2010 Compuware NHL Premier Series weekend roundup- Chicago Blackhawks defeat the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 on home soil
The 63rd and final game of Saturday saw the Chicago Blackhawks play host to the Buffalo Sabres at the United Centre. The game saw around 21,000 come in support of their cherished teams respectively. The defending champions started off in an explosive
manner though they were trailing at the end of the 1st period but they managed to win the match eventually 4-3.
1st Period
The home team, Chicago Blackhawks was the stronger of the two teams in offence but the shots they hit were often off target. The defending champions, Chicago Blackhawks were able to come up with attacks frequently during the early part of the period.
With the splendid play and attacking, the defending champions scored in the 7th minute to take the lead. The goal was scored by Patrick Sharp from 18 feet through an excellent snap off shot.
Taking the lead, the Blackhawks decided to sit back and not attack. This went against them as the away team grew in confidence and started to break the defence every now and then. The Buffalo Sabres constant hard work was rewarded in the 7th minute
when they levelled the score through a goal scored by Drew Stafford. The Buffalo Sabres confidence and determination led to them scoring once again in the 8th minute and taking the lead. The goal this time was scored by Paul Gaustad who hit a splendid
shot from 10 feet by hitting a snap off shot.
The period with the Buffalo Sabres in the lead with the score 2-1 as the away team scored twice out of their 19 shots and the home team scored once out of their 9 goal attempts.
2nd Period
The 2nd period was less productive in terms of goals scored. The reason for this was the strong defence that both teams came up with.
The defending champions were able to put up some good plays that resulted in them scoring in the 2nd minute to level the score. The goal came from a superb 11 feet wrist off shot by Marian Hossa.
Again, the Chicago Blackhawks backed down failing to take advantage of the momentum that was in their favour. Taking advantage of this, the Buffalo Sabres grew in confidence as the period progresses. Their hard work and focus enabled them to score in the
18th minute to regain the lead. The goal was scored by Cody Mccormick.
The period came to end with the score 3-2 in favour of the Buffalo Sabres. Both teams scored once during the period with 10 goal attempts each.
3rd Period
The 3rd period saw the defending champions show their class as they scored twice during the course of the period to win the match.
The 1st goal came in the 10 minute of the period and was scored by Dave Bolland that levelled the scores. This time the defending champions capitalized from the confidence in their favour after scoring the goal that was score by Patrick Sharp
in the 13th minute.
At the end of the period, the score was 4-3 in favour of the home team Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks made 5 productive goal attempts compared to the 12 unsuccessful goal attempts of the Buffalo Sabres.
At the end of the match, Patrick Sharp was named the star selection of the match and Marian Hossa was the 2nd star selection of the match.
"That was not a pretty game," said Turco goal keeper of the Chicago Blackhawks, who stopped 38 shots.
"We strive for them, but that was far from it. We weren't our best in the first (period), but as the game went on, we just kept getting better and better. It (stinks) when you lose ugly games, but it sure feels pretty good when you win one."
"I think they took a few runs at (Hjalmarsson), but they were honest and clean and fair about it,"
Sharp said. "That's the way we like to see it. It was two teams that played hard out there, lots of respect on either side. Nobody likes to see people get hurt the way it happened in Buffalo, but I think it was classy on their part to play hard and
try to hit him. There was no dirty stuff at all."
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