(Orangeville, ON) – It’s one of the longer bus trips the Buffalo Junior Sabres need to make on their Ontario Junior Hockey League schedule. After defeating the host Orangeville Flyers, 5-2, on Saturday night the bus ride back home will be a pleasant one.
Just 3:09 into the first period, Andrew Poturalski scored what would be the first of his two goals, assisted by Tim Kielich and Kollin Schultz. The Flyers tied the game shorthanded, though, at the 7:30 mark of the first period on Geoff Berzruchko’s unassisted effort.
Buffalo regained the lead just under two minutes into the second period when Rocky Gruttadauria scored, with Derek Patterson assisting. Once again the Flyers responded, tying the game 2-2 at the 5:41 mark of the second period with a goal by Daniel Holt.
With just over one minute left in the second, with the Jr. Sabres on the power play, Shane Bennett scored to give Buffalo the 3-2 lead. Gruttadauria and David Seward were credited with the assists.
Poturalski’s second goal, assisted by Patterson at the 10:55 mark of the third period, proved to be the game winner. Tim Kielich added an empty net goal to end any hopes of a comeback by the hosts.
Goaltender Parker Gahagen was credited with 48 saves on 50 Orangeville shots, earning the win for Buffalo. His counterpart, Flyers’ puckstopper Bo Bessette, was credited with 44 saves on 48 Buffalo shots.
The Jr. Sabres return home Monday for the first of two consecutive home dates, hosting Georgetown on Monday at 7:30pm at the Northtown Center at Amherst, while welcoming Oakville the following night.
Buffalo, which has clinched third place in the OJHL West Division, has four games remaining on its regular season schedule and will conclude that scheduled with two road dates, at Milton on Friday night and Georgetown the next night.