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Sabres welcome new owner with win over Thrashers

Feb 24, 2011 - 4:27 AM Buffalo, NY (Sports Network) - Ryan Miller stopped 40 shots to help Buffalo give its new owner a 4-1 win over Atlanta at HSBC Arena.

On Tuesday, the team announced that Terry Pegula had officially become the fourth owner of the team. Prior to the start of Wednesday's game, he walked onto the ice along with his son, who dropped the ceremonial first puck, to introduce himself to the fans.

Tyler Myers had a goal and an assist while Paul Gaustad, Jason Pominville and Tyler Ennis also scored for the Sabres, who snapped a three-game losing streak.

"There were a lot of good things that came out of the win tonight," said Myers. "It was Mr. Pegula's first win as an owner and out first win for the fans in a little while."

Andrew Ladd notched the lone goal for the Thrashers, who have dropped eight of their last nine games. Ondrej Pavelec was tagged for all four goals on 39 shots.

"There were a key two minutes in the second period that lost it for us," said Pavelec. "We decided to take a shift off and they score two goals during that time."

Pegula needed to wait just 7:13 to see his team score, as Myers beat Pavelec cleanly with a shot from the top of the right circle.

The Thrashers tied the game on the power play at the 5:31 mark of the second, when Ladd lifted the puck over a sprawling Miller from a sharp angle at the left side.

However, Buffalo scored twice in 30 seconds later in the second to take a 3-1 lead.

The first goal was the result of a nice effort by Gaustad, who charged into the Atlanta end down the right wing, cut to the middle and threw his own rebound into the cage for his ninth goal of the season.

Moments later, Myers blasted a shot on net from the right point, and Pominville tucked home the rebound at the right side.

Ennis' 13th goal of the season made it a 4-1 game just 1:54 into the third.

Game Notes

Prior to the game, Buffalo placed defenseman and team captain Craig Rivet on waivers...Buffalo hosts Ottawa on Friday...Atlanta, which went 0-3-0 on its road trip, plays at home on Friday against Florida...Buffalo has won two of three against Atlanta this season.