Buffalo’s Winning Weekend
(Photo: Melissa Kania)
The Buffalo Jr. Sabres captured two wins in consecutive games against Toronto and Hamilton this weekend, scoring a combined 10 goals in the matchups.
The weekend began with a Saturday evening game against the Toronto Jr. Canadiens in Downsview. Scoring began early as captain Derek Patterson tallied just 41 seconds into regulation play.
Toronto would tie it before the end of the first period with a goal by Adam Logozzo, but a commanding second period would give Buffalo the edge. Ryan Schmelzer scored on the power play; Mark Powell, Pat Egan and Alex Dagnal also scored for the Jr. Sabres.
Schmelzer would complete the power play hat trick with two more goals in the third period as Buffalo ended up winning the game by a score of 7-2. The Jr. Sabres also outshot the Jr. Canadiens, 38-29.
Toronto defenseman Andrew Mullen received instigator and aggressor penalties as well as a five-minute fighting major and game misconduct nearly halfway through the third period.
Goaltender Parker Gahagen had the win for Buffalo, while the Jr. Canadiens split goaltending duties. Denny Dubblestyne was credited with the loss after playing 40 minutes. He allowed five goals on 23 shots. Meanwhile, Nathan Colitto allowed two goals on 15 shots in the twenty minutes of ice time he saw.
The action continued on Sunday as the Jr. Sabres welcomed the Hamilton Red Wings to the Northtown Center in Amherst, New York.
Scoring opened as Tyler Gjurich scored his fifth goal of the season on the power play at 4:18 to give Buffalo the 1-0 lead. Pittsburgh native Alex Dagnal also scored in the first period – his sixth of the season – to increase the lead to two.
Niko Porikos scored the lone goal of the second period, chopping Buffalo’s lead in half. Aaron Spivak would complete the comeback with a Hamilton goal at 13:18 of the third period to make it a tied game.
The third period also saw several penalties called, including two game misconducts after a fight broke out just over six minutes in. Derek Patterson (BUF) and Joey Benitah (HAM) both received fighting majors and game misconducts from the scrap.
With just over two minutes remaining in regulation and the scored tied at two, it appeared likely that the teams would be headed to overtime – but alas, that wasn’t the case.
Forward Josh Kielich scored his third goal of the season at the 17:46 mark to give Buffalo the lead. Despite a last-minute hooking penalty, the Jr. Sabres were able to hang on and secure the win.
Once again, Parker Gahagen was awarded the win for Buffalo, allowing just two goals on 33 shots against.
The Jr. Sabres next game is Wednesday at home against the North York Rangers. Face-off is set for 7:30 p.m.