Buffalo Sabres Screwed Over by Officials in Overtime Loss to Flames
By Paul Taylor
Buffalo Sabres undone by the officials, as they go down 4-3 in overtime to the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Three times the Buffalo Sabres took the lead in Calgary, but on each occasion the Flames came back, before ultimately winning in overtime. However, the Sabres can make an argument that they were let down by the officials on Tuesday night.
The first incident was during the first period, after they had taken the lead through Zemgus Girgensons‘ first goal of the season. With just under four minutes to play in the opening period, the Flames had the tying goal waived off, after the referee appeared to blow his whistle before Michael Frolik scored.
Unfortunately for the Sabres, the officials then got together for a discussion, before overturning their initial decision. Speaking to WGR550 and the rest of the media afterwards, Sabres’ head coach Dan Bylsma discussed what the officials told him.
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Bylsma said: “They had blown the whistle before the puck went in the net, but the puck had not been covered yet. That was just the explanation, but I think it was the right call.
“It’s disappointing for us because they did blow the whistle. As he was batting it in the whistle had gone, but I think it was the right call by them.”
What’s most surprising — and commendable — about this, is how calm Bylsma seemed with the decision. Regardless, the Sabres managed to overcome this potential injustice and regain the lead in the second period, courtesy of Ryan O’Reilly‘s third goal in two games.
Looking to consolidate their advantage, the Sabres were once again undone by the officials just 1:10 into the final period. Michael Ferland latched onto a Marcus Foligno pass that deflected off an official’s skate, before firing home past Robin Lehner.
To his credit, Foligno didn’t let the incident get to him, going down the other end of the ice soon after to once more give the Sabres the lead. However, the Flames finished off an eventful five-minute spell, when 2016 sixth overall draft pick Matthew Tkachuk tied it up at 3-3 with a snap shot, for his first NHL goal.
After that point, the Sabres had no more responses, despite out-shooting the Flames during the third period. Then, any hopes at a second straight win in Alberta were ruined in overtime, by Sean Monahan‘s game-winner.
However, even this was shrouded in some controversy, with Robin Lehner claiming there should have been a penalty before Monahan even had the chance to score. Lehner said: “Has to be a call there. [Monahan] hits [Reinhart] from behind. It’s fairly clear.
“We get judged day by day, I think it was a terrible ref performance today. Terrible. Absolutely terrible.”
As frustrating as the loss must be, especially given the influence of the officials on the outcome, the last thing top players do is make excuses. (Leave that to the media folks!) In that respect, O’Reilly’s analysis of the game spoke volumes.
O’Reilly said: “We were very lucky to get a point. Lehner gave us a chance…besides that, I thought our game was pathetic.
“We were too loose, we didn’t compete. We just wanted an easy game. That’s just embarrassing.”
Showing why he is one of the Sabres’ leaders, the 25-year old didn’t let himself off the hook: “It’s got to start with myself. I had tons of chances, tons of opportunities to create and I didn’t.”
Quick hits:
- Flames’ goalie Chad Johnson had 18 saves in the win against his previous team.
- The Sabres have now lost seven straight games to the Flames in Calgary.
- O’Reilly’s goal gives him an eight-game point-scoring streak on the road.
- Rasmus Ristolainen is currently tied for the NHL lead with five assists.
Next: Sabres make short work of apparent crisis
What’s your take on the officials’ performance in the game? Do you believe they cost the Sabres a point, or is it on the team to overcome their mistakes? Let us know in the comments section below.