Tonight the Sabres looked incredible to start their game, going up 4-0 in the first period, but then collapsing in the third to lose 5-4 at home to the Avalanche.

The Sabres scored first, just 3:22 into the game as Tage Thompson, tipping in a rebound in the crease off a Connor Clifton rip from the point. After a lengthy review on a challenge from Jared Bednar, the goal was determined to be good and we’re up 1-0 and onto the powerplay. We didn’t score on that power play, but about a minute after it expired, Tage cashed in for his second goal of the game, getting past the defense on a give and go with Zucker off the zone entry and snuck the puck past Georgiev to make it 2-0 Sabres. Just eleven seconds later on a one timer right in front of the net from Zach Benson, JJ Peterka made it a 3-0 game only 6:50 into the game. With 8:11 to go in the period, Beck Malenstyn made a nice move right in front of the net after a perfect pass from Aube-Kubel (his first point as a Sabre), putting the Sabres up 4-0 and chasing Georgiev out of the net early. Really an impressive first period for Buffalo, probably our best we’ve seen all season. Not only the goals, but how they’ve pressed on the Avs offensively and limited Colorado offensively, with Buffalo having a 6-0 edge in high danger scoring chances through the first 20 minutes. 

The Avalanche got the first of the second period, as the Nate Dogg capitalized on a turnover and beat Luukkonen with a nice shot in front top right corner to break the shutout and make it 4-1 just 2:24 into the second. Not too bad of a period for Buffalo and especially UPL was fantastic between the pipes.

Colorado scored pretty quick into the third period to cut the 4-0 lead in half just 1:19 into the third, with Joel Kiviranta getting to the perfect spot in front and cashing in on a rebound. They cut it down to just a one goal game with 15:30 left in regulation, with Logan O’Connor getting the loose puck off a rebound under the right circle and beating UPL to make it a 4-3 game. Not a good swing in momentum there, pretty much draining the energy out of the arena. With 12:21 to go in regulation, Colorado tied the game with MacKinnon getting a slight tip on a Rantanen shot and tying the game up at 4-4. With 4:22 left in regulation, the Avalanche took their first lead of the game, coming all the way back as Artturi Lehkonen tipped in a puck with some chaos in front of the net. 

FINAL: Sabres 4, Avalanche 5

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What a fucking pathetic collapse. That’s it.

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