Carolina Hurricanes blows away Buffalo Sabres as visitors, shutting Sabres out by 1-0 – NHL Updates
Carolina Hurricanes moved in closer to a playoff spot as it shut out the roaring Sabres by 1-0 on Tuesday night at Sabres’ own territory, the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. Cam Ward made an incredible 40 saves, each one having its own significance, helping
Carolina finally ending its four-game losing streak.
"We feel we have arguably the best goaltender in the world", Carolina’s coach, Paul Maurice, said about Ward, who stopped 22 of those 40 shot attempts in the first period alone, making the third most saves this season. "For a one-goal hockey game, there
was lots’ going on".
Brandon Sutter got the only goal of the game, with under a minute left in the first period, off a rebound when Derek Joslin was rejected by Ryan Miller who couldn’t control the loose puck.
Miller made 32 saves for Hurricanes, but the one he let through was all it took to ruin his almost perfect night.
Sutter couldn’t have ever imagined that his first period goal would be the game winner.
Buffalo, under the leadership of new owner, Terry Pegula, has really improved, gaining a playoff berth which is a sort of an accomplishment it hasn’t seen much this season.
It stands eighth in the Eastern Conference, just above Carolina by a marginal two-point difference.
Both teams are in a head to head competition with each other because they’re realistically the only ones fighting for a playoff opportunity as the season comes to an end.
"We came out and gave it everything we had in the first period", Sabres’ coach, Lindy Ruff, said. "We got some Grade opportunities and we didn't capitalize”.
Buffalo had to face a valuable loss just a few days ago, before their previous match with Ottawa. Legendary Sabres’ player, Rick Martin, died after having a heart attack in his car which went off the road, hitting a pole and a tree.
Sabres honoured him before the match began, but were proud that he had seen Buffalos returning to its old form under Pegula’s vision.
Pegula along with team’s president, Ted Black, were present during the first period of the game.
Sabres’ also had over 10 minutes of power-play opportunity but wasn’t able to throw a single shot into the net.
"It doesn't matter at this time of year", Hurricanes’ captain, Eric Staal, said, referring to the lack of production. "It's about getting the win and the two points. So we'll take that".
Hurricanes faces Toronto Maple leafs on Wednesday, starting a three-game home stand while Sabres host Atlanta Thrashers on Saturday.
Both teams meet up in April once again before the end of the regulation season.
Tags: