Loyal Sabres fans party outside HSBC

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The Sabres let a two-goal lead slip away and are headed to Boston with the series tied at one.

The Bruins scored three goals in the third period to come from behind and beat the Sabres 5 to 3.

The Sabres lost their leading goal scorer, Thomas Vanek, in the first period of Saturday's game. He appeared to injure his lower body, when he was hooked by Boston's Johnny Boychuck, and both players slid into the boards.

Despite the tough loss, Sabres fans showed the team plenty of support and remain optimistic.

Sabres fans got another chance to party in the plaza for the second time in three days.

But Saturday just wasn't the same for so many reasons.

Meagan Mosher exclaimed, "Thursday was crazy, it was madness. Maybe because the weather was so nice. It was just madness!"

Thousands of fans, unlimited beer, and a Sabres win.

But on Saturday, fans left the HSBC Arena with a loss.

"That was a very bad beat. It was a bad beat. They did great until the third and then it just, we don't like Chara," Sabres fan, Quentin Britt exclaimed.

Tracy Faulkner traveled all the way from Connecticut and said, "It's all right. There's still plenty of time to win, and plenty of time. Best of seven."

Win or lose, everyone's level of energy was still just as high on Saturday.

That's about the only thing that didn't change between the two days.

The Sabres have now imposed a new limit on how many beers fans can buy in the Plaza. Three per person so the partying doesn't get out of control.

Michael Battaglia expressed, "Three beer minimum, more like seven beer minimum."

It wasn't easy but mixed in the crowd of fans, we did find fans for the Boston Bruins!

Darren Craig explained, "The first jersey my dad ever bought me, probably on sale when I was 4-years-old and ever since then, I've liked the Bruins."

Another Bruins fan stated, "If I make it out of the game alive, I'll be a good man."

We also found fans from Virginia and Connecticut.

Tracy remarked, "Because I love the Sabres and I love Buffalo. Go Sabres!"

Brenda Lodico said, "I thought it was awesome. I came up here from Norfolk, Virginia. It's my birthday today and I was disappointed about the final but it was a good game."