'The game was an uneven affair from the get-go. Thornton (Nos. 7 and 8) scored just 21 seconds into the game, but that was the high point of the first period for the B's. J.P. Dumont tied the game off a turnover and the Sabres, who owned an 11-5 shot advantage in the period and 37-20 in the game, could have had a commanding lead if not for Shields. "He saved us in the first,'' said Thornton.'