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Sabres end skid with win over Bruins

Jan 18, 2007 - 7:37 AM BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) -- The Buffalo Sabres got their revenge on the Boston Bruins.

Brian Campbell scored the go-ahead goal in the third period to lead the Sabres to a 6-3 victory over the Bruins in the back end of their home-and-home series.

Maxim Afinogenov had a goal and an assist for Buffalo, which avenged a 3-2 shootout defeat to the Bruins on Monday and snapped their three-game losing streak in the process.

"Considering the way we played, we wanted to take the last 45 minutes out of Boston and build on it," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "I thought overall it was a greatly improved 60-minute effort for our team."

Campbell snapped a 3-3 tie with 9:55 left in the game. He blasted a one-timer that deflected off the stick of Boston's Marco Sturm and past the right shoulder of goaltender Tim Thomas.

"I didn't know what happened," Campbell said. "(Thomas) Vanek said it hit one of their guys and went in. When I released the shot I felt like it was a knuckler coming off my stick. One of my patented shots (laughs). It found a hole. This team needs to throw more pucks at the net. Thomas (Vanek) was in front. Their goalie can't see it. It makes a difference."

Afinogenov tallied his 21st goal of the campaign to increase the Sabres' lead to 5-3, as he charged to the center of the net and backhanded the puck under Thomas' pads.

"You expect him to get a break like that at least once a game," Thomas said. "I stayed with him pretty well. I thought I was going to save it. I don't know if it would have made a difference in the game. I thought I was going to have that one and it might have lifted the team a bit."

Goaltender Ryan Miller made 25 saves for Buffalo, which was 1-for-3 on the power play.

Daniel Paille netted two goals and Daniel Briere added two assists for the Sabres, who outshot the Bruins, 14-8, in the final session.

"I just want to be ready," Paille said. "I don't want to be too comfortable because anything can happen. I'm just going to my best with the situation I have and keep working at it."

Rookie Phil Kessel had two goals and Thomas stopped 26 shots for Boston, which was 1-for-5 with the extra attacker.

"He's (Kessel) been rewarded for what he's gone through," Bruins coach Dave Lewis said. "He had two goals and then played a good game. Probably his best game since coming back."