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Sabres Blow 2-goal Lead, Lose 4-3 to Panthers

The Buffalo Sabres' defense cost them again on Sunday. The Sabres losing 4-3 to the Florida Panthers, who came in scoring just 2.3 goals per game.

Buffalo opened the game strong, taking a 2-1 lead after one period. Thomas Vanek continued his blazing start with a goal and assist in the first.

The wheels came off for the Sabres toward the end of the second period. They gave up a two-goal lead on goals by Florida's George Parros and Peter Mueller.

In the third period, a penalty led to a Brian Campbell power play goal.

The Sabres drop to 3-5-2 on the season.

First Period

Goal Summary

BUF: 2:46 - Thomas Vanek (8), (Jason Pominville, Cody Hodgson). 13:41 - Cody Hodgson (5), (Thomas Vanek)
FLA: 8:36 - Shawn Matthias (1), (Jerred Smithson).

Shots On Goal

BUF - 10, FLA - 11

Second Period

Goal Summary

BUF: 3:49 - Alexander Sulzer (2), (Thomas Vanek, Cody Hodgson)
FLA: 10:21 - George Parros (1), (Stephen Weiss). 19:06 - Peter Mueller (4), (Drew Shore).

Shots On Goal

BUF - 6 (16), FLA - 9 (20)

Third Period

Goal Summary

FLA: 9:27 - Brian Campbell (4) (Power Play) (Tomas Kopecky, Jonathan Huberdeau)

Shots On Goal

FLA: 13

BUF: 4

Filed Under :
Topics : Sports
Social : Sports
Locations : Buffalo, Florida
People : Alexander Sulzer, Brian Campbell, Cody Hodgson, George Parros, Jason Pominville, Jonathan Huberdeau, Peter Mueller, Shawn Matthias, Stephen Weiss, Thomas Vanek, Tomas Kopecky

02/03/2013 5:43PM

Sabres Blow 2-goal Lead, Lose 4-3 to Panthers

Please enter your comments below.

02/03/2013 5:45PM

Theodore ELITE!, SOFTEE coughs up another, Walmart sinking !!

Pegula: The pieces are im place!! BEAUTIFUL LOOSERS!! EXTENSIONS ARE IN ORDER!! JERSIES 75% OFF! I love Hecht!

02/03/2013 5:47PM

No Points against the 2 SOFTEST TEAMS IN HOCKEY!!!

Ruff sucks the LIFE out of his WALMART CREAMPUFFS! Dineen SHOULD BE HERE! EXTEND REGEIR!!!

02/03/2013 5:49PM

ALFIE TUESDAY!, HIDE MR SOFTEE!!!

No one OWNS "THE ELITE ONE" more than, GULP!, ALFIE!! I can't wait!! KEEP RUFF, PLEASE! This so fun!

02/03/2013 5:51PM

THE PIECES ARE IN PLACE! FORE!!!

Walmart: the biggest Nickle and Dime franchise in pro sports! Spring is almost here, get Your golf clubs out!! FOREVERFORE!!

02/03/2013 5:54PM

Campbell PONKS MR SOFTEE!!

Brian Campbell, Kevin Dineen, Craig Ramsey PARTY AT WALMART!!! Ruff AIN'T GOIN NOWHERE!!!

02/03/2013 5:55PM

TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY

02/03/2013 5:56PM

RUFF'S CHARGE TO LAST PLACE!!!

The pieces are in place, GO RUFF!!!

02/03/2013 5:59PM

Ted Nolan

Get Teddy back in here. He never should've left

02/03/2013 5:59PM

WGR TURN UP BILLS HEAT ON SABRES PLEASE!!!

WGR spends September thru december busy bashing the Bills but coddle Walmart to make one sick. Do your job responsibly, the Bills have HIRED 5 COACHES in 13 seasons, while Ruff continues to suck the life out of this franchise!!! WGR stand up and be professional!!

02/03/2013 6:00PM

Dear Mr. Pegula

Your team sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

02/03/2013 6:01PM

PEGULA: FIRE RUFF/REGEIR; HIRE...

CarL Cammardo!!! THE PIECES ARE STILL IN PLACE!!!

02/03/2013 6:02PM

TERRY

I think Pegula has polluted so much ground around his wells he cant smell the stink in the locker room. Ruffs reshuffling of lines can't. hide the fact the talent is not there. He makes his players so tight they are thinking too much which is usually counter productive.

02/03/2013 6:04PM

Sabres = Geico...

Ruff Regeir Commardo!!! How come we have to stomach this on our radio and TV!!?? Jeezuz H!

02/03/2013 6:07PM

BAD TEAM

Let's just admit it. This is a bad hockey team. Time for a complete make over. Forget all the excuses, this team can not compete at the NHL level.

02/03/2013 6:11PM

fire ruff

why is Ruff so untouchable ?? Pegula will NEVER WIN with this guy. He had Hasek and didn't win a cup. it's a joke, how about 16 more years !!!!!!

02/03/2013 6:14PM

goalie

has ryan miller lost it? why cant this guy steal a game? i know our defense is playing bad, but come on ryan we are paying him top dollar.

02/03/2013 6:16PM

My Poll Question...

Who of the following makes you change the radio channel faster? a.) Carl Commardo b.) Darcy Regeir c.) Paul Hamilton Be honest now, ANY AND ALL OF THEM. Honerable mention; Jeremy White.

02/03/2013 6:45PM

So be it!

How do you feel bad for guys who play games for millions yet have to flounder with this team and this coach?

02/03/2013 6:52PM

Typo??

Should have just read... Sabres Blow.

02/03/2013 6:59PM

Ruff

Must Go

02/03/2013 7:14PM

Wrong Title

Correct the title to: "Miller Blows Yet... Another Lead" to be exact. How many has it been over the last four years??? Trade this idiot!!!

02/03/2013 7:20PM

Time

Lost to the worst team in the conference at home after being up by two goals and having been embarassed the day before. This team flat out sux. Change is needed and as much as I like Lindy Ruff, his time has come. The team is undisciplined, sloppy and doesn't give full effort. Time to change the coach and see if someone else can do better.

02/03/2013 7:23PM

and...

Ruffs still the coach and Paul Hamilton is full of excuses. Isn't this getting old? Brian, back to you.

02/03/2013 8:06PM

EXTEND RUFF

EXTEND RUFF!!! TELL THE WHINERS THEYRE TOO MUCH!!! EXTEND RUFF!!!

02/03/2013 8:08PM

roll the lines

/ruff continues to shorten the bench when the league is playing games at a crazy rate. /he has to dress 12 forwards and play them all. we will continue to see them run out of gas late into the second,

02/03/2013 8:09PM

I am

I am really mad that Ruff cannot stifle Vaneks offensive talent.

02/03/2013 8:10PM

Mr. Pegula

It is about time you started running this team with your head instead of your heart. Fire Ruff

02/03/2013 8:14PM

From this day forward.......

......the sole reason for the existence of the Buffalo Sabres is to drive their fans away! Congratulations, mission accompolished!

02/03/2013 8:15PM

Question?

Can we go back to the lock-out? I enjoyed it much better when the Sabres weren't playing.

02/03/2013 8:18PM

Look on the bright side

At this pace, we will be sitting pretty for a draft pick. This team makes me puke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

02/03/2013 8:30PM

Miller and Ruff

Need a change. I am not one of those anti Lindy Ruff guys, but this start is not something that a coach should survive. Miller need to go too. Yes, the d has been bad, but Miller has done nothing to help them out either.

02/03/2013 8:43PM

It's Time

I have been a Lindy Ruff fan since he was the Sabres team captain, blocking shots, scoring goals, and fighting. I have rooted for him to take the Sabres to the cup and actually win the thing. Unfortunately, the time has come to fire him since the players are not playing for him. It's time to bring back Ted Nolan who will give the players a needed change the motivation department. It's time for Terry Pugala to fire Darcy also (eat the contract extension). Perhaps Don Luce or Rick Dudley can build us a winner. "The sole reason for existence for the Buffalo Sabres is to win the Stanley Cup." Make the needed changes!!!

02/03/2013 8:46PM

Are You Really?

are you really surprised that they lost another? this is how the Sabres will play till Lindy gets his team to play like pros- it gonna be the longest shortened season we will ever have endured

02/03/2013 8:48PM

PEGULA

WAKE UP! RUFF AND REGIER NEED TO GO AS THIS IS THE SAME TEAM WE HAVE BEeN WATCHING FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW!!!!!! HIS COACHING IS PATHETIC AND SO IS THIS TEAM REGIER HAS PUT TOGETHER. SIMPLY PUT, THEY ARE NOT GETTING THE JOB DONE SO IT IS TIME TO BE A BOSS AND NOT A BUDDY!

02/03/2013 8:54PM

Wake Up Terry

Hello....Terry....Hello...Wake up...I hope Lindy enjoys the SB at your house....But do yourself a favor right before he leaves for the night.....FIRE HIM !!!

