Dec 05, 2013 | Jeff Domangue | 596 views
Sabres Struggle For Metaphor To Describe Win Over Thrashers, 5-4
In a back-and-forth battle that kept the crowd on its feet with Ooos, Aaahs, and even a Where Is Their Goalie Going?, the Ancaster Sabres narrowly squeaked by the Thrashers with a 5-4 on a late third period goal by center Zachary.
The first period was all about offense, and the Sabres charged out of the gate early, led by Tobin at center, with wingers Jack and Cole pressing the attack deep into the Thrashers zone. Backed up by a rare occurrence - three full offensive lines, the Sabres notched their first goal at 7:24 with a blast from Zachary, and Thomas would add a solo shot two minutes later. Their celebration would be short-lived, though, as the Thrashers rocketed past a stunned Sabres crew with three late 1st-period goals of their own, scored by three separate Thrashers in a jaw-dropping span of only one minute and thirty-four seconds.
Determined to put the Sabres back on top, the defense gritted their teeth and stepped up the intensity. On the forecheck, Michael and Nathaniel were instrumental in keeping the puck in the offensive zone and giving their forwards the chance for some payback. Braeden and Harry added some offensive pressure from the blueline, driving deep into Thrashers territory alongside new winger Kyle. Andrew kept the pressure on the net with lightning fast charges through a now-beleaguered Thrashers goalie, who gave up a solo goal at 1:04, and then again 30 seconds later, when Mark connected with a quick pass in front of the net to Zachary, grabbing the assist and putting the Sabres back up by one goal, 4-3.
Although he had answered the call through two periods with flashy kick-saves and lighting-fast stick work, rookie netminder would find the Call of Nature irresistable in the third period, temporarily leaving the Sabres ill-equipped to stop the Thrashers from scoring on his "backup" Thomas; looking lonely and confused, but making a game attempt to block a low shot on net. Now tied at 4-4, it was anyone's guess as to how this contest would end.
Back in net and skating much more lightly, Xavier would stonewall every Thrashers attempt for the next six minutes with the help of Nathan, an athletic defender who absolutely stymied the Thrashers' scoring chances in the third period with multiple sliding blocks and tenacious backchecking, pushing their forwards out to the corners and smothering pass attempts.
Zachary would seal the deal with an assist from Daniel, who found the rangy center with a pass that secured the win for his team, bringing the final score to 5-4. Making his accomplishment double-sweet, this was also Daniel's first career point! Congratulations, Daniel and to all the Sabres and the Thrashers on an exciting and entertaining game!