Phoenix Coyotes bounce back with 4-2 win over Buffalo Sabres - NHL Match Update
The First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York, United States was packed with fans looking forward to seeing their team move up to the top spot in the Eastern Conference, but to their disappointment, the Phoenix Coyotes came equally prepared to defeat the Sabres, 4-2, Saturday night, November 19, 2011.
Buffalo was only one point from tying Philadelphia for the top spot in the East with 24 points, and having won this match, the Sabres could have taken it over, which would have been a first in recent years for the rejuvenated team.
Not having been able to counter on a number of opportunities, the Sabres head coach, Lindy Ruff, stood frustrated throughout the contest.
"We missed too many opportunities", Ruff said. "Point blank. We missed empty nets. We hit a few posts. It isn't good enough. If you want to win a game and come out with that much energy, you have to put those chances away".
Phoenix Coyotes team captain, Shane Doan, scored his sixth of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season a few minutes to go before the midway point of the opening period.
Luke Adam answered back with less than nine minutes remaining to level the match.
Patrick Kaleta sent the home crowd roaring with joy after making his tie breaker goal only 51 seconds into the second period but Phoenix did not stay behind for long as Radim Vrbata and Paul Bissonnette scored two straight before halfway through to take the lead before entering the third period.
Radim Vrbata secured the match with his second of the night and eighth of the season at the 18:49 mark in the final period, which was only 1:11 before the final buzzer sounded to indicate the end of the game.
"That's when the game turned," Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said. "They pushed hard early, but when we got those two quick ones that was the push back we needed. We carried play from the second half of the second period."
Phoenix has one more on the road against the Washington Capitals before returning home while the Sabres host the Boston Bruins on Wednesday.
Tags: