Sometimes hockey is a game of bounces. The Sabres got a lucky bounce off and as a result, the Sabres beat the Canes 2-1 in overtime to force a game 7 in the ECF.

The Sabres scored first on a goal by JP Dumont and could have had at least 3 more if not for the outstanding goaltending by Ward. He was superb in the first two periods and then the Canes took it to the Sabres.

Ryan Miller was also great in this game and the Canes forced the overtime when Bret Hedican shot one top shelf behind Miller with only 3:51 left in regulation. Miller may have gone down a little too soon on that one and Hedican notched the equalizer.

The Sabres were awarded a powerplay a little over 2 minutes into the sudden death when Doug Weight hauled down Jason Pominville. That set up the game winner by Briere at 4:22 into overtime.

The Sabres threw everything they could at Ward in the first period, and came away with only one goal. Buffalo was outhitting, outshooting and out-chancing the Canes in most of the period and could have easily had a 5-0 lead going into the second if it hadn't been for the spectacular goaltending by Ward. He allowed the Canes to stay in the game and finally, with just 3:53 remaining in the third period Bret Hedican roofs a shot to tie it all up.

"They tied the game and I wasn't even nervous," admitted Briere after the game. "It wasn't a big deal in the dressing room before overtime. The guys were relaxed. We played so well, the guys knew we were going to get a bounce. I don't know how to explain it. I was confident we'd find a way to get it done."

A lot of teams would have been devastated at that point, but the Sabres took a deep breath and were determined to not let yet another lead slip by them and result in a loss. A Doug Weight penalty in the overtime period allowed the Sabres to set up the winning goal and even if it wasn't the picture perfect goal, the Sabres would take it and run all the way to Raleigh with it.

Now anything can happen in a seventh game and the Sabres believe they have the chemistry, the drive and maybe even the luck to pull this one off.

This amazin' season just keeps going! Behind the 8 ball and now having to play with just 4 defensemen, the Sabres displayed more resiliency than even in beating the Category 5 Hurricanes in overtime. The Sabres, with Teppo Numminen giving it a go but sitting out most of the game, were left with 4 veteran defensemen and one rookie, who only saw 10 minutes of play.
Briere's fortunate goal capped off a wild night at HSBC Arena and the fans certainly got their money's worth.

Briere reminds a lot of people of Pat LaFontaine. While Briere is of French Canadian ancestry and Pat is a true blue American, the two have a lot of similarities, both in stature and how they play. LaFontaine's number was retired earlier this season for his talents both on and off the ice. Briere may be following in LaFonatine's footsteps.

His overtime goal came at the perfect time for the worn out defense. With just two pairs of defensemen playing the majority of the game, the longer the overtime went, the more exhausted they would become. Briere's goal just 4:22 into the overtime was a sight for some very sore defensemen's eyes.

"We wanted to show everybody we're not a bunch of quitters," Briere told the media after his game winning goal. "We wanted a chance at Game 7."

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