Leafs Collapse In Third, Dropping First Game Of Home-And-Home To Sabres
Posted March 23, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
In what was surely their most disappointing loss of the season, the Toronto Maple Leafs helplessly watched a 4-1 lead, and likely their playoff hopes, dissolve during a disastrous third period on Friday night in Buffalo .
The Buds looked to be well on their way to a huge road win, but the determined Sabres scored four unanswered goals in less than 10 minutes to spoil the party.
Drew Stafford snapped a third-period tie, Thomas Vanek had two goals and an assist and the Buffalo Sabres silenced the throngs of Leaf fans who traveled over the border to cheer their team on.
Daniel Briere and Jason Pominville also netted crucial goal for the Sabres, who have now won four of their past five games following a four-game losing streak.
Boyd Devereaux scored twice, Matt Stajan had a goal and an assist and Bryan McCabe also scored for the Buds.
The Leafs remain stuck in 11 th place in the Eastern Conference, two points behind Carolina for the eighth and final playoff position.
The game marked the return of Toronto defenceman Tomas Kaberle, who hadn’t dressed since being checked into the boards on a late hit by New Jersey ‘s Cam Janssen on March 2.
He recorded one assist.
The two teams will meet again on Saturday night in Toronto .
