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Vanek Leads Sabres Past Bruins 7-4



Thomas Vanek's red-hot start continued Thursday night in Boston. The Sabres forward netted a hat trick and added two assists, lifting Buffalo to a come-from-behind 7-4 victory over the Bruins.

It didn't take long for the two sides to butt heads. John Scott and Shawn Thornton went at it just 2:53 into the opening frame, a scrap that didn't last long but was enough to keep Thornton off the ice for the remainder of the game. Vanek finally opened the scoring 1:39 into the 2nd period, finishing off a 2-on-1 break with Cody Hodgson. The Bruins then fired back, rattling off three goals in succession. Rich Peverley found the net to make it a 1-1 game and Brad Marchand scored twice in the span of 3:11 to put Boston ahead 3-1.

Buffalo battled back, however, and pulled within one on Vanek's second of the night. The goal came during a 5-on-3 opportunity with both Milan Lucic and Zdeno Chara in the box. Vanek got it front of a Christian Ehrhoff shot and deflected it past Rask to make the score 3-2. The tying goal came just about a minute and a half later, Vanek made a diving pass across the crease to Tyler Ennis who snapped a shot into an open net.

The Bruins regained the lead 4-3 early in the third on David Krejci's second of the season, but Alexander Sulzer tied it less than a minute later. Mikhail Grigorenko fed a wide-open Sulzer from the far faceoff circle and the Buffalo defenseman converted. Later in the third, Vanek got a 2-on-1 break going by banking a pass to himself off the boards. Vanek moved in, faked a shot near the faceoff dot, and whipped a pass over to Hodgson who popped the puck into the net, putting the Sabres back in front 5-4.

Vanek's third goal and fifth point of the evening came on another odd-man rush. After shaking Dennis Seidenberg, Vanek was left completely alone in front of Rask. Standing in front of the crease, he deked the Boston goaltender with a couple of nifty moves and lifted a shot into the net, putting Buffalo up 6-4 with 1:31 to play. Jason Pominville added an empty netter in the final minute, part of a three-point night for the Sabres captain. Hodgson also finished with three points.

The Sabres return to action Saturday afternoon at the Bell Centre against the Montreal Canadiens at 2 p.m.. Hear the call on WGR and the Sabres Radio Network.

1st Period
Goals
None

Penalties
2:53 - BOS - Shawn Thornton (5 min., fighting)
2:53 - BUF - John Scott (5 min., fighting)
8:29 - BUF - Jordan Leopold (2 min., slashing)
15:36 - BUF - John Scott (2 min., elbowing)

2nd Period
Goals
1:39 - BUF - Thomas Vanek (4) (Cody Hodgson, Jason Pominville)
5:12 - BOS - Rich Peverley (1) (Daniel Paille, Chris Kelly)
7:43 - BOS - Brad Marchand (4) (Patrice Bergeron)
10:54 - BOS - Brad Marchand (5) (Patrice Bergeron, Tyler Seguin)
16:46 - BUF - Thomas Vanek (PPG) (5) (Christian Ehrhoff, Tyler Myers)
18:19 - BUF - Tyler Ennis (2) (Thomas Vanek, Marcus Foligno)

Penalties
5:32 - BOS - Rich Peverley (2 min., cross checking)
15:45 - BOS - Milan Lucic (2 min., boarding)

15:45 - BOS - Zdeno Chara (2 min., holding)

3rd Period
Goals
1:45 - BOS - David Krejci (2) (Nathan Horton)
2:28 - BUF - Alexander Sulzer (1) (Mikhail Grigorenko, Jochen Hecht)
6:54 - BUF - Cody Hodgson (4) (Thomas Vanek, Jason Pominville)
18:29 - BUF - Thomas Vanek (6) (Cody Hodgson, Mike Weber)
19:46 - BUF - Jason Pominville (EN) (5) (Unassisted)

Penalties
11:25 - BUF - Tyler Myers (4 min. double minor, high sticking)
11:56 - BOS - Dennis Seidenberg (2 min., tripping)

Goaltending
BUF - Ryan Miller (38 saves, 42 shots)
BOS - Tuukka Rask (25 saves, 31 shots)

Power Plays
BUF - 1 of 3
BOS - 0 of 4

Three Stars
1.) Thomas Vanek (3 G, 2 A)
2.) Brad Marchand (2 G, 0 A)
3.) Ryan Miller (38 saves)

