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National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Florida 5, Buffalo 4
When: 7:30 PM ET, Thursday, March 28, 2013
Where: BB&T Center, Sunrise, Florida
Referees: Wes McCauley, Kyle Rehman
Linesmen: Michel Cormier, Pierre Racicot
Attendance: 17044

Panthers 5, Sabres 4 (SO): Mike Santorelli scored in the fourth round of the shootout with a forehand deke to help host Florida snap a three-game losing streak.

Shawn Matthias tallied twice while rookie Jonathan Huberdeau snapped a nine-game goal-scoring drought and added an assist for the Panthers, who improved to 2-8-2 against Northeast Division opponents. Tomas Fleischmann also scored and rookie Jacob Markstrom made 36 saves.

Drew Stafford had a goal and an assist for Buffalo, which skated to a 4-3 shootout victory over Florida on Feb. 28. Nathan Gerbe, defenseman Andrej Sekera and rookie Marcus Foligno also scored while Ryan Miller stopped 36 shots.

Captain Jason Pominville opened the shootout by skating in slowly on the right side and beating Markstrom with a wrist shot. Huberdeau tied it in the second round as the puck barely crossed the goal line, and Santorelli buried the puck into an open net to win it after Miller missed on a poke check.

Matthias opened the scoring 3:28 into the game and Fleischmann doubled the advantage on a power play 43 seconds into the second period. Buffalo responded with three straight goals to take a 3-2 lead into the final 20 minutes of regulation, but Huberdeau sent the game to overtime with 6:09 remaining while Steve Ott served a tripping penalty.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Eight of Buffalo’s last 14 games have extended beyond regulation. … Officials initially ruled Huberdeau had not scored on his shootout attempt, but replays showed the puck hitting the knob of Miller’s stick and crossing the line. … Foligno scored on the power play, giving the Sabres at least one goal with the man advantage in five of their last six games. Buffalo finished 1-for-4 on the power play, while the Panthers were 2-for-5.
Top Game Performances
 
Buffalo   Florida
Drew Stafford 2 Points Shawn Matthias 2
Drew Stafford 1 Goals Shawn Matthias 2
Drew Stafford 1 Assists Brian Campbell 2
Marcus Foligno 1 Power Play Goals Jonathan Huberdeau 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Ryan Miller .900 Save Percentage Jacob Markstrom .900
Ryan Miller 36 Saves Jacob Markstrom 36
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Buffalo 40 4 1-4 3-5 12 27
Florida 40 5 2-5 3-4 10 35
Upcoming Games
  • Florida will play their next game at home against New Jersey. The Panthers have a W/L % of .222 after a win and .280 after a loss.
  • Buffalo will play their next game at home against Washington. The Sabres have a W/L % of .462 after a win and .300 after a loss.