Buffalo Sabres added a lowlight to their rough season during their 5-2 loss to Utah Hockey Club Thursday at the Delta Center.
The sabers, last in the eastern conference, were down 3-2 with just over a minute left in playing time.
Sabre’s head coach Lindy Ruff drew goalkeeper James Reimer from the net in exchange for an extra skater, giving Sabres a six-to-five advantage to try to tie the game.
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Buffalo Sabre’s defender Rasmus Dahlin (26) tries to save a shot from the Utah Hockey Club on an open network during the third period at the Delta Center on March 20, 2025. (Rob Gray-Misted Pictures)
However, Sabre’s Tage Thompson tried to send a pass to defender Rasmsus Dahlin. The pass went wrong when Thompson missed Dahlin and the puck knocked on the boards and went into the back of Sabres’ own net, without any goalkeeper to stop it.
The own goal put Sabres down 4-2. The sabrers then gave up another empty goal to Utah tip Mikhail Sergachev to set the final score of 5-2.
The sabers were down 2-1 into the third period, but Ryan McLEOD took advantage of an Utah revenue and buried a short-handed goal with a fine backhand to tie it up 2-2 at the beginning of the third period.
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Buffalo Sabers Center Ryan McLeod (71) celebrates a goal with right wing Alex Tuch (89) during the third period at the Delta Center on March 20, 2025. (Rob Gray-Misted Pictures)
However, Utah tip Dylan Guenther scored his team leading 25. Goal for the year when he buried a rebound with 5:47 back to play to break a draw and give Utah a lead they would not give up.
While the sabers play more for drafting position at this time than for the playoff position, Utah Hockey Club is on the edge of the Wild Card Race in the Western Conference with 73 points.
Utah Hockey Club celebrates an open goal against Buffalo Sabres during the third period at the Delta Center on March 20, 2025. (Rob Gray-Misted Pictures)
They are four points behind St. Louis Blues (77 points) secondly, but also struggles for the last place with Vancouver Canucks (76 points) and Calgary Flames (75 points).
Utah will look to build on their victory over Sabres as they play Detroit Red Wings on Monday at. 21.00 ET. The sabers seem to jump back from the loss when they play Minnesota Wild at. 14:00 a Saturday.
