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Sabres beat Phoenix 2-1
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Buffalo Sabres vs. Phoenix. Life.
With only a combined three goals in two games, the Buffalo Sabres managed to come away with three points (1-0-1) with an overtime loss to Montreal in their home opener and a 2-1 victory against an undefeated Phoenix Coyotes team last night.
The Sabres looked strong and hungry last night in HSBC arena, but failed to find the back of the net until the third period. But it wasn't due to a lack of scoring chances or powerplay opportunities. The Buffalo Sabres right now don't have the scoring prowess to bury a team. The team could have easily been ahead 4-0 by the third period, but instead entered the 3rd scorless.
Is it nerves? Is it just too early in the season? Do we need scoring help?
...lets not panic. We have our opportunities, we just have to bear down and focus when we get them.
The game started off with a rumble when Pat Kaleta came flying in, and laid a MONSTER hit on Petr Prucha who fell asleep in his own zone. I'm talking hit of the year already. Campbell on Umberger'esque
Kaleta got the crowd into the game and also sent the Coyotes into a dizzy forcing them to take a double minor; not once but twice in the game.
Ryan Miller again was stellar in between the pipes for the blue and gold, making some ridiculous saves on tough re-direction shots and countless scoring opportunities. If the Sabres are going to make any sort of a push for the playoffs, they'll have to be carried by Miller.
Another great showing last night for 19 year old, Tyler Myers who proved once again that he's ready for the NHL. At times he looked a bit anxious, but overall I'd put him as our best defensemen of the night. Lindy has the confidence to start him on the powerplay and it proved valid as Myers leaped up to snag a puck from exiting the offensive zone; he then calmy passed it on to Clarke MacCarthur who snuck in and lifted a backhand passed a sprawling LaBarbera. After that play, Myers took a nasty hit from Coyotes' forward, Shane Doan, but did return to the game. The kid has impressed me thus far and with his skill set and size, he could be a great no. 1 defensemen in this league.
The main thing I took from last night was how resilient the Sabres were. Last year they would dominate games after two periods but would find themselves down a goal. Their lack of finishing on scoring opportunites forced the club to over-extend themselves and would result in more opportunities for the other team. Last night they stuck to the gameplan and their effort and resiliency was rewarded with a win.
Lets see if they can do it again, when they face the Nashville Predators on Saturday at 8:00
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