Sabres Losing Continues in Winnipeg
The losing streak continues.
It’s now 11 straight road losses and the Sabres are spiraling out of control and are rapidly dropping in the standings.
The Sabres were handed a 4-1 loss Thursday night in Winnipeg and have now been outscored 46-15 during the past 11 road games.
Ondrej Pavelec turned away 25 of 26 shots, assuring that his team would get the victory. It was yet another tough night in goal for Buffalo. Ryan Miller stopped 29 of 33. The Sabres have now been outscored 15-3 in the past three games.
About midway through the first period, Winnipeg got on the board. Andrew Ladd scored his 16th goal of the season, beating Miller to put the Jets up 1-0.
The Sabres responded in the second period. Nathan Gerbe fed a pass to Drew Stafford, who ripped home his eighth goal of the season, knotting the game at one.
Winnipeg would score the next two goals. Tobias Enstrom scored his fourth goal of the season. Tim Stapelton earned his seventh, putting the Sabres in a 3-1 hole early in the third period.
The Sabres came close to scoring after a shot from Derek Roy was inching its way over the goal line, but Pavelec managed to cover it up and get a whistle.
The Jets finished the Sabres off, holding them to just one goal all game. Nik Antropov beat Miller one final time with just over a minute to go in the game.
The Jets improved to 7-0 at home this season when taking on a team that played the night before.
Last place isn’t far away for Buffalo. The Sabres are just three points ahead of the last place Hurricanes. If they don’t earn a win on this road trip, they could very well be in 15th place by the All-Star break.
Patrick Kaleta left this game with a lower-body injury and did not return. Nathan Gerbe also left the game in the third period and didn’t return.
The Sabres will head to St. Louis to take on the Blues Saturday night.
| Goals by Period | |||||
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Total | |
 |
0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
 |
1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | |
| Shots on Goal | |||||
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Total | |
|
10 | 7 | 9 | 26 | |
|
19 | 11 | 3 | 33 | |
| Scoring Summary: | |||||
| Per | Team | Time | Goal | Primary Assist: | Secondary Assist: |
| 1 | |
11:34 | Andrew Ladd (16) | Ron Hainsey (7) | Kyle Wellwood (18) |
| 2 | |
4:17 | Drew Stafford (8) | Nathan Gerbe (12) | – |
| 2 | |
15:41 | Tobias Enstrom (4) | Bryan Little (11) | Blake Wheeler (24) |
| 3 | |
3:28 | Tim Stapleton (7) | Nik Antropov (17) | Andrew Ladd (8) |
| 3 | |
18:40 | Nik Antropov (6) | Kyle Wellwood (19) | Johnny Oduya (10) |
| Penalty Summary: | ||||
| Per | Team | Player | Penalty | Minutes |
| 1 | |
Mark Stuart | Fighting | 5:00 |
| 1 |  |
Cody McCormick | Fighting | 5:00 |
| 2 | |
Jochen Hecht | Too Many Men on the Ice | 2:00 |
| 2 | |
Jochen Hecht | Goaltender Interference | 2:00 |
| 2 | |
Tim Stapleton | Hooking | 2:00 |
| 3 | |
Nathan Gerbe | Unsportsmanlike Conduct | 2:00 |
| 3 | |
Blake Wheeler | Unsportsmanlike Conduct | 2:00 |
| 3 | |
Derek Roy | Tripping | 2:00 |
| 3 | |
Nik Antropov | Roughing | 2:00 |
| 3 | |
Cody McCormick | Interference | 2:00 |
| Goaltenders: | |||
| Team | Goaltender | Svs-SA | Decision |
|
Ryan Miller | 29-33 | Loss (11-14-2) |
|
Ondrej Pavelec | 25-26 | Win (16-16-5) |
January 20, 2012 - 2:19 AM
good article, kev! it’s always rough to write about a loss but you always do such a great job!