Sabres Classics: Ennis scores in OT to win Game 5 vs. Flyers

Tyler Ennis had already proven to have a knack for the playoffs by the time he played his rookie season with the Buffalo Sabres in 2010-11.

Ennis appeared in 10 games with the Sabres to end the 2009-10 regular season, then added four points in six contests during the team's first-round series against Boston. He carried that strong play into a dynamic rookie campaign, tallying 49 points (20+29) in 2010-11.

The 21-year-old had been held to a single assist, however, through the first four games of Buffalo's first-round series against Philadelphia in 2011. His heroic rebound effort in Game 5 re-airs tonight at 8 p.m. as the final installment of "Sabres Classics: Rivalry Week" on MSG. (Spoilers ahead.)

Buffalo had tied the series with a victory at home in Game 4, a 1-0 shutout in which Ryan Miller - fresh off a regular season that would earn him the Vezina Trophy - posted a 29-save shutout. Jason Pominville scored the lone goal.

On the road with a chance to take a series lead, Ennis opened the scoring just 2:24 into Game 5. Thomas Vanek added to the lead less than two minutes later, then Marc-Andre Gragnani scored to make it 3-0 prior to the first intermission.

The Sabres lost Pominville and defenseman Jordan Leopold in that first period to injury, however, and the Flyers stormed back to tie the game on a Daniel Briere goal early in the third. The 3-3 score held until the end of regulation.

"The first couple of games I was a little nervous and I wasn't playing too well," Ennis told Sabres.com that night. "I thought I was going to be a little nervous heading to overtime, but I was actually really excited, and I couldn't wait for it to start. I just really wanted to score."

Ennis ended the game 5:31 into the extra period. Defenseman Steve Montador kept the puck in along the right side of the blue line and passed left to Mike Weber, who wound up for a shot from the point. Ennis rushed in and buried the rebound off the pad of goaltender Michael Leighton.

The Flyers would take Game 6 in overtime and win the series in Game 7, but the moment further solidified Ennis' status as a fan favorite early in his career.

"I was kind of picturing myself scoring and it was exciting and pretty cool that it actually did happen," he said. "I'm glad it did."