02/03/2013 10:22PM

We're going nowhere,,,,,,

There are too many soft players on this team, and the coach's message is not getting through. Losing at home to a horrible team like Florida is totally unacceptable. All it tells me is that we are pretty bad too. Ruff needs to start sitting underachievers like Stafford, Leopold,and Myers if he wants to save his job.

02/03/2013 11:02PM

three wins, seven losses

Is it too late to add a few more years to regeir and ruffs contracts? Because this NEVER gets old.

02/03/2013 11:34PM

Ruff start !!

With Ruff as coach at least the Sabres have a solid shot at the first pick in the draft.

02/03/2013 11:59PM

Hey Bulldog

Hey Bulldog, aren't you glad we got rid of Derek Roy and not Lindy Ruff as he was obviously the problem (sacrastic). THAT ISN'T TO SAY THE LACK OF DEREK ROY IS THE REASON WE ARE LOSING SO REBUTTALS UNDERSTAND THAT. It is more to say that guys like Bulldog know nothing about hockey and the real problem of this team is behind the bench. 6 out of 10 years we have not made the playoffs and you can make it 7 out of 11. Yet the coach remains. I am glad bulldog is happy that our new number 9 has hands like stone.

02/04/2013 12:06AM

hmmm

Loosing interest pretty quick here.

02/04/2013 12:21AM

Sabres

Embarrassing, buy tickets though because that's what Terry wants.

02/04/2013 12:23AM

surprised?

I know the defense has been shaky but, elite goal tending doesn't constantly blow leads. Elite goal tending doesn't allow 3 goal games all season. see Carolina, Washington, Boston, Toronto, Montreal, Florida. This team is built on their elite goal tender. Team is a reflection of that. Drew stafford needs to get traded, its ridiculous to me that he plays the way he has and still gets the minutes. What a bust dude. Marcus foligno, man what happened? Do you know what checking is anymore? What physical play is anymore? For that matter does ANYONE on the team know how to forecheck? Oh wait no its the core. Its tim connolly, oh wait no its gaustad, no wait here it is its Derek Roy! He must still have a key card to the locker room because they are playing the same old hockey they always have. Who wouldnt trade roy for stafford right now, have to believe me i never got on the trade roy wagon... Time to get rid of ruff.....

02/04/2013 12:34AM

Will someone..

PUH-LEEEASE trade miller and Stafford. You can have ruff taken away by waste management... Waaaaaay to much talent not enough production...

02/04/2013 12:40AM

terrible D, terrible uninspired coaching

This defence has to be the most over rated in the league. I suppose if you pay them huge money then they must be great heh Darcy ? I think its time for Regier to go. Despite his ill timed extension.

02/04/2013 12:49AM

Quote

"its obvious we didn't take into consideration the lessons we learned last year". Can someone please tell me on who that falls other than coaching?

02/04/2013 12:58AM

Kudos to the reporter who asked this question:

(regarding getting caught pressing in the offensive zone with a 2 goal lead) "why does that happen tho everyone has played this game long enough, you know how to handle that" that's coaching plain and simple

02/04/2013 1:51AM

Who Built This Mess?

Poor defense, shaky goaltending and a one line offense. Three inexperienced centers...how many draws have we lost already this young season that have led directly to goals? Back in their brief glory run in the middle of the last decade the Sabres didn't have their developmental prospects playing such key roles as they do now(Hodgson, Ennis, Foligno, Myers, Grigorenko) and their vets lesser ones (Hecht, McCormick, Leopold, Gerbe, Ellis)...it was the other way around. Who are these young centers suposed to model their games after...Hecht? Are you kidding? Maybe 7 years ago. Darcy is either a magician getting Pegula to buy his nonsense or he's convinced him and Black that this is a developmental process that is going to take a few seasons and he's the guy to oversee it. Man...I'm tired of this garbage. Aren't you?

02/04/2013 3:35AM

i cant take this anymore!!!

enough is enough of Ruff!!!

02/04/2013 4:18AM

Hey Terry Pegula

You signed Regier to an extension and Ruff is still the coach. "How's that working out"?

02/04/2013 6:13AM

Bmsfan

There will be no changes until the fans just don't show up. Pegula has too much gas.

02/04/2013 7:02AM

$$ Spent

Another season comes and another season will pass where I do not spend .01$ on this team. Just like the Bills, until you get a real coach and REAL talent, the team will lose. Lets hope the draft is good in 2013.

02/04/2013 7:06AM

Was kind of excited....

When hockey season started. Took my Bills flag down and was proud to put up my Sabres flag. Because surely they're being run better than the Bills these days.....guess not. I'M TIRED OF WATCHING THE SAME NONSENSE I'VE WATCHED THE PAST5 YEARS!!!

