Postgame Report | Thompson injured in Sabres’ 5-1 loss to Hurricanes
Alexander cloth scored the only goal as the Buffalo Sabers went down 5-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes Wednesday night at the KeyBank Center.
The Sabers had a 13-5 advantage on shots in the third game but failed to stage a comeback.
“They came at us with a lot of energy. They kept it simple. They threw pucks and kept us on our heels,” said Tuch. “We couldn’t stand their pressure. We broke early and if you go down 3-0 against a team like that, frankly, it will be impossible to come back. We dug a hole and couldn’t come back out.”
Sabers coach Don Granato said the team just couldn’t get to their game and rhythm.
“It was a team that was in sync and a team that was out of sync and we were out of sync,” Granato said. “We fought against that and it was the first time in a while that I’ve seen our boys get frustrated and start playing frustrated.”
Sabers All-Star Forward Days Thompson played his final shift at 1:01 in the second period but did not return due to an upper-body injury.
He missed Monday’s practice through injury but was a full participant during Tuesday’s session and Wednesday’s skating session.
Granato did not have an update on Thompson’s status after the game and said a decision has not yet been made on his availability for the All-Star Weekend, which begins Friday in South Florida.
Ukko-Pekka Luukonen made 29 saves at the net against Carolina.
Sebastian Aho, Stefan Noesen, Brent Burns, Derek Stepan and Jordan Martinook each scored once for the Hurricanes. Goalkeeper Antti Raanta stopped 29 shots.
Heading into the break, the Sabers have 56 points from 50 games and are currently one point behind the Penguins, who hold the second wildcard spot.
“This group has done a good job up to this point in the schedule,” said Granato. “They deserve where we are. We’re in a very good situation. That was my message to the team after the game.”
How it happened
PERIOD 1
Carolina beat Buffalo 17-9 and led 3-1 into the dressing room at the end of the opening period.
The Hurricanes capitalized on a power play opportunity after 2:35 into the game when Teuvo Teravainen found Aho on the doorstep to put Carolina first on the board.
The Canes went 2-0 up after a tic-tac-toe game in front of the net and Noesen picked up his ninth win of the season with 9:55 left.
Carolina extended their lead to three with a goal from Burns by 7:13.
With 5:15 left at halftime, Tuch went ahead to put the Sabers on the goalscoring list.
Video: [email protected]: Tuch shoots from the circle into the corner
PERIOD 2
Buffalo successfully killed a penalty thereafter Tyson Jost was called to rough out at the 6:57 mark but failed to capitalize on his only power play of the period.
Luukkonen looked sharp at the net, stopping 12 shots.
PERIOD 3
Zemgus Girgensons drew a penalty 46 seconds after the last frame. Buffalo generated several shots but couldn’t find the back of the net.
The Sabers held Carolina without a shot until the 6:05 mark and recorded eight shots of their own in that span.
Stephan ran around Luukkonen to make it a three-goal game with 9:30 left.
Tuch then almost scored his second goal of the evening after ripping a shot off the goal post.
Martinook capped things off with an empty goal.
What we learned
1. The Sabers hosted their first-ever Choose Love Night, which brought the spotlight to the black community and local black-owned businesses.
Video: Select Open Love Night Video
The team wore special Choose Love pre-match jerseys, which fans can bid on now until February 8th Sabers.com/Auction. Proceeds benefit Persistence Preparatory Academy and Agents for Advocacy.
2. Jeff Skinner played in his 900th career game and became the 63rd active skater to appear in 900 NHL games.
According to Sabers PR, Skinner is the 526th skater in NHL history to appear in 900 or more games.
3. Tuch has scored 44 points (17+27) in their last 35 games, including 10 points (4+6) in their last nine games.
Next
Buffalo will head into the NHL All-Star hiatus, followed by its mandatory bye week.
The Sabers have 56 points from 50 games and are currently one point behind the Penguins, who hold the second wild card spot.
After the break, the Sabers return home on February 11 when the Calgary Flames visit the KeyBank Center for a Saturday matinee.
MSG coverage begins at noon. The puck drops at 12:30 p.m. on MSG and WGR 550. Tickets are now available.
