Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres scored first, but the Boston Bruins scored three-straight goals, including a pair by Patrice Bergeron, for a 3-1 victory on Saturday night at KeyBank Center in Downtown Buffalo.
Tage Thompson scored his 11th goal of the season to give the Sabres a shorthanded score early in the game. His unassisted goal came when Thompson went 1-on-4 against the Boston defense and beat Keith Kinkaid with a deke at the top of the crease. Owen Power was serving a cross-checking minor when the goal gave Buffalo a 1-0 lead.
Buffalo was credited with 10 shots on goal in the opening period. The team had one power play chance, but was unable to score. With thanks to the Thompson shorthanded goal, the Sabres were able to kill off their only penalty of the frame.
Boston registered five shots on goal in the opening 20 minutes.
The Sabres had a pair of power play chances in the second period, but were unable to capitalize.
Instead, Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron cashed in on Boston's first power play opportunity of the period to tie the game at 1-1 late in the frame. Ilya Lyubushkin was in the penalty box serving time for a roughing penalty.
Both goaltenders made high pressure saves in the third period to keep the game tied until the late stages of regulation.
Jakub Zboril's first career NHL goal got through traffic in front of the net and gave Boston a 2-1 lead with just over seven minutes remaining in regulation. The shot may have been deflected on the way to the net.
Bergeron's second goal of the night came on a one-time chance after Brad Marchand fed the puck to the front of the net. The goal gave Boston a 3-1 lead with just under two minutes remaining in the third period.
Buffalo challenged to see if David Pastrnak high-sticked the puck prior to the goal, but the call on the ice was confirmed as a good goal.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 5:17 - Tage Thompson (11) SHG (Unassisted)
BOS: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
BOS: 18:51 - Patrice Bergeron (6) PPG (Jake DeBrusk, Brad Marchand)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
BOS: 12:31 - Jakub Zboril (1) (Tomas Nosek); 18:11 - Patrice Bergeron (7) (Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 4:45 - Owen Power (Cross-checking - 2 min.)
BOS: 18:30 - Patrice Bergeron (Hooking - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 17:43 - Ilya Lyubushkin (Roughing - 2 min.)
BOS: 8:54 - Charlie McAvoy (Slashing - 2 min.); 11:04 - Charlie McAvoy (Tripping - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 8:25 - Dylan Cozens (Roughing - 2 min.); 18:11 - TEAM (Delay of game - 2 min.)
BOS: 8:25 - Connor Clifton (Roughing - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Patrice Bergeron - BOS
2.) Keith Kincaid - BOS
3.) Jakub Zboril - BOS
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What's next:
The Sabres will finish up their four-game homestand on Tuesday night when they welcome the Vancouver Canucks for their lone trip to Downtown Buffalo this season.
Join Mike Schopp and the Bulldog for pregame coverage starting at 6 p.m. EST with puck drop set for 7 p.m. EST on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550.
