SABRES STRIKE TWICE IN THRITEEN DAYS

For the second time in thirteen days, the Leafs and Buffalo Sabres squared off. Again, for the second time in thirteen days, the Leafs were outplayed by a better Buffalo team. This time around the Leafs actually scored a goal, instead of being shut out again, which looked like a possibility the way Ryan Miller was playing.

The score, and outcome of the game would’ve been totally different, even in the Leafs’ favor, had they solved Ryan Miller. The Leafs squad jumped out to an early attack, with great promise and energy, but just couldn’t put one past Ryan Miller, in the first ten minutes of the game, that were played to perfection by the Leafs.

With another solid outing by Miller, the rest of the Sabre team chipped in nicely offensively en route to a 4-1 victory in front of a very quiet, and zero energy crowd at the Air Canada Centre.

In the past couple of games the Sabres have really owned the Leafs, especially in the calendar year of 2009 where these two teams have faced off twice. Including tonight’s game, two of the three games have been played in Toronto, and the Sabres have won all three of those games with a combined score of 13-2. Adding to that, the Leafs have now lost their past five home games to the Sabres.

Coming into tonight’s game, Justin Pogge was given his first career start at home, and was appearing in just his fourth NHL game, and two of those have already come against the Sabres. In the two starts versus the Sabres including tonight’s start, nothing has changed. The team in front of Pogge played flat, with no scoring help, and no defense.

Tonight, Pogge wasn’t perfect, nor was he hung out to dry, totally, like in his past stars. The first goal the Sabres scored was on the power play, and was off a quick short side snap shot by Drew Stafford. On that goal, Pogge was too deep in net, and could’ve played more aggressively with his big body, but instead played small.

During the game, Pogge was razzed by the crowd for allowing three goals, which was unfair, if the team in front of him had played better. Pogge showed some holes in his game, but that was a real sad display by the Leafs fans in attendance, that kind of bullshit was uncalled for.

That goal really hurt the Leafs, who had gotten off to a good start, and after that played with no aggression. Whatever the Leafs had done to get off to a good start, Buffalo started to play that way. With that play came two more goals, to head into the second period up 3-0, even after being outshot 15-8.

The second Buffalo goal came off a questionable non call, as the puck was iced but the play still went on. The Sabres’ Tim Connolly sped down the wing and made an excellent pass to Dan Paille to score.

The third Buffalo goal was a weak one let in by Pogge, as it was jammed in at the side of the net. But the goal did come off of some solid work along the boards.

The Leafs did a lot in the first period, but were stunned to be down three zip. They even held the Sabres to record their first shot on goal at 6.45 into the game. The Leafs crashed the net, took smart shots, even hit a few posts, but Miller was too good and was the difference.

After a fifteen shot first period, the Leafs only managed 13 shots combined in the next two periods, and were outshot 30-28 for the game.

The Leafs did snap a shutout streak against the Sabres which dates back to their last meeting in Buffalo, and spanned over four and a half periods with a goal on the power play.

Pavel Kubina scored the goal which was created off of some good passing, that sucked in the Buffalo defenders to one side of the ice, and that allowed Kubina to pinch, and scored an easy tap in goal. That was Kubina’s first goal in twenty games, and Jason Blake continued his hot streak with an assist.

That was it for the Leafs, even though they showed some energy after that goal, but that was taken away just as they were coming on, and got called for a penalty.

One bright spot in the period was the play of Pogge, as he stopped all thirteen shots he faced, and looked real comfortable, and played to his strengths.

The third period was more defensive than anything for the Sabres, and pretty much stayed back. Toronto did get some chances to maneuver their offence, but again, Miller put up a wall. The Leafs had two real good scoring chances, as Alex Ponikarovsky had a partial break, but was stopped by a sprawling Miller with his left leg. And the second chance came when Miller was down on his stomach, and still managed to stop a Nik Antropov shot through a crowd with his forearm.

To seal the game, Buffalo’s Drew Stafford scored his second power play goal of the game, and has scored eight goals in his last twelve games. Pogge couldn’t control the puck on the initial shot, juggled the puck and let out a bad rebound. After that goal, the Leafs team was done, and looked deflated.


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