Philadelphia (WGR550) -- Tim Connolly broke a 2-2 tie with a pair of goals in the third period as the Buffalo Sabres broke their four-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers Friday afternoon.
Drew Stafford gave the Sabres a 1-0 lead after leading a rush up the ice and slipping the puck past Ray Emery midway through the first period. Tim Connolly and Toni Lydman were credited with assists on the even strength goal. Ryan Miller started the break out for Buffalo by making a save and kicking the rebound out for Lydman to send up the ice.
Patrick Kaleta was ejected from the game following a major boarding penalty for a hit from behind on Jared Ross. Kaleta received a five-minute boarding penalty and a game misconduct for the hit. Riley Cote was called for a two-minute roughing minor for going after Kaleta following the hit.
Flyers' captain Mike Richards tied the game 1-1 with under a minute to go in the opening period. His 11th of the season was assisted by James van Riemsdyk and Jeff Carter. Braydon Coburn gave Philadelphia the lead with four seconds to go in the first, making the score 2-1. Aaron Asham and Mika Pyorala were credited with assists.
Paul Gaustad redirected a shot by Connolly from the point past Emery to tie the game 2-2 early in the second period. Gaustad's sixth goal of the season came on the power play with Oskars Bartulis in the penalty box. Connolly and Chris Butler assisted on the goal.
Connolly's wrist shot early in the third period beat Emery in the top corner of the net to give Buffalo a 3-2 lead. Clarke MacArthur and Tyler Myers assisted on the goal. Connolly's second goal of the game gave the Sabres a 4-2 lead midway through the third. Drew Stafford and Steve Montador each picked up their fourth assists of the season on the goal.
Ryan Miller made 31 saves for his 13th victory of the season. Ray Emery took the loss despite stopping 21 of Buffalo's 25 shots. The Sabres went 1 for 3 on the power play, while killing off all 5 Philadelphia power play opportunities.
The Sabres host the Carolina Hurricanes tomorrow night at 7 o'clock on the Sabres Radio Network. Pre-game coverage with Brian Koziol begins at 6 p.m.
Photo courtesy of The AP.
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