Sabres win thriller vs Toronto 5-4 in Shootout

What a game! The Sabres won a thriller at First Niagara Center 5-4 in a shootout against the Maple Leafs in a physical, gritty, high scoring game that was one of if not the best of the year. The game started off as it has usually this year for the Sabres. The Maple Leafs quickly got to a 2-0 lead in the first period as Miller was not on his A game really until late in the third period. The Arena was packed full of Sabres and Maple Leaf fans in which many brawls broke out in the arena. That shows the rivalry these two cities have in Hockey. The ice had some brawls as well in the first period John Scott dropped the gloves against Frazer Mclaren and boy was it a awesome fight both getting some huge ones in but Scott got the best of Frazer in the end getting him against the boards and unloading the guns. On the other side of the ice Patrick Kaleta was getting attacked by Colton Orr as Kaleta did not drop the gloves until the Refs came in and it was too late. Well that really got the crowd pumped. Tyler Ennis then made a nice effort goal to put the game within one. So the 2nd period rolls along, yes Sabres fans we all dread the feared second period which has been a nightmare for the Sabres this year and it started off just like that as Mikhail Grabovski scored under Miller to put the game at 3-1. Foligno really impressed me in this game with his puck possession. He threw the puck on net and made a great effort to keep digging and get the puck in to put it back again within one. Ehroff and Porter had the assists on the game and it was one of 3 points for Ehroff who had a great offensive game. More aggressive play came when Steve Ott had a bone crushing hit getting the crowd back into it. He was the big hero in this game but we will talk about that in a bit. Cody Hodgson and Pominville ran the offense into the zone and as Hodgson held the puck behind the net, Pommers drifted to the front of the net being put a perfect pass and put it between the pads of goaltender James Reimer. So now its tied heading into the third and I was very positive on how the Sabres were playing aggressive and disciplined hockey which they need to do more of and last night proved they are a tough team to play against. The Sabres went on the power play early in the third and 22 seconds in, D-man Christian Ehroff rocketed a shot from the point and in to put the Sabres up 4-3. Although the Sabres have been very weak at the defense, Ehroff has been the bright spot with 14 total points on the year which is 6th on the team and a team high +/- of 6. The Sabres went on the penalty kill later in the period, The Sabres were playing good zone D on the PK but after a shot from Franson at the point, Miller who was screened had no chance of seeing the puck and Nazem Kadri made a nice tip to tie up the game. So the game heads into OT and as bad as I wanted the regulation win as Toronto is 4 points ahead of Buffalo, a point is a point but the Sabres have struggled in extra time this year but this time it was different. Nobody could score in OT so it went to a shoot out where it took 3 skaters for the first goal when Tyler Bozak put it behind Miller to put the Leafs up 1. So its all down to the next Sabre skater who in my head I'm thinking either Vanek or Hodgson......Drew Stafford to the center of the ice....What? Well it seemed to pay off but it may have had a post ST. Patrick's  day luck as Stafford took the shot over Reimer who seemed to have made the save but no it trickled down Reimers back and into the net to tie the game. What luck well it got better, Steve Ott was up and came flying into the O-Zone at first I am thinking hes gonna over skate it but just as he is apporaching Reimer, he makes the right turn and puts the backhand in between Reimer's pad and the goal post Goal! Ott was the big player of the game to me with his physical play all game long and then the SO goal to win the game. Why isn't he Captain? No disrespect to Pominville but he doesn't seem like a vocal leader and Ott sure does. Anyway last up is former Buffalo Sabre Clarke Mcarthur who before did not have a goal ever in a shootout, well that continued as Miller made a nice save to end the game. The Sabres won it 5-4 in a shootout and are now only 4 points out of 8th the race for eight is on! Sorry for all you fans who wanted the first overall pick and to select Mikinon....well that's not what the Sabres have in mind. Regier before the game talked about possible trades including Vanek, Pommers, and Ryan Miller who have been with the team for a while. Hey I'm all for trading these guys but at the right price of course. Regier said trading a experienced for a unproven young skater is ideal for Buffalo but I don't wanna rush into getting rid of these guys who will be essential to the Sabres getting into the playoffs. Next up is a rematch between the divison rival Sabres vs Canadiens Saturday  at 7 and will be huge for the Sabres to go within a game of eight possibly.