Buffalo, NY (Sports Network) - Maxim Afinogenov scored a goal and added a
career-high four assists, as the Buffalo Sabres crushed the Philadelphia
Flyers, 9-1, at HSBC Arena.
Thomas Vanek added two goals and two assists while Chris Drury scored his
seventh goal of the season for Buffalo, which netted six goals in the second
period en route to a dominating victory.
Ryan Miller made 37 saves for the Sabres, who have won their first six games
of the season and are looking to surpass the team record for consecutive wins
to start a campaign, which was eight, set in 1975-76.
Derek Roy also tallied twice for the Sabres, who defeated the Flyers in six
games in the first round of last season's playoffs.
Robert Esche made his second start of the season between the pipes for
Philadelphia and was torched for nine goals on 37 shots.
"Esche played great and did a good job, this loss was not on Esche," said
Philadelphia head coach Ken Hitchcock. "We win as a team and lose as a team."
Jeff Carter scored the lone goal for the Flyers, who have lost three straight
and have just one win on the season.
After a scoreless first period, the Sabres scored 37 seconds into the second
to take a 1-0 lead. Inside the right point, Teppo Numminen centered the puck
in front to Vanek, who tucked the puck past Esche and inside the right post
for the goal.
Buffalo increased its lead to 3-0 scoring two power-play goals separated by
just 1:13 on a two-man advantage in the second.
From the lower left circle, Daniel Briere made a pass up to Jaroslav Spacek in
the high slot and his one-timer sailed past a screened Esche at the 10:10
mark.
Still on the power play, the Sabres scored at the 11:23 mark as Briere's shot
from the slot was stopped by Esche, but a wide open Drury at the left side of
the net slammed the rebound past Esche to make it 3-0.
The onslaught continued in the second as Buffalo made it 4-0 on Roy's first
goal of the season at 14:56.
"It's totally embarrassing - you can't blame the goalie," said Peter Forsberg.
"We gave up (many) odd man rushes. We have a long way to go."
With 3:28 left in the middle session, Henrik Tallinder's heavy slap shot from
the point beat Esche high on his stick side to make it 5-0.
The Sabres continued to pile it on as Afinogenov made an end-to-end rush on
the power play and went backhand to forehand and lifted the puck past Esche on
his stick side to give the Sabres a commanding 6-0 lead with 2:34 left in the
second.
Carter finally got the Flyers on the board scoring 1:22 into the final frame
on a slap shot from the right circle that beat Miller top shelf on the right
side.
Just 24 seconds after Carter's tally, Roy netted his second goal of the game
and Jiri Novotny and Vanek followed with goals to cap the scoring.
Philadelphia had the opportunity to strike first after Mike Richards was
awarded a penalty shot 12:10 into the opening period. However, Richards failed
to even get a shot off on the chance.