02/01/2013 6:02AM
Vanek Leads Sabres Past Bruins 7-4
Please enter your comments below.
02/01/2013 6:25AM
Stanley Cup here we come......
With John Scott destroying every tough guy we face and Thomas Vanek scoring whenever he wants nothing can stop this team now.
02/01/2013 6:25AM
Nice
it was nice not only to blow out boston but to see a sabre blow out a bruin in a fight.Thorton will think twice about fighting scott again when he gets back from the land of unicorns.Miller still needs to play a complete game,sure he stood on his head inthe 3rd period but he really stunk the first two.I didnt really see any bruin trying to pick a fight after scott demolished thorton hmm scared are we.
02/01/2013 6:56AM
Great Win!!!
They played hard. Scott set the tone with his 1st period beat down. Vanek, Pomminville, and Ennis were unstoppable. But we still need more production from the other lines. Vanek isn't going to sscore 5 point every night. A lot of sloppy passes without purpose. Way too many giveaways. Miller made some great saves. If Lindy could only get that type of effort every game.
02/01/2013 7:41AM
Bumsfan
Give credit to Vanek and Miller but I think Scott's KO of Bruin Bully early on set the stage. No running of Miller and no Hansen Brother goon hockey which gave Miller a boost. Also no Ruff hockey of sending the puck deep behing the net and scrambling - instead forwards skated and made passes in front of the net. Given it was mostly only one line and defense was suspect but maybe a glimmer of hope.
02/01/2013 8:44AM
Let's not go bonkers White
I expected you to go over-shill this morning on the show. It's only a blip on the radar keep in mind. The Sabres are usually good for a 7 spot once in a blue moon. Back to sleep hockey at Montreal and vs Florida expected. (most likely losses)
02/01/2013 8:45AM
Fluke
They'll all get hurt patting themselves on the back. Especially R & R. Are Black and Pegula even in the country?
02/01/2013 8:51AM
Best and Worst
Best game ever by Vanek. Pommer does the dirty work. Myers and Leopold were the worst! And Lindy seemed to put them out there every other shift. They rewarded him by smelling up the ice!
02/01/2013 9:02AM
Vanek played well, but...
It doesn't happen every night that Vanek gets five points and if he doesn't play his best the game yesterday was a disaster. Sorry, but that game seemed more like the Bruins said, "Well, we're a little tired so let's size the Sabres up and see what happens," whereas the Sabres had to play their rears off to get a simple win and everyone acts like they just won the Cup. Scares me that this happens every year.
02/01/2013 9:04AM
Is This a Sign of Things To Come? Who Knows!
Its really too early to know. Before last night I thought we were going to see a repeat of the two previous seasons where they flounder for 2/3's of the season and struggle to get to the playoffs the final 1/3. And I wouldn't be ordering my playoff tickets yet. But as long as Vanek stays hot they have a chance. And if Pominville, Hodgson keep hot and Foligno, Ennis keep battling away, and Grigerenko keeps improving they'll keep it interesting. And if Stafford and Myers wake up and stay awake they should make it close.
02/01/2013 9:25AM
finally
I will admit I have been rough on Thomas Vanek since he has become a Sabre. While ademittingly he showed flashes of offensive brilliance he was never a two way player and of course for being the highest paid player on the team like Crosby and Ovechkin he should lead by example and demand the "C" on his chest. Last year I thought his game improved abd he started to become more of a two way player and finally after this year start the guy is now definitely the leader of this team. He scores, plays on all units of the game and takes and delivers some big hits. Keep it up TV and making the playoffs and beyond are achieveable.
02/01/2013 10:36AM
That's exactly how the Sabres have to play
Just score more than five since we have an average goaltender. That was awesome scrapping the system and just opening it up.. Do the same against Montreal and Florida netting more than five, and they'll be on their way to something......PLAYOFFS!!!
02/01/2013 10:40AM
the haters
are awfully quiet today. Go sabres
02/01/2013 10:45AM
Gerbe to Pho for 3rd round pick e3
A Tarnasky call up??? Stay tuned....
02/01/2013 11:09AM
no comments?
I love it how after a big win there are zero commentators on this forum. Seriously, I wish everyone would calm themselves its 7 games into the season. Before this game its seems everyone, inlcuding media members, were acting like the season was lost. Lets show a little objectivity here.
02/01/2013 11:16AM
Great!
It's great to see Vanek get some retribution on the ice. He struggles and puts a lot of pressure on himself and I get the feeling Lindy rides him. I hope he can relax a little and play his game. He's a top-20 all day long if he relaxes.
02/01/2013 12:41PM
Come on whoever wrote this....
Vanek did not "get in front of a Christian Ehrhoff shot." It was clearly a PASS all the way. If it was actually a shot by Ehrhoff it would have gone about 20 feet wide of the net. Pay attention, and report the story correctly.
02/01/2013 1:24PM
Leave Tyler Myers Alone You Idiots
I believe the injury he had in Europe is affecting his play. The only thing is that I wish Myers would say something and have it re-evaluated by the staff. Something ain't right. You can see it watching him that the leg injury is bothering him. If he is playing with that issue, he is trying to play through it which he should be credited for it. He should say something though and see whats up with it before it could end up worse with further damage. Stop with the nonsense all of you douches. Chara of the Bruins was putrid last night come to mind. Rask had no chance on any of the goals he gave up. Millers GAA is back where it normally is...AVERAGE. He was out of position on two of Bostons goals last night. Iffie!
02/01/2013 1:41PM
Wherz the Blogs
Man this station sucks.
02/01/2013 3:21PM
Where are the Trolls?
Forever-fore???? Fire Mindy Fluff???? Mister SOFTee????? Anyone????
02/01/2013 3:50PM
Spring hockey.... not yet
Too bad the Bruins don't play lazy like that in the SPRING eh? Keep the golf clubs ready, loosers... Foreever...
02/02/2013 9:12AM
One slash to Vanek, a broken bone, and its over
They've done it before and will do it again. Idiot Ruff puts him in Chara's wheelhouse for an injury. Sabres crumble like the sissies they are. Myers is soft. Lindy is ruining him. Stupid ownership & management forever!
02/02/2013 1:17PM
@ Where are the Trolls?
The lake isn't frozen yet. They may be on their boats trolling for Walleye down rigging during the lake-effects. Too rough to use planer boards.
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