Preseason opener: Columbus 4, Buffalo 1
Sure the Sabres didn't put their best lineup on the ice Friday night, but the offense was nowhere to be found in the team's exhibition loss to Columbus.
Buffalo managed just 5 shots in the 1st period, and ended with a total of 21 for the game. Clarke MacArthur* scored the only goal for Buffalo, deflecting in a shot by Mike "Bring In Da Noise, Bring In Da" Funk, but it wasn't enough.
The Blue Jackets were 3-for-10 on the powerplay, and the goal by Rick Nash occured 2 seconds after a Drew Stafford penalty expired. Jocelyn Thibault was overall underwhelming in his debut as a Sabre.
The game was exceedingly intense for a preseason game, all started by Pat Kaleta's 1st period hit on Columbus' Nikolai Zherdev. A brawl ensued, which led to ejection of Andrew Peters. Kaleta had a target on his back the rest of the night, and a fracas late in the 3rd was started by him.
For being in opposite conferences, there seems to be some bad blood developing between the clubs. When the Sabres traveled to Ohio's capital last season, the Blue Jackets were quoted as saying that it was the most intense atmosphere they've ever had at the arena, thanks to the legions of Sabres fans that made the trip. Should the league's schedule get changed, this could be a developing rivalry.
Oh, and they get together to do it again on Sunday night at Nationwide Arena. Expect some physicality.
(*officially eSabre's new man-crush, details to come)
COLUMBUS 4, BUFFALO 1 - F
CBJ - 0 - 2 - 2 -- 4
BUF - 0 - 1 - 1 -- 1
GOALS
CBJ: Russell, Brule 2, Nash
BUF: MacArthur
GOALIES
CBJ: Mason (21 SA, 1 GA)
BUF: Thibault (22 SA, 4 GA)
GAME PUCKS (3 guys who played well)
MAREK ZAGRAPAN - Was clearly one of the best Sabres on the ice. Looked solid in all facets of the game, and showed some signs that he'll be a go-to-guy in the near future.
ANDREJ SEKERA - Except for getting his face beat in during the 1st period brawl, played a really solid game. With Numminen out, Sekera is going to get his chance to contribute, and looks like he will.
PATRICK KALETA - We all know what he does by now. If he earns a roster spot and playing time, it won't take long for him to reach that echelon of pests with guys like Sean Avery and be hated around the league. Nothing special, but his presence was felt.
GAME SCHMUCKS (3 guys who didn't)
JOCELYN THIBAULT - Uninspiring. Ryan Miller clearly means a lot to this team, and all Sabres fans better hope Millsie doesn't get hurt.
NATHAN PAETSCH - Didn't really show much of anything to set himself apart as an NHLer. He has to be hearing Sekera sneaking up behind him.
DEREK ROY - TV and Roysie are gonna be getting a lot of pressure this season because of their contracts. Preseason isn't any different. Was far from looking like a $4 million forward, and didn't really play much better than any other center on the team.
Next Game: Sunday @ Columbus, 5 PM
Buffalo managed just 5 shots in the 1st period, and ended with a total of 21 for the game. Clarke MacArthur* scored the only goal for Buffalo, deflecting in a shot by Mike "Bring In Da Noise, Bring In Da" Funk, but it wasn't enough.
The Blue Jackets were 3-for-10 on the powerplay, and the goal by Rick Nash occured 2 seconds after a Drew Stafford penalty expired. Jocelyn Thibault was overall underwhelming in his debut as a Sabre.The game was exceedingly intense for a preseason game, all started by Pat Kaleta's 1st period hit on Columbus' Nikolai Zherdev. A brawl ensued, which led to ejection of Andrew Peters. Kaleta had a target on his back the rest of the night, and a fracas late in the 3rd was started by him.
For being in opposite conferences, there seems to be some bad blood developing between the clubs. When the Sabres traveled to Ohio's capital last season, the Blue Jackets were quoted as saying that it was the most intense atmosphere they've ever had at the arena, thanks to the legions of Sabres fans that made the trip. Should the league's schedule get changed, this could be a developing rivalry.
Oh, and they get together to do it again on Sunday night at Nationwide Arena. Expect some physicality.
(*officially eSabre's new man-crush, details to come)
COLUMBUS 4, BUFFALO 1 - F
CBJ - 0 - 2 - 2 -- 4
BUF - 0 - 1 - 1 -- 1
GOALS
CBJ: Russell, Brule 2, Nash
BUF: MacArthur
GOALIES
CBJ: Mason (21 SA, 1 GA)
BUF: Thibault (22 SA, 4 GA)
GAME PUCKS (3 guys who played well)
MAREK ZAGRAPAN - Was clearly one of the best Sabres on the ice. Looked solid in all facets of the game, and showed some signs that he'll be a go-to-guy in the near future.
ANDREJ SEKERA - Except for getting his face beat in during the 1st period brawl, played a really solid game. With Numminen out, Sekera is going to get his chance to contribute, and looks like he will.
PATRICK KALETA - We all know what he does by now. If he earns a roster spot and playing time, it won't take long for him to reach that echelon of pests with guys like Sean Avery and be hated around the league. Nothing special, but his presence was felt.
GAME SCHMUCKS (3 guys who didn't)
JOCELYN THIBAULT - Uninspiring. Ryan Miller clearly means a lot to this team, and all Sabres fans better hope Millsie doesn't get hurt.
NATHAN PAETSCH - Didn't really show much of anything to set himself apart as an NHLer. He has to be hearing Sekera sneaking up behind him.
DEREK ROY - TV and Roysie are gonna be getting a lot of pressure this season because of their contracts. Preseason isn't any different. Was far from looking like a $4 million forward, and didn't really play much better than any other center on the team.
Next Game: Sunday @ Columbus, 5 PM
Labels: columbus blue jackets, preseason, sabres
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