02/04/2013 8:31AM

Still...

Still a small market team with a scared small market mentality.. the more things change the more they stay the same.. sad...

02/04/2013 8:55AM

How about that water bug Ennis and the shrimp Gerble???

Can anybody say Tarnasky and Adam??? WHAT A JOKE!!!

02/04/2013 9:04AM

I wish Ruff would make it easier for the fans...

and voluntarily leave his position as coach of the Buffalo Sabres. Its obvious that this team don't want to play for him anymore. The win over Boston, they did it for themselves. This is going to get worse. Something has got to crack and quickly. Irepeat: THIS IS GOING TO GET WORSE!!!

02/04/2013 9:18AM

Correct THIS

Uh yeah the Sabres are 3-5-1 not 3-5-2 thanks for the extra point but it wont help us as well be 30 points out of a playoff spot at the end of the season with Vanek on pace for 100 points.

02/04/2013 9:24AM

Just as I called it in a previous blog

The Sabres would lose both games over the weekend and the AM shills would talk about the Super Bowl commercials and what Stevie Johnson said and blow most of the show avoiding the disaster unfolding at the FNC. Howie, Sherrie, and Roxanne in the booth...outstanding job!!! Coming up Tuesday AM...the soft Ruff segment from Ottawa. Whippie!!!

02/04/2013 9:36AM

time for change....NOW

sorry lindy, to much talent for this team to be this bad

02/04/2013 9:39AM

time for change....NOW

sorry lindy, to much talent for this team to be this terrible

02/04/2013 9:54AM

Defensive is offensive....to watch

Erhoff, Myers, Leopold, Sulzer, it's just hard to watch this poor display of defense from a team that puts an emphasis on defense first. Thank our stars that Erhoff scored in the Montreal game, sorry that was for Montreal. Sulzer was 1 for and 1 against in the Florida game. Right now a senior C league team could take on the Sabres and win. Coaching isn't the problem, the players not showing up with consistency and grit is the problem. I think we call it pride in the sweater you wear. Something this bunch doesn't exhibit. Exception would be Hodgson, Vanek and Pommer.

02/04/2013 9:56AM

I'm Confused?

It has been said that Ruff has literally ruined many young offensive talents by smothering them in his "Defensive System"...What the heck is his "System".. It's certainly not "Defense"...Nobody back checks (Ennis)...The "D" constantly gets beat on the outside (Myers), Nobody plays tough in front of the net (Everyone)...Opponents skate freely through the neutral zone...If we're going play defense like this, bring back firewagon hockey (see the Boston game this year)...Let the offense loose..and forget about "Lindy's System"....come to think of it, can we just forget about Lindy too?

02/04/2013 10:03AM

Stay away from FNC

RUFF contract extension to another 15 years. Thank you Pegula! You are the savior to the Buffalo sports. We can't thank you enough. Your Sabres family are are so cozy and warm. Enjoy your life.

02/04/2013 10:07AM

Ruff post game conferences and Paul Shillmilton on WGR gigs

Are they re-run tapes? They're all the same. It has to be re-run tapes. EXCUSES, EXCUSES, EXCUSES, AND MORE EXCUSES. ONE EXCUSE AFTER ANOTHER. Will it ever end? PATHETIC!

02/04/2013 10:08AM

Send

both your Bills and Sabres down to Mayberry. It may be a small market now but it ripe for a population boom, and it's a forward thinking community where all the politicians get along and people work FOR each other. They'll be looking for pro sports teams to give them an identity. Y'all don't deserve any.... LOSERS.

02/04/2013 10:49AM

Don't trade Miller. Place him on waivers

If you trade Miller, we'll end up with someone of equal or lesser value. That means we'll get someone else who will be just as bad or worse. Like a 5th line center. The only guy worth anything on this team is Vanek. If we trade Vanek then we won't have Vanek. Your best bet, Sabres fans, is to just find a new team to root for. Ownership and executive management have convinced themselves the organization is heading in the right direction. Unless they are privy to a pending rule change that the Stanley cup gets awarded to the lowest point team in the NHL - I am not sure what direction that is. There's 29 other teams. Pick up a jersey and get started.

02/04/2013 10:53AM

Stevie Johnson

What did he say about Dope and the Lap Dog on Jim Rome that's got their panties in a bunch?

02/04/2013 11:16AM

MILLER

Not only is he bested by every back up at the other end...he is also beat by his own former back up..LMAO..you can't make this stuff up.

02/04/2013 12:14PM

11th Place, Maybe

We know exactly who we are, an 11th place team. Drew Stafford and Tyler Myers along with Mike williams are all stars on the "take the money and run" team.......

