The seven game road trip came to an end tonight for Buffalo. Buffalo needed to defeat Vancouver in order to win the trip. This was the only meeting between these two teams this year.
Buffalo won the only meeting last year by a score of 5-2. The Sabres had to face another Olympic goaltender in Roberto Luongo on Monday night. Buffalo will then face Martin Brodeur on Wednesday.
Tim Connolly brought in a 15 game point streak, while Alex Burrows brought an 11 game point streak, so both players hoped to extend those. Buffalo could not be happier to get the road trip over with. They have not been home in about two weeks and would like to get away from the West coast.
Ryan Kesler had the first opportunity of the game when he received a breakaway pass, but he couldn’t beat Ryan Miller for the lead.
Adam Mair put Buffalo on the board first with his first goal of the season. With Mair’s goal, everybody on the Sabres has recorded at least a goal this season. Mikael Samuelsson tied the game at one with his 18th goal of the season. Then Henrik Sedin scored on a breakaway pass and Vancouver took a 2-1 lead.
Buffalo thought they had scored, but the goal was waved off by Kerry Fraser. Fraser called Paul Gaustad for a cross checking penalty before the puck went into the net. Lindy Ruff was furious at the call, as Gaustad was only fighting for position.
Vancouver started the third period with a two man advantage, but Ryan Kesler took a elbowing penalty. Kesler’s penalty gave Buffalo their first powerplay of the game and they capitalized.
Thomas Vanek got the goal while Tim Connolly got an assist, extending his point streak to 16 games. After Tyler Myers got hurt on a play, Vancouver went down the ice to regain their one goal lead with 15 minutes to go. it was Brad Lukowich’s first goal in 111 games, his first with the Canucks.
The Sabres pulled Miller for an extra attacker, but could not tie it up. With the loss, Buffalo finished 2-3-2 on the seven game road trip. They will finally play at home on Wednesday when they host the Devils.
Miller made 22 of 25 saves on the night as the Sabres fell 3-2. Roberto Luongo stopped 30 of 32 as the Canucks continue to win.