Atlanta Thrashers 3 - Buffalo Sabres 2 (SO)
(aka "Salting the Slugs")
Box Score
Highlights
What is it about Buffalo fans. I can't figure out if a ton of them follow the team to Atlanta or there is just a very large local following. Either way they are some of the most obnoxious fans in the NHL. Only the original six bring more enemy fans into Philips Arena. The Sabre fans get started early. On this occasion they filled the arena concourse, walking in large packs, beating drums and shouting "Let's Go Sabres". Atlanta fans, myself included, got an early start on our corresponding "Go Home Buffalo" chants. There is weird hatred between these two groups.
The Buffalo fans didn't have much to cheer about early as the Thrashers had their best performance of the season during the first period. They out shot the Sabres 19-6 and controlled play throughout. The Thrashers got on the scoreboard first when White delivered a nice outlet pass to Kovy who settled the puck and broke away. A nice chip shot top shelf and the score was 1-0 "Go Home Buffalo".
The Thrashers should have had a few more goals in the first. Numerous power plays resulted in nothing and Lalime came up big in net. I was greatly relieved when they got a second goal on more nice work by White that resulted in a pretty Bryan Little goal. 2-0 "Go Home Buffalo" as the period came to a close.
I knew the Thrashers couldn't keep up the pace in the 2nd and I knew Buffalo would come out stronger after undoubtedly being chewed out by coach Lindy Ruff. However, the Thrashers continued to play strong hockey and did what was necessary to keep the Sabres off the board. Only when the Thrashers were down two men late in the period did the Sabres finally put one past Lehtonen to make it 2-1.
The third period played much like the second. Thrashers did what they had to do to keep Buffalo in check but couldn't mount much pressure. Another power play opportunity was squandered but the penalty killing was strong. A nearly mistake free game was ruined late though as Boulton mishandled a puck near the blueline. Instead of simply chipping the puck out of the zone, he broke inside only to have the puck stolen and quickly put on net. Kari didn't handle the rebound well and Pominville easily tapped the puck into the net for the tying goal with less than 4 minutes left.
The rest of the game and OT played out much like the second and third periods. Both teams had opportunities but neither could finish. As much as I hate the shootout it was probably a good thing for the Thrashers as I got the feeling the longer it went the more likely the Slugs would have come out on top.
The first successful shootout attempt was made by Kovalchuk but was answered by Stafford. Kozlov, shooting in an unfamiliar 3rd position did his usual anyway, converting on the shootout and getting the game winning goal as Vanek's shot went wide of the net. "Go Home Buffalo".
Overall I think this was one of the Thrashers' best games ever. There wasn't a lot of scoring but there were plenty of opportunities. Their defense was extremely sound with Hainsey having a great performance, Bogosian sound and Schneider his best outing yet. Lehtonen continued his strong start and Little is looking like he could be the offensive threat the Thrashers desperately need. They went toe to toe against one of the better teams in the league, who got very good goaltending from their backup and still came out on top.
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