Adam Ruzicka cinched the go-ahead goal in an off-kilter shot 4:35 into the third period, driving the Calgary Flames to their unassailable 4-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday evening.
Joining him with scores were Jonathan Huberdeau, Blake Coleman, and Walker Duehr, helping the Flames balance their scorecard at 1-1-1 three matches into their five-game tour of the Eastern teams. Goalkeeper Dan Vladar had an exemplary show with a season debut that boasted 24 saves.
On the Sabres’ frontline, Tage Thompson, JJ Peterka and Erik Johnson responded with counter-scores, but couldn’t impede the Flames, who emerged victorious despite conceding the opener to the Sabres for the third time in four meetings. Sabres’ rookie goalie Devon Levi pulled off 33 saves, but his performance was marked by palpable inconsistency, marred further by the fact that this was his fourth consecutive start this season.
Ruzicka’s decisive goal came off a near goal-line shot that slipped past Levi’s steadfast guard and Duehr amplified Calgary’s advantage with the second goal tearing through Levi’s defenses from the right circle.
The ordeal refracted on the spry, 21-year-old Levi as MacKenzie Weegar heeled a close shot with 11:12 left in the third period, saved narrowly by Levi’s hasty maneuver to halt the puck just inside the post. The officials confirmed the puck didn’t cross the line – a decision that held after a drawn-out review.
The Sabres, stocked with three goalies, hold a candle for Levi who wrapped up the previous season with a 5-2 track record with the Sabres, post his third college season at Northeastern. He however wasn’t offered much defensive support in the match against Flames, leading to a less than stellar Sabres finish under the handicap of a one-man shortfall for the final 67 seconds due to an overpopulation penalty.
Ruzicka’s winning strike got its impetus when Nazem Kadri tipped the scales by appropriating the puck from an untimely swoop by Connor Clifton. And soon, Coleman took the Flames to a 3-2 lead following a blunder on Sabres rookie Zach Benson’s part who couldn’t retain the puck with Dennis Gilbert at bat.
The initial period saw both teams in a fierce trade-off of goals that rounded off with a 2-2 tie. The Flames led the charge, scoring 49 seconds in when Levi failed to gauge the trajectory of a stray rebound. Levi’s floundering attempt was aptly picked up by Huberdeau who slotted the puck off the goalie’s skate. The period drew to an end with Thompson drawing level with his season’s first. It also marked Buffalo’s maiden successful power-play in 11 attempts. Johnson’s score was an icing on the cake.
Post-season, Former goalie Craig Anderson returns to the Sabres in a part-time mentorship role, after hanging up his gloves last season. Boasting a career spanning 20 seasons and 319 wins, the now 42-year-old Anderson aims to lend the young, evolving team his experienced voice.
“In our team’s evolution over the recent seasons, Craig Anderson’s depth of knowledge, unwavering experience, and zeal for the game have been indispensable,” quoted GM Kevyn Adams. “Our players have gained immeasurably from the wisdom and strategies he amassed during his remarkable 20-year run.”
Anderson is all set to collaborate with both the players and coaching staff for the forthcoming endeavors.
The Flames next face Columbus on Friday evening, while the Sabres’ four-game homestay continues with New York Islanders stepping onto their turf Saturday night.
