2010 Compuware NHL Premiere Series – Buffalo Sabres defeat the Atlanta Thrashers 4-1
The Buffalo Sabres played the Atlanta Thrashers this past Wednesday at the Philips Arena, home of the Atlanta Thrashers. The game saw an attendance of around 9,000 people who came in support of their respective teams. The game was the 78th game
of the NHL preseason with the Buffalo Sabres playing in their 7th game of the season and the Atlanta Thrashers playing in the 6th game of the season thus far. The away team dominated the game as they were more productive on goals and
won the match 4-1.
1st period
The period started in a very spectacular manner as the home team was able to come with a good performance at the start of the period. The home team, with the confidence and support of the home fans came up with potential goal scoring opportunities but couldn’t
score.
On the other hand, it took some time for the away team to settle down after which they started to attack the Atlanta Thrashers. Coming up with regular goal attempts and brilliant pieces of play, they dictated the proceedings. Not only this, but the Sabres
also maintained a very tight defence after the first few scares by the home team. Except for the early attacks, the away team came up with a defence that restricted the opposition to nothing at the end of the period.
The Buffalo Sabres worked hard both at the front and at the back which resulted in them scoring in the 6th minute through a Tyler Ennis shot. The goal came as a result of a quick flick shot from 21 feet.
The period provided the Buffalo with more scoring opportunities but they couldn’t capitalize on the chances at the period ended with the score at 0-1 in favour of the away team. During the course of the period, the Buffalo Sabres made 11 goal attempts out
of which one found the back of the net. The home team, Atlanta Thrashers made just 2 goal attempts.
2nd Period
The Buffalo Sabres started the 2nd period on a high, as they managed to make good and strong attacks during the first few minutes of the period.
During this time, they scored in the 2nd minute to establish the 2 goals lead. The goal was scored by Tyler Myers, who scored during a power play through 57 feet powerful shot. Taking the lead and sitting in a comfortable position, the Buffalo
Sabres continued to play with the attacking mentality they adopted. This resulted in them scoring once again in the 3rd minute again during a power play. The goal was scored by Cody Maccormick from some good wrist work 10 feet away from goal.
After trailing 3-0, the Atlanta Thrashers changed their strategy and started to display some good ice hockey. They showed some excellent skill in the department of attack as well as passing. However, they couldn’t score during the course of the period. The
period ended with the Buffalo Sabres in the lead with the 3 goals.
With the 2nd period coming to an end, the Buffalo Sabres scored twice out of the 16 goal attempts they made and the Atlanta Thrashers made 10 unsuccessful attempts.
3rd Period
The home teams started like the previous period making decent goal attempts. But this time they capitalized and scored in the 2nd minute during power play to cut the 3 goals lead. The score at the time was 3-1 as Tobias Enstrom scored through
a powerful shot from 51 feet.
After this, the Buffalo Sabres put the foot on the gas, started to attack the opposing goal regularly, and scored in the 11th minute to seal the win. The was score by Thomas Vanek from 38 feet that took the score to 4-1 in favour of the away team.
The period ended on a high for the Buffalo Sabres, who managed to pile numerous shots. During the course of the final period, the Buffalo Sabres made 15 shots out of which one goal was scored and the Atlanta Thrashers scored once out off the 6 goal attempts
they made.
At the end of the match, Tyler Myers said, "Yeah, either way it felt good to capitalize on the power play," Myers said.
"We've been struggling a little bit with that here at the start so it felt good to get one tonight."
"That was a bullet," Sabres Coach Lindy Ruff said of Vanek's goal.
"It was a nice play off the faceoff and he took advantage of it."
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