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Hecht, Kotalik lead Sabres past Blue Jackets

Oct 3, 2008 - 2:24 AM By Dave Holstein PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- Jochen Hecht and Ales Kotalik recorded a goal and an assist apiece to lead the Buffalo Sabres to a 5-2 preseason victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.

Thomas Vanek, Nathan Gerbe and veteran defenseman Teppo Numminen also scored for the Sabres, who are 2-3-1 in the preseason.

Jiri Novotny and Rick Nash tallied for the Blue Jackets, who fell to 2-4 in the preseason.

After Novotny opened the scoring just 3:03 into the first period, the Sabres scored five consecutive goals to seal the win.

Hecht wristed a shot from the right faceoff circle which leveled the contest at 1-1 with 2:20 remaining in the first period.

After Vanek gave Buffalo a 2-1 lead just under seven minutes into the second session, Kotalik doubled the advantage with a power-play tally.

With Columbus' Fredrik Modin and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen serving hooking penalties, Kotalik blasted a one-timer which beat goaltender Frederik Norrena with 4:13 remaining in the period.

Numminen added a power-play tally just 47 seconds into the third and Gerbe scored on a breakaway just over nine minutes into the session to give Buffalo a 5-1 lead.

Nash capped the scoring by tallying three minutes later.

Columbus' first pick in June's draft, Nikita Filatov had one shot in 12:17 of ice time in his first preseason game. The Russian returned to practice on Sunday after missing the first eight days of camp because of a hairline fracture in his right lower leg.