For the second game in a row, and the 5th time this season, the Sabres came from behind to tie a game and force overtime Thursday night in Boston. This time, they overcame a 3-goal deficit in less than half a period and tied the game with a minute and a half remaining.

Once again, the Sabres averted a regulation loss and beat the Bruins in a shootout. It was the 4^th shootout win of the season for Buffalo. The game before against the Atlanta Thrashers, the Sabres loss their first game, yet another come-from-behind game where the Sabres scored in the last minute to tie. This time, however, the Thrashers scored in the shootout and the Sabres were blanked.

The Sabres have not had many games that they played the full 60 minutes. In Boston, they were off their game for 51 minutes before they played desperation hockey to tie it. One has to wonder just how good this team could be if they played 60 minutes for most of their games. They seem to be able to turn on the switch at a moment’s notice. However, if they get into a habit of falling behind with the thought that they can always comeback, it is bound to hurt them.

Sabres fans are almost starting to take them for granted. Down 3 goals with 9 minutes left, a few fans expected the Sabres to come back and tie the Boston Bruins.

Many fans must have thought that with the Sabres were playing flat all game, they would not come back. Some turned off the game and went to bed early, only to be shocked that the Sabres had come back to win.

To the surprise of many who turned their TVs back on, Maxim Afinogenov, who had been playing like a Gilbert Perreault on steroids all night, scored a goal to get the Sabres within 1 goal! Now this was going to get interesting. Ales Kotalik scored with about 2 minutes left to send the game to overtime.

Buffalo had a powerplay for 2 minutes during the OT and one would think they would end it there. They were swarming all over Thomas, the Bruins goalie, but couldn't score. Then came yet another shootout for the Sabres. Daniel Briere scored for the Sabres and Ryan Miller stopped the first shooter, but allowed one on the second shot. Then it was Kotalik who scored the game winner. This is a game that rivaled the Buffalo Bills Miracle Comeback against Houston in the early 90s.

Can the Sabres keep this momentum up all season? That’s the big question around the NHL these days. They are sure to go through some slumps this season, but the main goal should be to end the regular season with the most points for home ice advantage throughout the playoffs.

Peca’s Leafs and fans invade Buffalo

Open up the gates, and the Customs Booths! The Sea of Blue & White is returning to Buffalo! While some question as to how many fans will be wearing the Blue & White as opposed to the Blue & Gold, it is certain that the Leafs fans will make up a big chunk of the crowd tonight as the Sabres and Leafs lock horns for the first time this season at HSBC Arena.

Tickets are a very hard item to come by this year. The Sabres have sold something close to 15,000 season tickets and it is projected that every game will be sold out this season. That said, there are a number of season ticket holders from Canada who buy season tickets just for the chance to see some Leafs games and other Canadian teams play in Buffalo. They still may be Sabres fans for the most part, except when the Leafs come to town.

Former Sabres Captain Michael Peca makes his first appearance in Buffalo in a Leafs jersey. The Toronto native married a Buffalo girl and lives in East Amherst close to Scotty Bowman, Dave Andreychuk and Harry Neal. He will have friends and family in the audience tonight as he tries to help his Leafs had Buffalo its first regulation loss tonight.

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