Kyle Turris’ overtime goal lifts Senators past Sabres

Buffalo, NY, United States (4E Sports) – Kyle Turris scored two goals, including a power-play goal in overtime, to carry the Ottawa Senators to a 4-3 triumph over the Buffalo Sabres Saturday at the sold-out First Niagara Center.

With assists from Daniel Alfredsson and Sergei Gonchar, Turris ripped a slapshot from 28 feet that went past Ryan Miller’s blocker 3:54 into the extra period to help the Senators (14-8-6) snap a two-game losing skid.

Patrick Wiercioch and Chris Phillips also scored for the Senators while goaltender Ben Bishop stopped 33 shots after serving as the backup for the last three games.

Gonchar finished with two assists for his 12th of the season while Turris, Guillaume Latendresse, Wiercioch and Alfredsson had one apiece for the Senators.

Forward Drew Stafford scored two goals while defenseman Mike Weber added another for the Sabres, who dropped to 10-14-4 after losing five of their last six games.

Miller, sidelined by a sinus infection Tuesday against the New York Rangers, recorded 30 saves for the Sabres, who were up 2-0 in the first period behind goals by Weber and Stafford.

In the second, Wiercioch scored his fourth goal in six games and Phillips added his fourth of the season to help the Senators tie the game at two goals apiece before Turris put them ahead just before the break.

In the third, Stafford delivered his second goal with assists from Christian Ehrhoff and Jochen Hecht with 7:54 left to tie the game at three apiece.

Forward Matt Kassian, acquired in a trade with the Minnesota Wild Tuesday, played his first game for the Senators. He made his presence felt when he created traffic in front of Miller on Phillips’ goal.

Meanwhile, Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta served the fifth and final game of his suspension for checking New York Rangers forward Brad Richards into the boards from behind on March 3.

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