~ Concentration ~

The boys came out ready to play tonight.  They looked more like the team that they are.  Playing hard, with speed and great defense.  The first period seemed to be slow, but I know it wasn't.  No goals scored but the boys had about 15 shots on goal to NY's 8.  The first penalty of the game went to the Rangers Sean Avery and the crowd went nuts.  Avery was doing a little smack talking before the series and said he was going to hurt them, hit them hard, take them out of the game.  I'm paraphrasing, but it's pretty close.  His attempt was no doubt to get in the boys head and hope that he could get them to react and retaliate.  It didn't work.  The second started with more of the same.  Shots were a lot closer, and NY actually out shot the boys 15-13 but they came up empty.  We, on the other hand had more success.  With about 5 minutes left in the second period Thomas Vanek tipped in Kalinin's shot from the blue line.  Power play goal and they are up 1-0.  Two minutes, almost to the second, later Ales Kotalik took a wrist shot that rose a bit off the ice and went to the back of the net.  Yeah baby, 2-0!  Then two minutes later Vanek scored his second of the night.  Period 2 ends Buffalo up 3-0.  Half way through the third NY gets on the board with a goal by Marcel Hossa bringing them within 2.  That didn't last long though.  Pominville drives to the net and tips a Jochen Hecht shot past Lundqvist.  He is pushed into the net by a Ranger defensemen and the net comes off it's pegs.  The officials wave off the goal but it is taken to review.  The boys celebrated, but it was a waiting game.  Replays were showed over and over again as the officials were on the phone with Toronto.  All replays go through the league office.  As they showed the play it was clear the puck crossed the line and was in the net before the net came loose.  They then looked at whether Pominville directed the puck with his hand.  It was a good 5 minutes before the officials signaled towards center ice indicating it was a goal.  Sabres up 4-1.  The crowd erupts.  Signs are held high, yellow and white pom poms adorn the arena and TV screen.  With less then a minute left in the game NY gets on the board again.  Brendan Shanahan tips a wrist shot past Miller.  Miller was completely out of the play laying on his belly from a save just prior.   Buffalo leads 4-2.  NY pulls their goalie for the extra attacker in an attempt to score again.  The puck pops loose and Drew Stafford out hustles Jaromir Jagr and pushes the puck into the empty net.  Sabres win 5-2.  Yeah baby... taking a 1-0 lead in the series.   Don't want to take anything away from the Rangers, they did play hard, but the boys were able to neutralize Jagr.  He had only 2 shots in the first period and gave the puck away 5 times.  Can you say defense?  Bravo boys, way to step it up a couple notches.  Lets do it again Friday for game 2!

Tags: Buffalo Sabres, Stanley Cup Playoffs