Thomas Vanek and Viktor Stalberg exchanged goals as the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 7-6 in a high scoring game.
Viktor Stalberg opened the scoring when he deflected a Tomas Kaberle pass past Buffalo goalie Patrick Lalime. Lee Stempniak put Toronto up by two with a tip in near the end of the first period.
Buffalo exploded in a 5:35 stretch in the second when Clarke MacArthur, Nathan Gerbe and Thomas Vanek scored to put Buffalo ahead 3-2.
Buffalo's lead lasted about as long Rick Dipietro's season, as Jason Blake scored 30 seconds later to tie the game. Toronto's Nikolai Kulemin scored three minutes later off assists from Matt Stajan and Luke Schenn to put Toronto up 4-3 going into the third.
Buffalo came out hot in the third and scored two goals within the first three minutes, as Jochen Hecht scored on a wrap around and Tim Kennedy got another past Toskala to put the Sabres up 5-4.
Lee Stempniak sooned tied the score at 5-5, but Thomas Vanek broke the tie again on a powerplay goal off assists from Derek Roy and Craig Rivet to put the Sabres up for good.
Less than two minutes later, Matt Ellis gave Buffalo the insurance goal to put Buffalo up 7-5. With less than two minutes left in the period Mikhail Grabovski brought Toronto within one, but Toronto could not tie up the score as Buffalo went on to the victory in a wild game.
Wilson announced that Toskala, who gave up all seven goals, would be starting the season opener -- "so there's no controversy."
"I think both teams were disinterested most of the night," Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson said. "It's your last exhibition game. Lord knows, we've played enough of them."
Buffalo finished the pre-season 4-1-1 as Toronto finished 6-3.
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