Luongo pushes Buffalo to win with 31 saves
The first Saturday night of Season 20 pits the Champion Senators against the Buffalo Sabres who missed out on the big dance in season 19. Both teams were playing their sixth game in seven nights, with the Sens riding a three game win streak.
The Sabres opened the scoring in this game at the 2:00 mark of the middle period as Tom Wandell(1st) scored on a deflection off a shot by Daniel Paille. The shots through two were 20-20.
In the third Paille(1st) scored to double Buffalo's lead on assists from Wandell and Stephen Gionta at 6:38. The Sens got one back as Keith Yandle(2nd) hammered home a pass from Martin St.Louis, with the second assist going to Corey Perry at 15:08. With less than ninety seconds remaining in regulation Ryan Clowe(3rd) delivered the final blow as he would score on the powerplay at 18:32 to diminish any hope the Sens would have of a come back, and end Otawa's win streak.
Marty Brodeur made 36 saves in the losss, while his counter-part at the other end stopped 31 shots to improve his record to 3-2.
The Sabres are off until Monday when they host the Minnesota Wild (4-1-0-0-1). The Sens hope to get back on track on Monday as well as the travel to Columbus to face Jason Spezza and the (3-1-1-0-0-1) BlueJackets.
MOLSON'S THREE STARS:
1 - Daniel Paille (Buf)........... 1 goal, 1 assist, +2, 5 shots.
2 - Roberto Luongo (Buf)...... 31 saves
3 - Tom Wandell (Buf)........... 1 goal, 1 assist, +2, 2 shots
Reporting For The WCHL Network.......
Peter Puck
