UNIONDALE, N.Y., March 1 (UPI) -- Jason Blake scored his 20th goal 2:42 into overtime and Garth Snow made 36 saves Saturday night as the New York Islanders snapped a three-game winless skid with a 2-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
Blake came down on a rush with Dave Scatchard on his right. He waited for Sabres defenseman Brian Campbell to go down before beating rookie goaltender Mika Noronen with a shot to the stick side.
Miroslav Satan tied it with 4:53 left in the third period with his 23rd goal. After the Sabres won a draw, Satan ripped a slap shot from above the right faceoff circle past goalie Garth Snow.
Shawn Bates opened the scoring just 81 seconds into the game with his 12th goal. He picked off a cross-ice pass by defenseman Rhett Warrener at Buffalo's blue line, strode into the zone and fired a slap shot from the top of the right circle over Noronen's blocker.
The Islanders improved to 4
2 in their last six home games.
Recently recalled from the minors, Noronen, turned aside 31 shots in his first start for Buffalo since Dec. 23. He remained winless at 0-7-1.
