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Stafford hat trick, Ennis' SO winner gets Sabres past Bruins

Jan 2, 2011 - 6:38 AM Buffalo, NY (Sports Network) - Tyler Ennis netted the winning goal in the shootout and Drew Stafford notched his second hat trick in the last 17 days, as Buffalo topped Boston, 7-6, at HSBC Arena.

Stafford's goal with 27.8 seconds left in regulation was the equalizer and accounted for his fourth career hat trick. He had three goals in a 3-2 home win over the Bruins December 15.

Jason Pominville added a pair of goals and two assists for the Sabres, who have posted back-to-back victories. Thomas Vanek added a goal and a helper, while Ryan Miller overcame a shaky first period and stopped 34 shots in all.

Tyler Seguin and Zdeno Chara each had a goal and an assist for Boston, which has lost two straight since a three-game win streak. Tuukka Rask gave up three goals on 16 shots in the first period before being relieved by Tim Thomas. He allowed three goals on 19 shots over the remainder of regulation.

On the tying goal, Thomas was screened by Vanek and fell down on Steve Montador's shot from above the left circle. Stafford was stationed to the left of the net and stuffed the rebound by Thomas.

Nearly a minute into OT, Stafford cut through the right circle to the net, but was tripped up by Thomas. Miller made five saves in OT, while the Sabres weren't credited with a shot.

Stafford and Vanek both scored in the shootout, while Michael Ryder and Seguin each potted goals in the extra session to set up the finish. Ennis faked Thomas to get the netminder to commit and then lifted the left-handed shot high into the cage. Chara then missed wide left of the net.

"That was an unbelievable game how it went back and forth," Stafford said. "I'm just getting good breaks, going to the net and getting some pretty good shots off. I'll take it."

The teams combined for four goals in the first 5:36 with Ference, Dennis Seidenberg and Brad Marchand tallying for Boston, while Pominville had one for Buffalo.

Vanek's backhand shot drew Buffalo within 3-2 at 13:45, but Chara scored shorthanded just 30 seconds later. Stafford then netted his first of the night in the closing minute of the period by poking it into the net at the right post.

Stafford then tied the game 6:17 into the second on a right circle blast and Pominville's second of the evening, off the right skate of Seidenberg, came on the power play for a 5-4 Buffalo edge.

Seguin netted the equalizer 3:08 into the third on a one-timer from the right circle and Steven Kampfer's second career goal, off a deflection four minutes later, put Boston ahead.

"We did a lot of good things offensively and some good things defensively," Thomas said. "We had the game in hand, but couldn't finish it off."

Game Notes

Stafford has eight goals in his last 11 games...The start of the game was delayed for a ceremony as Jim Kelley and Alexander Mogilny became the newest members of the Sabres' Hall of Fame...Buffalo defenseman Tyler Myers returned from a two-game illness absence.