Columbus, OH (SportsNetwork.com) – Cam Atkinson recorded the winning goal in
the middle portion of the third period, and red-hot Columbus nipped Buffalo by
a 4-2 count at Nationwide Arena.
Nick Foligno, Matt Calvert and Boone Jenner added markers for the Blue
Jackets, who reached the 40-win plateau for the second consecutive season
thanks to their 11th win in the last 12 outings.
Sergei Bobrovsky came up with 23 saves.
Columbus head coach Todd Richards notched his 126th win at the helm, passing
Ken Hitchcock for the most in team history.
Mikhail Grigorenko and Brian Gionta tallied for the Sabres, whose loss
clinched 30th place in the NHL and the best shot at snagging the No. 1 overall
pick in June’s draft.
Anders Lindback stopped 36 shots in defeat as Buffalo reached 50 regulation
defeats for the second consecutive campaign.
Atkinson struck at 10:35 of the third and the Blue Jackets led 3-2, following
up a Dalton Prout rebound and beating Lindback from the right circle.
Buffalo decided on an extra attacker in the final minute-plus and Jenner
removed all doubt of a Sabres comeback with his empty-net marker with 10
seconds to play.
Foligno opened the scoring just 14 seconds after the drop of the puck, by
steaming up the middle and one-timing a loose Brandon Dubinsky centering feed
home.
Grigorenko tied the game at 2:25 on a shot from the right wing after a Gionta
drop pass.
Calvert restored the hosts’ edge at 9:35 with a successful try from the left
circle, then Gionta’s power-play strike inside of a minute left in the second
knotted the game once more.
Game Notes
Bobrovsky extended his point streak to 11 games (10-0-1) matching a career
high … The Blue Jackets also reached 40 wins in 2008-09, taking 41 games en
route to the club’s first playoff appearance … Columbus has won six straight
home games, equaling franchise record set Dec. 26, 2007-Jan. 15, 2008 … Jack
Johnson and David Savard each posted two assists for the victorious hosts …
Prior to the contest, the Sabres recalled defenseman Chad Ruhwedel from
Rochester of the AHL.
