Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres trailed by three goals heading into the third period and came within a goal of tying the game. However, they could not complete the comeback in a 5-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night at KeyBank Center.
Kent Johnson opened the scoring with a power play goal a little more than two minutes into the game, giving Columbus a 1-0 lead. Nick Blankenburg and Elvis Merzlikins assisted on the game's first goal.
However, Tage Thompson answered back just 18 seconds later with his 41st goal of the season. His wrister beat Merzlinkins to tie the game at 1-1. Jeff Skinner and Jack Quinn were credited with the assists.
Columbus was able to enjoy a 2-1 lead late in the opening period thanks to an Eric Robinson goal. The forward was able to take advantage of a fortuitous bounce, and buried his shot past Sabres netminder Craig Anderson.
Robinson added his second goal of the game to extend Columbus' lead to 3-1 midway through the middle frame. Sean Kuraly made a pass from below the goal line to help set up Robinson's seventh goal of the year after he was left alone in the slot.
Boone Jenner helped balloon the Columbus lead to 4-1 with just seconds to go in the second period. He was able to sneak a shot under the cross bar and beat Anderson.
A goal a little more than five minutes into the third period trimmed the Sabres' deficit to two goals, 4-2. Jack Quinn was able to use a wrist shot from the faceoff circle to Merzlikins' left to beat the goaltender and score his 11th goal of the season.
A power play goal less than five minutes later brought the Sabres to within a goal, 4-3. JJ Peterka was able to score after Columbus was called for too many men on the ice. It was Peterka's first goal since Dec. 13.
Robinson was able to complete his hat-trick and end the Sabres' threat, 5-3. His eighth goal of the season was assisted by Jenner. It came with the Sabres' goal empty in favor of an extra skater.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 3:11 - Tage Thompson (41) (Jeff Skinner, Jack Quinn)
CBJ: 2:53 - Kent Johnson (13) PPG (Nick Blankenburg, Elvis Merzlikins)
13:41 - Eric Robinson (6) (Unassisted)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
CBJ: 11:53 - Eric Robinson (7) (Sean Kuraly, Patrik Laine); 19:42 - Boone Jenner (19) (Nick Blankenburg, Andrew Peeke)
Third Period:
BUF: 5:02 - Jack Quinn (11) (Mattias Samuelsson)
CBJ: 19:24 - Eric Robinson (12) ENG (Boone Jenner)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 1:24 - Dylan Cozens (Tripping - 2 min.)
CBJ: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
CBJ: 0:09 - Jack Roslovic (Holding - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
CBJ: 8:20 - TEAM (Too many men on the ice - 2 min.); 15:02 - Sean Kuraly (Tripping - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Eric Robinson - CBJ
2.) Jack Quinn - BUF
3.) Boone Jenner - CBJ
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What's next:
The Sabres head to Boston to take on the Bruins on Thursday night. The puck drops on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550 at seven o'clock. Pregame coverage with Mike Schopp starts at 6 p.m.
