The Tampa Bay Lightning kept catching up but just couldn’t grab a lead as they struggled against the Sabres. The Bolts defense could not stop the Sabres from scoring as soon as they had tied the game. As for the Sabres, they kept fighting back when they needed too and never let the Bolts get in front. Despite all the struggles for the Sabres this season they played a decent game and got their offense rolling. Let’s take a look at how we got here period by period.

First Period

The Bolts got off to a good start this one as they got some big chances early in the period. However, it was the Sabres who got on the board first as Nicholas Baptiste got one past Domingue to put the Sabres up 1-0. Not much later Scott Wilson was then called for closing his hand on the puck and would receive 2 minutes in the box. The Bolts got right to work as Yanni Gourde tipped one in front of the net to tie the game at 1. The Bolts continued to put on some pressure as they were in the offensive zone. Just a few min latter Zemgus Girgensons would head to the box for tripping and give the Bolts their second power play of the night. Unfortunately, the Bolts would not be able to convert on this power play and the score would remain tied at 1. Neither team got any other big chances for the rest of the period but Slater Koekkoek would take a high sticking penalty right at the end of the period so the power play would carry over to the second.

Goals: 1-1

Shots: 14-9

Second Period

With the Bolts starting on the PK the Sabres jumped on the attack quickly. Just a min and 16 seconds into the period Sam Reinhart rifled one home to give the Sabres a one-goal lead. almost immediately after that penalty was over the Bolts took a too many men on the ice call putting them back on the PK. Luckily for the Bolts, this time they were able to kill it off. Both teams would then go back and forth battling it out but neither could find the back of the net. The Sabres then put themselves in a bit of a sticky situation as Johan Larsson took a slashing penalty and just 7 seconds later Zemgus Girgensons took another tripping call. During this 5 on 3, it was all Chad Johnson as he stopped everything the Bolts threw his way and they would not be able to capitalize on a huge opportunity. The Bolts kept pushing through and as Chad Johnson tried to play the puck, Vladdy stole it right in front of the net and tapped it in to tie the game. Just a few minutes later though the Sabres got right back on the offensive push and Scott Wilson ripped one past Domingue to make it 3-2 Sabres. Despite tying the game the Bolts would head into the third down by 1 as time would expire in the second.

Goals: 3-2 Buffalo

Shots: 23-21 Tampa Bay

Third Period

Buffalo Came out with a purpose in the third and it paid off. The Bolts got an early penalty as Jake Dotchin was called for slashing wich sent Buffalo to the power play. Just a min into the man advantage Ryan O’Reilly would take a shot that went right past Domingue to make it 4-2 Sabres. The Bolts would then get one last power play chance as Kyle Okposo was called for tripping. Unfortunately, the Bolts could not take advantage and Buffalo was able to kill it off. The Bolts kept pushing and it was Ryan Callahan who put one in the back of the net to make it a 4-3 hockey game. Both teams would go back and forth but the defenses stood tall and kept the score at 4-3. The Bolts would then pulled their goalie for one last shot, but it was Sam Reinhart who put it in the empty net to make it 5-3 Sabres.

Goals: 5-3 Buffalo

Shots 33-29 Buffalo

3 Stars

1. Ryan O’Reilly (1G, 2A)
2. Sam Reinhart (2G)
3. Yanni Gourde (1G)

Up Next and Final Strike

The Bolts played another bad game tonight as this is a team they should have been able to beat. The defense was not able to hold them and you can not miss on 5 on 3 opportunities, especially when they are almost the full 2 min. The Bolts love to hit these random road bumps were they start losing to teams they shouldn’t. With that said I still expect the Bolts to bounce back soon as this was not the normal Bolts team we like to see.

The Bolts will look to stop the bleeding as they get set to take on the Detroit Red Wings Thursday, February 15th at 7:30PM EST.