Matt Ellis throws a punch at Marc-Andre Bourdon. It was the first NHL fight for both players. AP Photo/Derek Gee

Sabres Bring New Attitude, but Lose in OT

It appears the Sabres are done being pushed around. There were two fights in last night's game against the Flyers, both from players picking up their first NHL fighting major.

At the very end of the first period Corey Tropp had a good fight with Zac Rinaldo. The two went right off the draw. Tropp removed his shield and Rinaldo responded in kind by removing his helmet. They opened up, Rinaldo with the rights and Tropp with the lefts. It was a big ending to the opening period.

Early in the second, Marc-Andre Bourdon boarded Nathan Gerbe. He immediately looked to see who was coming and Matt Ellis was the one to skate over. It wasn't just Ellis' first fight, but Bourdon's as well.

The Sabres are sending the message that they'll stand up for themselves. They're done being run over.

Things were just as wild on the scoreboard. Buffalo jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first only to have the Flyers leading 4-3 at the end of the second. With under two minutes left Drew Stafford tied up the game, sending it to OT. Things didn't end well for the home town crowd when Claude Giroux scored the game winner 2:37 into the extra period. Giroux had 4 points on the night and now leads the league in scoring.

For once, an unlikely suspension

Tim Gleason went right after Andy Sutton after Sutton laid a big hit on Jeff Skinner with a little over two minutes left in the Canes-Oilers game. Gleason picked up an instigator that comes with an automatic game misconduct and suspension due to there being less than five minutes left in the game.

However, in any situation where the fight was not thought to have been premeditated the suspension has been rescinded. As this resulted from a hockey play, it's unlikely Gleason will see any supplementary discipline.

Videos added

Tim Gleason vs Andy Sutton Dec 7, 2011
Marc-Andre Bourdon vs Matt Ellis Dec 7, 2011
Krzysztof Oliwa vs Gordie Dwyer Apr 2, 2000
Colin White vs Peter Worrell Apr 3, 2000
Zac Rinaldo vs Corey Tropp Dec 7, 2011
Troy Brouwer vs Jesse Winchester Dec 7, 2011
Shane O'Brien vs Victor Oreskovich Dec 6, 2011