Atlanta Thrashers vs. Buffalo Sabres Part III
The first period was kind of slow, the Thrasher had a few looks and 3 power plays during the first 20 minutes, they weren’t able to convert on the first two power plays, in fact they didn’t really look like power plays at all, Buffalo did a good job at keeping the Thrashers from get set up and even went on the offensive a few times. But the third power play Atlanta was able to get something going, at least long enough for a goal by Slava Kozlov with assists from Zach Bogosian and Toby Enstrom.
In the second period Jim Slater took a big hit from Tim Connolly (high sticking) gave Atlanta their 4th power play of the game but again the Sabres didn’t let the Thrashers convert. Slater had to leave the game after that hit and didn’t return to the game. Daniel Paille tied it up for Buffalo with more than 7 minutes left tying it at one each. Buffalo took the lead when Derek Roy stole the puck and took his shot from the blue line, it went straight over Lehtonens left shoulder making it 2 – 1 for the Sabres, I have to admit it was a sweet shot. This is where things break down it was just a few minutes later that Buffalo extended their lead by 2 with a goal by Maxim Afinogenov.
With five and a half minutes left in the third period, Marty Reasoner came up big, once again, getting a shorthanded goal making bringing the Thrasher within one of the Sabres making it 3 – 2. But the most exciting thing was the tying goal by Todd White with 3.5 seconds left in the third, Hainsey ripped a shot from the blue line, the puck trickled through Lalime’s legs where Todd White tipped it in, nothing could’ve been sweeter.
The overtime period was nothing but exciting but neither team was able to score, so we went to the shootout. It took 4 rounds in the shootout but the Thrashers beat the Sabres 4 – 3, and the guy who made the game winning goal in the shootout? Brett Sterling, who was called up from Chicago to take Kovy’s spot, it wasn’t an easy victory, the Thrashers played hard, as did the Sabres, and Lehtonen came up with some huge saves.
So, to answer my earlier question, can the Thrasher beat the Sabres without Kovalchuk? Yes, yes they can.
My Three Stars:
1. Brett Sterling for winning the game
2. Todd White for tying it up
3. Marty Reasoner for bringing the Thrashers back in the game
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