Feb 03, 2014 | Jeff Domangue | 801 views
Leafs Fall to Sabres, 8-2
Just as these two teams’ contest began in the first game of the year, the third meeting between the Sabres and the Leafs ended the regular season in style, bookending the year with victories for the Boys in Black.
It was a high-scoring affair, belied by the number of shots blocked by a very talented Leafs goalie, who rejected all comers until late in the first period, when the Sabres went up 1-0 on a high shot from Thomas on the right wing. Center Zachary would add his own goal with mere seconds left in the period, ending it 3-0.
Not to be left out of the fun, Tobin was a constant presence in the slot, blasting in a goal of his own in the second period, while Mark buzzed around the net looking for a puck to steal. Cole tried his hand at center, holding his own on the faceoff and putting offensive pressure on a beleaguered Leafs defense. Jack exploded on offense, taking multiple rushes downtown and setting up shop in front of the net, patiently waiting for a rebound to pounce upon. Xavier’s savvy forechecking paid off handsomely, as he shut down a Leafs breakout attempt, blasting a low shot through the five hole as the goalie slid from left to right.
This game, Defense Dominated. With only two pairs of blueliners, Kyle, Nathan, Michael and Harry gave it their all, craftily shortening their shifts to ensure everyone had the legs to go the distance. With brilliant backchecking, breakaways were few and scoring opportunites smothered before they could fully develop.
Between the pipes, veteran goalie Braeden put on a netminding clinic, with superior positioning, flashy glove work and precise rebound control, keeping the clock running and the breakouts humming along. Like a circus ringmaster, he was the center of yet another successful outing for the Sabres and looks to be the Novice Division’s goalie to beat, going into the playoffs.