The Buffalo Jr. Sabres gutted out a close 6-4 win against the Toronto Patriots Patriots.
Each team kept the other at bay throughout the game, and Griffin Lunn secured the win for Buffalo with a goal in the third period.
The Jr. Sabres got the win with help from a great game by Christopher Berger, who had one goal and two assists. Berger scored on the power play 16:01 into the first period to make the score 2-1 Buffalo. Buffalo earned a power play opportunity when Connor Beck was put in the box for tripping. Zach Evancho picked up the assist.
The Jr. Sabres’ penalty kill excelled, as Buffalo gave up one goal despite allowing six power plays.
The Jr. Sabres kept Toronto Patriots’ goalie busy throughout the game, and Sean OReilly made 34 saves on 40 shots.
Buffalo also got points from Tim Nicksic, who also registered one goal and one assist, Michael Benaquist Jr., who also racked up one goal and one assist, and Ryan Wheeler, who also had one goal and one assist. Christian DiFelice also scored for Buffalo. In addition, Buffalo received assists from Wilson Vershay, Nicholas Bondra, and Joshua Biasillo, who contributed one each.
The Patriots forced Buffalo goalie Brian Kowalski to work between the pipes, taking 36 shots.
Toronto Patriots was helped by Jason DiPerna, who racked up one goal. DiPerna scored 16:01 into the third period to make the score 5-4 Buffalo. Jeremy Pullara assisted on the tally. Toronto Patriots additionally got points from Tyler Currie, who also registered one goal and one assist and Michael Siddall, who also finished with one goal and one assist. Toronto Patriots also got a goal from Marco Bozzo as well. Other players who recorded assists for Toronto Patriots were Louis DiMatteo, who had two and Andrew Green and Nicholas Ursitti, who each chipped in one.
The Jr. Sabres’ Kowalski stopped 32 shots out of the 36 that he faced. Buffalo incurred 28 minutes in penalty time with four minors. The Jr. Sabres ran into serious disciplinary problems during the contest, and Brenden Dunning was ejected from the game. The Patriots incurred 12 minutes in penalty time with six minors.