02/04/2013 12:30PM

this is pre-season -right?

When will we see championship hockey? I'm going to learn a second language rather than watch. By season's end at least I can thank the Sabres for something.

02/04/2013 12:36PM

It's time...

Last season a lot of people said it was time for Darcy to move on. We're way beyond that now. This is starting to become embarassing. I think the fact that Darcy is still here is becoming the joke of the league, and it's certainly making the fans in Buffalo furious!?

02/04/2013 12:48PM

STOP

supporting major sports and invest in yourself (take a jog, read a book) and in young kids who still care about the game (local college sports). When looking around Buffalo and seeing all the large guts from beer, wings, and 3 hours every weekend sitting in front of the TV watching millionaires on the grid iron or ice why is one surprised that we are all miserable? Change the game. Go Outside. Detach.

02/04/2013 12:50PM

dear sabre fans....

i just had lindy over my house,he washed my car and cleaned my doghouse so i gave him a FIVE YEAR EXTENSION!! too bad if you fans dont like it!!! p.s darcy's coming over next week to shovel and change the cat litter! STAY TUNED for more extensions

02/04/2013 1:00PM

live report from FNC

nothing changes as long as i get my sellouts ,thank you sabre fans from the bottom of my wallet!!!signed terry"used carsalesman" pukegula

02/04/2013 1:00PM

Buffalo =

Where talented and hard working players (NHL and NFL) go to become insignificant.

02/04/2013 1:02PM

Need a Coach?

Chan Gaily still doesn't have a job...

02/04/2013 1:06PM

No, no, no...this is exciting isn't it?

This is what everyone kept preaching was going to be a great team with improved centers, tremendous forwards, and a defence that was so deep they couldn't put any one of them on waivers lest they be snatched up immediately by another team. Couple all that with what the seeming majority of people in this area believe, that Ryan Miller is one of the top five goalies in the NHL and how could we lose? Incredibly, they also added that any team would love to have Lindy Ruff as their coach. Now, nine games in and the team looks the same as last year, as the year before last and the year before that. People never learn do they?

02/04/2013 1:31PM

Enough of Ruff!!!

In each of our losses this year, there have been several key elements that have led to our team's demise. From certain players under preforming, to injuries, to just plain dumb mistakes, it seems the Sabres are forever doomed to be in a downward spiral. While you can put some of the blame on individual players, overall it's a reflection of the coach and coaching staff. Ruff has been with the Sabres for 15 seasons, and quite frankly going to one Stanley Cup final in 15 years is pathetic. Look at the Bills, Chan lasted 3 years with no run in the playoffs before he was booted. Why should we keep Ruff for 5x as long with the same track record. We need to wake up this team and get ourselves into a position to make a dedicated run at a championship! Growing up with Ruff being the only head coach I remember, I love the man, but I love the Sabres more, and if that means having to part ways with Lindy, then so be it. "Buffalo, the official home of 'There's always next year!'"

02/04/2013 1:46PM

I hope Terry Pegula read the sports page in the Buffalo News Sunday

RUFF MUST GO!!!...RUFF MUST GO!!!...RUFF MUST GO!!!

02/04/2013 2:03PM

Any trades or firings yet???

Keep on losing and something has got to break. Whether you realize it or not, this team really sucks and is an embarrassment to watch. Things were bad last year with excuses, but this year, it is worse. Where is the jacka$$ GM through this suckfest???

02/04/2013 2:47PM

FIRE THEN TRADE

Ruff and Regier need to go. Then Im trading Vanek, Pomminville, and Miller and rebuilding with new management. Yea well take a step back if we trade those guys (maybe) but Id rather miss the playoffs and draft first or second overall than miss the playoffs and pick 12th or 13th like we usually do. Wed probably have to give up a draft pick to get someone to take Stafford so I would just buy him out. Problem is I think Pegula is as mesmerized by Regier as Regier is mesmerized by Ruff so its not gonna happen. LETS GO BANDITS. Pathetic.

02/04/2013 3:49PM

Note

If you use the word "kudos", you might want to rethink that and put your MEMEBERS ONLY jacket in the trash.

02/04/2013 3:51PM

@$$ Spent

Awesome. Very respectable of you. Now complete the trifecta. Find a new team and never visit here again.

02/04/2013 4:06PM

Who cares

Who cares about hockey anyway. The first lockout made me not watch hockey. I have ot watched a game since, and from the looks of this page it is the same team as before the first lockout. I have saved lots of $$$$$$. Wakeup Buffalo, and demand better by not going and not buying merchandise!

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