Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres were unable to overcome a quick start by the Calgary Flames in a 4-3 loss on Thursday night at KeyBank Center. Calgary was able to score just over a minute into the game and never trailed.
Jonathan Huberdeau was able to collect his second goal of the season to open the scoring less than a minute into the game. The veteran forward slid a rebound chance to the net, and the puck deflected off the foot of Sabres goalie Devon Levi to give the Flames a 1-0 lead. Elias Lindholm and Rasmus Andersson assisted on the goal.
The Sabres answered back a few minutes later to even the score at 1-1. Erik Johnson scored his first goal as a member of the Sabres thanks to passing around the offensive zone. Rasmus Dahlin moved the puck along the blue line, while Kyle Okposo carried the puck in the zone to help create the chance. Both players were credited with assists.
A turnover in their own zone resulted in a scoring chance for the Flames and another goal for the visitors. Walker Duehr eventually scored his first goal of the year to allow Calgary to enjoy their second lead of the night, 2-1.
Tage Thompson broke out with his first goal of the season on Buffalo's third power play chance of the period. The forward buried a shot from the faceoff dot past Flames goalie Dan Vladar with Mackenzie Weegar in the penalty box. Dahlin picked up his second point of the game with an assist, along with Dylan Cozens.
Neither side were able to break the stalemate in the second period, despite power play opportunities in the frame. The Sabres were credited with seven shots in the second, while Levi stopped all 10 Calgary shots on goal.
However, less than two minutes into the third period, Blake Coleman broke the tie with his first goal of the season. The forward connected on a one-time chance thanks to a pass from rookie Matt Coronato for a 3-2 Flames lead.
Less than two minutes later, JJ Peterka was able to find a spot in the slot to beat Vladar to the top corner. Cozens made the pass that helped create the goal for the primary assist. Henri Jokiharju was also credited with an assist on the goal that tied the game at 3-3.
Just over a minute later, though, Calgary had an answer for the Sabres. Adam Ruzicka was able to convert on a chance in the offensive end and provide the Flames with the 4-3 lead.
The Sabres' best chances in the final period came on a power play chance when Andrew Mangiapane hit Dahlin high and was called for an extra minor. However, Calgary was able to kill off the penalty and limit chances against for the rest of the game.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 6:06 - Erik Johnson (1) (Rasmus Dahlin, Kyle Okposo); 14:28 - Tage Thompson (1) PPG (Dylan Cozens, Rasmus Dahlin)
CGY: 0:49 - Jonathan Huberdeau (2) (Elias Lindholm, Rasmus Andersson); 10:15 - Walker Duehr (1) (A.J. Greer, Yegor Sharangovich)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
CGY: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: 3:14 - JJ Peterka (2) (Dylan Cozens, Henri Jokiharju)
CGY: 1:52 - Blake Coleman (1) (Matt Coronato, Dennis Glibert); 4:35 - Adam Ruzicka (2) (Nazem Kadri)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 1:28 - Tyson Jost (Hooking - 2 min.); 15:01 - Casey Mittelstadt (Hooking - 2 min.)
CGY: 6:47 - Walker Duehr (Slashing - 2 min.); 10:36 - Nikita Zadorov (Roughing - 2 min.); 13:53 - Mackenzie Weegar (Tripping - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 16:27 - Connor Clifton (Tripping - 2 min.)
CGY: 6:28 - Dillon Dube (Cross-checking - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 6:35 - Connor Clifton (Tripping - 2 min.); 12:33 - Rasmus Dahlin (Roughing - 2 min.); 18:53 - TEAM (Too many men on the ice - 2 min.)
CGY: 12:33 - Andrew Mangiapane (Roughing - 2 min.); 12:33 - Andrew Mangiapane (High sticking - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Adam Ruzicka - CGY
2.) Jonathan Huberdeau - CGY
3.) Dylan Cozens - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres continue their four-game homestand on Saturday night when they host the New York Islanders for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop. Pregame coverage on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550 - with Brian Koziol starts at 6 p.m. ET.