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Brule scores twice as Blue Jackets down Sabres

Sep 22, 2007 - 1:58 AM By Dave Whalen PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) -- Defenseman Kris Russell and Gilbert Brule scored goals 25 seconds apart early in the second period and the Columbus Blue Jackets went on to post a 4-1 preseason victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday.

Before a sellout crowd, the Sabres were opening their preseason schedule. Conversely, the Blue Jackets were playing their fourth contest in six nights.

Columbus managed only one shot on goal in the first period but entered the second with a 5-on-3 power play and took full advantage. Russell scored his second goal of the preseason 49 seconds into the session and Brule netted his first moments later to open a 2-0 lead.

Brule added his second tally in the third period and former Maurice Richard Trophy winner Rick Nash capped the scoring for the Blue Jackets with another power-play goal at 12:58 of the third.

All four of Columbus' goals came on the power play, as the team finishing 4-for-8 with the man advantage. It had scored just two power-play tallies in its first three preseason contests.

Steve Mason went the distance in goal for the Blue Jackets, allowing just one goal on 20 shots in his debut. The 19-year-old is a native of Oakville, Ontario, a 90-minute drive from Buffalo.

The game featured a melee midway through the first period. Buffalo right wing Patrick Kaleta leveled Columbus' Nikolai Zherdev at the blue line, igniting the fracas.

Blue Jackets rookie Jared Boll, making a name for himself with his rugged style of play, battled with Sabres defenseman Andrej Sekera. Buffalo enforcer Andrew Peters received a game misconduct for being the third man involved in the altercation.

Signed as a free agent during the summer, Jocelyn Thibault stopped 10-of-22 shots for the Sabres.

The teams meet again Sunday in Columbus.