Reimer Strong as Sabres Take Down Jets 5-3

The Buffalo Sabres (28-35-6) came into Canada Life Centre to face the Western Conference-leading Winnipeg Jets on Sunday afternoon (Mar. 23) and weathered a strong Jets attack, winning 5-3.

The Jets (48-19-4), who are coming off of an overtime win over the Edmonton Oilers, lost out on their first chance at clinching a playoff spot on home ice. The loss was largely on the back of the inability to convert chances, and because of an outstanding goaltending performance from James Reimer.

Game Recap

The Sabres opened the scoring just under the halfway mark of the opening frame on a goal from JJ Peterka. He walked into the slot and ripped one past Jets’ netminder Eric Comrie to make it 1-0 on his 22nd goal of the season.

Nino Niederreiter tied things up early in the second period, banging home a power-play goal past Reimer to make it 1-1. It was Niederreiter’s first goal since Feb. 4, snapping a lengthy drought.

The Sabres took a 2-1 lead late in the second period on a blast from Rasmus Dahlin. The goal came on just the seventh shot of the day for the Sabres, who at that point, were being outshot 24-6.

Tyson Kozak, who was born in Souris, Manitoba, put the Sabres up 3-1 with just over 12 minutes left in the third period. His second of the season was cheered loudly by a sizable group of family and friends who were able to attend Kozak’s first game in his home province.

Less than 30 seconds later, Colin Miller brought the Jets back to within one goal on a laser wrist shot from in tight. He roofed it over Reimer to make it 3-2.

The Sabres took a 4-2 lead on a shorthanded tally from Alex Tuch with just under seven minutes left in the third. He managed to get behind two Jets defenders and beat Comrie on the blocker side.