Sabres Come Up Short, Drop Game to Stars 4-3

Monday morning started on a somber note for Buffalo Sabres fans as news spread quickly that Thomas Vanek had been traded. He was one of only a few players left on the Sabres who was considered a veteran and he was the captain, no one thought he would have been traded so early in the season. He went to the New York Islanders in return for draft picks and a player named Matt Moulson. The struggling Sabres needed something to change so management thought this would be it. Just by him coming here, Moulson had the most goals so far this season with 6.

On a happier note for Buffalo fans was the return of long time coach and player Lindy Ruff. Ruff was fired last February and found a home in Dallas. He was honored for his play and memorable coaching moments during the first intermission and drew a standing ovation, the first one this season for the Sabres faithful.

The first period looked promising for the Sabres as they seemed to be playing their best game so far this season. They were skating well and keeping pace with Dallas, something that has not been seen often. Dallas was able to get on the board first with a goal by Vernon Fiddler at 2:59. This one goal advantage would be short lived as newcomer Moulson would get the opportunity to score his first as a Sabres just 27 seconds later. That would be the end for the Sabres in the first period however, as they let Dallas score two more goals, one from Alex Goligoski and the other from Tyler Seguin, late in the first to go up 3-1.

The second period started just as bad as the first one ended and the Sabres let in yet another goal putting them down 4-1 with half the second period and half the game gone. Dallas captain Jamie Benn would be the one to deliver the final blow this game, or so we Sabres fans thought. Just two minutes later, a power play goal would be scored by Sabres captain Steve Ott and pull them within 2. With his second goal of the night, Moulson was able to bring the Sabres within one towards the end of the second.

The third period would see many chances for both teams with neither being able to get the puck behind the goalies. This period would see the most penalty minutes though with penalties assessed for fighting and roughing as the teams started getting tired of just hitting each other. Dallas was able to hold on to the one goal lead and went on to win 4-3.

Buffalo’s heads to New York to take on the Rangers on Halloween night and Dallas continues their road trip with a game against the Montreal Canadiens tomorrow night.