Denver, Colo. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres kept up with their scoring ways on Thursday night in Denver, Colorado.
The blue and gold rode the high of their six-goal third period against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, adding four more in a 4-2 victory against the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena.
The Sabres got off-and-running in the first period of play, opening the scoring inside the first 60 seconds. White-hot Tage Thompson struck again, as his goal-scoring binge continued with his 24th of the season.
Thompson now only trails Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid in goal-scoring in the entire NHL.
Later on with around seven minutes gone in the frame, Alex Tuch netted his 15th goal of the year with a nifty tuck on a Sabres power play.
Late in the second period, what was a two-goal Sabres edge became three when Rasmus Dahlin wired an impressive shot bar-down off the Avalanche crossbar.
It was the defenseman's 10th goal of the campaign.
Colorado pushed hard in the third period, but came up a bit short in their endeavors.
Goals from forwards Mikko Rantanen and Evan Rodrigues got the Avalanche to within one. Rodrigues' goal made it a 3-2 game with 1:22 to play.
Less than 30 seconds later, though, Dylan Cozens' empty-net goal helped everyone breathe a sigh of relief, as the Sabres were able to pull further away as the seconds ran off the clock.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 40 saves on the 42 shots he faced in the victory.
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GAME RECAP:
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 0:54 - Tage Thompson (24) (Casey Mittelstadt, Kale Clague); 7:08 - Alex Tuch (15) PPG (Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson)
COL: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 17:11 - Rasmus Dahlin (10) (Tyson Jost, Victor Olofsson)
COL: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: 19:02 - Dylan Cozens (11) ENG (Unassisted)
COL: 8:20 - Mikko Rantanen (20) (Valeri Nichuskin, Artturi Lehkonen); 18:38 - Evan Rodrigues (7) (Valeri Nichuskin, Cale Makar)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 1:04 - Casey Fitzgerald (High sticking - 2 min.)
COL: 6:09 - Team (Too many men on the ice - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 12:42 - Vinnie Hinostroza (Interference - 2 min.)
COL: 0:55 - Cale Makar (Hooking - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
COL: NONE
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Tage Thompson - BUF
2.) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen - BUF
3.) Valeri Nichuskin - COL
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What's next:
The Sabres head to Tempe, Arizona to take on the Coyotes on Saturday night at Mullett Arena. Faceoff is set for 9 p.m. EST, and because of Saturday night's Bills-Dolphins matchup being on WGR Sports Radio 550, pregame with Brian Koziol starts at 8 p.m. EST on our sister station - News Radio 930 WBEN.
