Friday, December 17, 2010

Thomas Vanek Scores Two Goals, Buffalo Finally Wins Season's First Home Game

FanHouse Newswireby FanHouse Newswire

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Thomas Vanek scored his second goal of the game with a minute left in overtime to provide the Buffalo Sabres their first home win of the season in beating the Washington Capitals 3-2 on Saturday night.

Steve Montador also scored, while Ryan Miller stopped 23 shots in his first game after missing six with a hip injury. Jordan Leopold added three assists for Buffalo, which became the NHL's final team to win a home game this season, improving to 1-6-1.

Nicklas Backstrom and Karl Alzner scored for the Capitals, who had a six-game win streak snapped.

Vanek scored on a great individual effort, driving through the middle and getting around Capitals defenseman John Carlson. He then faked a forehand shot before backhanding the puck in behind rookie Braden Holtby.

The Sabres' bench erupted in celebration and then smothered Vanek on the ice. Buffalo (6-9-3) is also starting to heat up, having registered at least a point in each of its past four games (3-0-1) -- a stretch in which all games have been decided in overtime or in a shootout.

After Alzner opened the scoring in 8 minutes in, the Sabres responded to take the lead by scoring twice in the second period.

Montador tied it at 1 midway through the period, when his shot from the right point glanced in off the post and past Holtby, who was screened by Buffalo's Cody McCormick.

 

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