebound flew out from a booming Mr. Tuch shot to almost the top of the faceoff circle where JJ Peterka scored.

Far Out Rebound

Ottawa right wing Mr. Joseph 0G, 0A, 3SOG, -1, in 12 minutes of play, was able to cross check JJ Peterka in the back after his shot went in and that got the Sabres on the board during a 0-5 game, distasteful play that should warrant a penalty.

Sabres defenseman Mr. Clifton scored a beauty for Buffalo’s second goal as he skated with the puck into Ottawa’s zone he showered snow as he stopped abruptly as all the other players skated hard towards the net.

Buffalo’s defenseman then proceeded towards the middle of the ice and using Mr. Tuch as a screen Mr. Clifton then released a shot right down Main Street and into the net for the Sabres second goal.

Buffalo’s next two home games are back to back games with New Jersey on Friday then Saturday night versus Toronto.

Sabres extinguish Flames

Buffalo 4 – Calgary 1  The Sabres were involved in a tight low-scoring 1-1 game in Calgary last night and with just under nine minutes remaining in the third period JJ Peterka broke the deadlock for Buffalo’s second lead of the game.

• Mr. Dahlin received stitches in ear area after blocking a shot.
• UPL earned his second career assist on Mr. Clifton’s goal.
• Mr. Krebs took the Sabres first shot that scored the first goal of the game.

After Mr. Thompson scored the first empty netter of the game for the 3-1 Buffalo lead with 45 seconds remaining in the third period which was the proverbial nail in the coffin Calgary kept playing without a netminder sabotaging their own goal differential in the eventual 4-1 loss.