Third Line Impressive In Jackets 3-2 Win Over Buffalo
By Dave Weissman
Photos by Tom Theodore

Buffalo brought their high powered offense came to Columbus looking for an easy victory. But, it was Columbus’ third line scoring two third period goals to lift the Blue Jackets to a 3-2 victory over the Sabres.

Columbus (19-25-5) was feeling good after a defeat of Detroit before the All-Star break and knowing that their next 10 of 14 games were in the friendly confines of Nationwide Arena. Buffalo (33-13-4, 70 pts.) has the second-best record in the NHL behind only Nashville, which has 71 points. The Sabres have dropped their last five of seven.

There was not a ticket to be found. The arena was a sellout and the upper-bowl was filled with Buffalo fans. They cheered the introductions for their team and booed when the Jackets were introduced. They banged their thunder sticks. They cheered throughout the game.

"It was a playoff atmosphere,” said Columbus head coach Ken Hitchcock. “My look is always to the top rows. This is the loadest I’ve heard here."

One set of fans seated just below the press box drove here from Buffalo just for the game. “We drove 5 hours in a blizzard to come here,” he said. “We can’t get a ticket in Buffalo.”

The Blue Jackets got things started off first. At 12:09 of the first period, Sergei Fedorov found Rick Nash in the slot on a Jackets power play. Nash beat Ryan Miller on the glove side to put the Jackets up 1-0. The goal was Nash’s 8th power play goal and 14th goal of the season. David Vyborny tallied his team leading 31st assist on the goal.

"It was a lucky one, but those are the ones you need to get you going sometimes to get you going," said Nash.

Fredrik Norrena stood on his head stopping excellent scoring chances, but could not keep the high powered Sabres offense in check forever. Buffalo has four 20-goal scorers; Chris Drury, Thomas Vanek (24), Maxim Afinogenov and Jason Pominville (21).

At 15:57 in the 1st period, Drury beat Norrena blocker side high during the second of back-to-back power plays for Buffalo. It was Drury’s 11th power play goal and 25th of the season. Norrena went low and Drury went high.

Just before the end of the 1st period, Anders Eriksson was whistled for cross checking, a penalty that saved a Buffalo goal. On top of that Adam Foote was called for a holding penalty moments later to give Buffalo 5-on-3 for 20 seconds.

On the ensuing power play, Daniel Briere’s initial shot was a blocker side save by Norrena, but Drury buried the rebound who went high again for his second goal of the game.

“You have to play 5 on 5 with these guys” said Jackets forward David Vyborny.

Buffalo has scored 72 goals in the second period and at 19:42 of the second, they looked to extend their lead further.

During a breakaway by Sabres winger Daniel Paille, Norrena came out to challenge but his stick came out of his hand. The referee awarded a penalty shot to Paille. Norrena got a piece of it and the puck sailed wide of the target.

That was huge and gave Columbus some momentum heading in the 3rd period. At the time, the Jackets trailed by 1, being outshot 15-4 in the period.

"We had our opportunities to put them away and we didn't.,” Buffalo’s head coach Lindy Ruff said. “When you have nine or 10 opportunities to score, you have to put them in. We didn't."

Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller, who stopped 9 of 12 at the All-Star game, was not challenged much (13 shots) by the Jackets in the first two periods. In the 3rd period, it became a show by the third line of Manny Malhotra , Dan Fritsche and Jason Chimera.

Matching the intensity that Buffalo showed in the first two periods, Columbus swarmed the net and put 13 shots on goal during the period coming out with two goals and the victory for their efforts.

"'Hitch' came in after the second period and gave us a little pep talk. We knew we had to be better, and that was one of our best third periods,” Nash said. “Everyone was working."