Sabres Take Down Flyers 5-2 in Season Opener

Moments later, the Flyers thought they tied it up, but the goal was waved off due to interference. Ruslan Fedotenko appeared to shove Ryan Miller off-balance as the puck bounced into the Buffalo net. Miller was sharp throughout the period, denying Philadelphia on several power play chances, including one in the final minute of the first.

The Flyers grabbed the lead early in the second period, scoring twice in the first five minutes. Sean Couturier, parked alone in front of Miller, deflected a shot to make it a 1-1 game. About two and a half minutes later, Claude Giroux put Philadelphia ahead on the power play, firing a rocket past Miller from the right circle. Buffalo nearly tied it up later in the period, but Ott was denied on a pretty pad save by Bryzgalov after a nice set up by Mikhail Grigorenko.

The equalizer finally cameon another power play chance when Thomas Vanek connected on a beautiful breakaway goal. Nearing the end of a 5-on-3 advantage, Pominville worked the puck up to Stafford at the blue line. Stafford hit Vanek, streaking in alone, in stride and the Sabres forward deked Bryzgalov to tie things up 2-2. Moments later, Buffalo showed off its new attitude when Drew Stafford went fist-to-fist with Scott Hartnell after the Flyers forward checked Tyler Ennis from behind.
 

After going back and forth for most of the third period, Buffalo caught a break at the 14:00 mark when Luke Schenn hauled down Marcus Foligno on a half-breakaway. The Sabres regained the lead on the ensuing power play with a Tyler Myers goal. Just a little over a minute later, Cody Hodgson put the Sabres up 4-2, flying down the ice to finish off a Vanek breakaway chance. The goal was allowed to stand following a brief review to check if Hodgson used his skate to kick the puck past Bryzgalov. Vanek capped off his big day with an empty net goal in the game's final minute to make it a 5-2 final.

The 1-0 Sabres are right back at it on Monday night when they visit the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. Hear the call on WGR SportsRadio 550 and the Buffalo Sabres Radio Network.

2nd Period
Goals

3.) Steve Ott (1 G, 0 A)