The Sabres event crew showed videos and photo montages from the Winter Classic; a full house was on hand primed for a big night for the Sabres.

Unfortunately the end result was another Sabres loss, their fifth in a row, and the team is quickly dropping in the standings, with a tough tough three game road trip now staring them in the face.

The team played a lackluster and uninspiring first period, with Ottawa scoring on their first shot on goaltender Ryan Miller. Andrew Peters and Brian McGrattan dropped the gloves early and had at it, with Peters getting the worst of it. The Sabres managed to kill off a penalty in the first, but Ottawa made it 2-0 on their second man advantage early in the second period.

Ottawa made it 3-0 midway through the second period on a goal by Jason Spezza, and that was enough to chase Ryan Miller out of the net in favor of Jocelyn Thibault. Ales Kotalik answered with Buffalo’s first tally just seconds later, and the second period ended 3-1 in favor the Senators.

The building finally came to life in the second half of third period, as Jochen Hecht scored his team leading 14th goal of the season on the power play. Two minutes later Michael Ryan banked in a goal from an impossible angle to tie the score at three. Buffalo started pouring it on with their best effort fo the night, peppering goalie Ray Emery with shots and scoring opportunities.
“We actually got started up in the seconded period”, said defenseman Jaroslav Spacek after the game.

Michael Ryan described the tying goal which came in from a very bad angle. “Staff did a great job just creating the offensive pressure. He got it over to me and I just threw it up at the net. It wasn’t the prettiest goal but I was sure glad to see it go in. Actually I thought Gaus (Paul Gaustad) got it.” Ryan also admitted that the coming road trip might be the tonic the team needs right now. “Yeah with all the distractions with last Tuesday’s game it has to have had an effect. Different scenery may just do us a world of good, get away for a while.”

Back to the game…Ottawa would go ahead with less than five minutes to go on a one timer by Danny Heatley from the top of the face off circle to take a 4-3 lead. Daniel Alfredsson made it 5-3 a couple minutes later, and that sent fans scurrying for the exits.

That would be it for the scoring, and the boo birds let the Sabres hear it when the final horn sounded.

After the game Lindy Ruff talked about the little things that cost the team the game - passing instead of taking shots, Ryan Miller’s poor play on two of the goals (”He wishes he could have them back”), messing up in little areas. “We’re gonna be in a dogfight. We need to be better in all areas” said Ruff. “I don’t think they got a shot in 14, 15 minutes before they took that one
that gave them the 4-3 lead.”

Daniel Paille took a big hit from Anton Volchenkov in the first period and did not return. I ran into Paille as he was heading out. He was in street clothes and didn’t look any worse for the wear. “He took a big hit and he’s sore right now” said Ruff. My guess is he won’t be sidelined for too long.

The Sabres hit the road for three games (including Tuesday at New Jersey, and the USRT will be in the building!), before returning home next Saturday to face those same Devils.

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