National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Vancouver 3, Buffalo 0
When: 7:00 PM ET, Thursday, October 17, 2013
Where: First Niagara Center, Buffalo, New York
Referees: Kelly Sutherland, Don VanMassenhoven
Linesmen: Michel Cormier, Tim Nowak
Attendance: 18374


Canucks 3, Sabres 0: Roberto Luongo turned aside 25 shots for his 63rd career shutout as Vancouver dropped host Buffalo.

Chris Higgins scored for the second straight game, Brad Richardson had a short-handed tally and defenseman Ryan Stanton notched his first career goal as the Canucks improved to 2-0-0 on the seven-game road trip. Mike Santorelli added a pair of assists.

Ryan Miller made 31 saves in losing for the first time in four career home starts to Vancouver. Buffalo was shut out for the second time this season and has managed only 11 goals in losing for the eighth time in nine games (1-7-1).

The Sabres had a big part in the opening goal when Cody McCormick deflected Santorelli's crossing pass right onto the stick of Higgins, who quickly snapped it past a surprised Miller at 14:53 of the opening period.

The Canucks got another fortunate bounce when defenseman Jason Garrison's shot hit the skate of Buffalo blue-liner Mark Pysyk and popped into the air toward the front of the net. Richardson alertly poked it out of mid-air for a 2-0 edge with 8:55 left in the second. Stanton added an insurance tally midway through the third period and Luongo completed the shutout with 11 saves in the final 20 minutes.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Richardson's short-handed goal was his second of the season and seventh career. The short-handed taly was Vancouver's league-leading third of the campaign. ... Buffalo's Thomas Vanek had an apparent goal in the opening minute of the third period reversed upon video review when it was ruled that the puck hit the crossbar and landed on the goal line. ... Higgins' goal marked the first time in five games that the Canucks have scored first and the eighth time in nine games that an opponent has tallied first against Buffalo, which has been outscored 11-1 in the opening 20 minutes.
Top Game Performances
 
Vancouver   Buffalo
Mike Santorelli 2 Points N/A
Chris Higgins 1 Goals N/A
Mike Santorelli 2 Assists N/A
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
Brad Richardson 1 Short Handed Goals N/A
Roberto Luongo 1.000 Save Percentage Ryan Miller .912
Roberto Luongo 25 Saves Ryan Miller 31
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Vancouver 34 3 0-3 3-3 6 31
Buffalo 25 0 0-3 3-3 6 28
Upcoming Games
  • Buffalo will play their next game at home against Colorado. The Sabres have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .125 after a loss.
  • Vancouver will play their next game on the road against Pittsburgh. The Canucks have a W/L % of .600 after a win and .667 after a loss.