Sabres stage mammoth comeback
By: John Kucko
Updated: March 19, 2008
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Thomas Vanek and Jochen Hecht scored twice during Buffalo's six-goal third period, capping the Sabres' 7-4 comeback victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night.
Jason Pominville had two goals and two assists and the Sabres scored six times on their final 10 shots to overcome a 4-1 deficit. Derek Roy had a goal and two assists and Drew Stafford set up three goals in helping Buffalo inch within a point of Philadelphia for the Eastern Conference's eighth and final playoff berth.
The Sabres overcame a three-goal deficit for the first time since a 5-4 victory against Toronto on March 23, 2007. And it marked their third come-from-behind victory against the Lightning this season. Buffalo rallied from a pair of two-goal deficits, including a 4-3 overtime victory on Feb. 20.
The Sabres swept the four-game series against Tampa Bay, with Vanek producing three game winners.
Vincent Lecavalier scored twice, including his 39th of the season, for the Lightning, the East's last-place team, which had a three-game winning streak snapped.
Down 4-1, the Sabres scored four times in an eight-minute span, with Vanek putting the Sabres ahead for good with 6:46 remaining. Roy set up the play by beating defender Shane O'Brien to the puck in the right corner, and feeding Vanek in the high slot.
Vanek sidestepped Junior Lessard, and snapped a low shot that sneaked inside the right post past screened goalie Karri Ramo.
