Christian Ehrhoff wears the "C" for the game. Hecht wore it in pregame ceremony.
The Sabres enter today's final preseason game with a 4-1-1 record. They have been impressive in their two wins over Toronto, and in their Carolina and Montreal victories. Regulation loss to Columbus and Washington shootout loss were not stinkers.
Sabres blitz former NHLer, Fred Brathwaite, in period one. Shots from all angles create great scoring chances.
Sabres resist the temptation to get cute in the extra ice margins along the walls. They are taking the puck up the middle of the ice and directly to Brathwaite's door step. The Mannheim D are being outworked and out muscled to loose pucks by Buffalo forwards.
Yannic Seidenberg, brother of Boston Bruin, Dennis, scores on Enroth in the opening minute of the second period.
4-1 Buffalo early second period.
Brad Boyes scores 90 seconds later.
4-2 Buffalo
Sifers rifles home Glumac's cross-box pass.
5-2 Buffalo
Christian Ehrhoff launches a point bomb on Adler''s backup goalie, Bruckmann.
Gragnani is working #1 PP point with Ehrhoff. Vanek, Pominville and Adam are the #1 PP unit. Great puck movement and quick decisions.
6-2 Buffalo
Vanek or Adam?
Sabres score another PPG
Vanek got credit in house, however, the shot appeared to have kissed off the stick of Mannheim D, in which case, Adam would get credit for the goal. His second feather in his cap of the day.
The Sabres will conclude an otherwise successful preseason segment this afternoon at 1:30 at SAP Arena in Mannheim.
Jhonas Enroth will get the net for the full game. Jochen Hecht will sit this one out with his bad bean. Hecht has been suffering from concussion symptoms and his status is being evaluated day to day. Hecht was hit in the head by Shaone Morrisonn in a Sabres practice in late August. Hecht has skated in a non-contact capacity the past four days.
Lindy Ruff and his coaching staff are pleased with the 4-1-1 preseason record of the Sabres.
Ruff has found success while rolling his four lines and rotating his seven D in this training camp. He's done so by mixing and matching vets with kids his his forward trios and D pairings.
The Sabres have gotten balanced scoring through the first five games. The new acquisitions, Ehrhoff, Leino, and Regehr, have looked rock solid. Ehrhoff leads the team in preseason scoring with 5 points in his 4 games. The vets--- Vanek, Pominville, Gaustad, Kaleta, Stafford, Myers, Leopold--- have contributed nicely at both ends of the rink. The kids have been great. Adam, Gerbe, and Ennis all have played well.
Special teams have been imnpressive. The PP (16.6%) and PK (86.4%) have been outstanding.
Miller and Enroth have been outstanding in the four by six, allowing 12 goals in six games. The team have scored 15. +3 goal differential.
Add it all up and it appears as though the Sabres are about to dart out of the starting gate with good health, excellent work habits, and a wealth of depth in talent. The one variable that thye Sabres bring to the table that most other teams lack is the braintrust behind the bench when you consider how Ruff, Patrick, and Adams positively reinforce the fundamentals. Having Teppo's eyes in the sky have been beneficial for the D corps.
Luke Adam is still in Buffalo camp and its looking like he will be staying put in Buffalo.
The Sabres have 14 forwards left in camp, including Adam, Matt Ellis, Brad Boyes, and Jochen Hecht. The injury to Hecht gives creates an opportunity for Adam as Buffalo only one extra body in camp, however, it looks like Hecht will not be available to play in the immediate future. Boyes returns to the lineup tonight after sitting out the last two exhibition games for the suspension he was handed for the head hit on Toronto's Joe Colborne.
The Sabres can opt to send Ellis to Rochester and keep Adam in Buffalo, or, they can send Adam to the Amerks and keep Ellis in Buffalo. Adam has earned the right to stick and stay in Buffalo. He thrives 5 on 5, plays PK, and is a playmaker on the PP. He has over-delivered in terms of his on ice and off ice development this Summer. The kid busted his ass and made a strong impression in rookie camp at Niagara University. He stuck around Buffalo, lifted weights and worked out in July and August. He wore the "C" and led histroops to the championship at the Traverse City Rookie Tourney.
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