BUFFALO – Pat Egan gave the Buffalo Jr. Sabres a 5-4 (OT) victory over the Mississauga Chargers when he scored 2:41 into the extra period. His game-winning goal also put Buffalo into a commanding 3-1 series lead in their first-round Ontario Junior Hockey League series.
Daniel LaFontaine assisted on the game winner (along with Nolan Sheeran) and scored the power play goal with 3:13 remaining in the third period to tie the game at 4-4 and complete the Jr. Sabres’ come from behind.
Sheeran opened the scoring at the 5:39 mark of the first period, but goals by Nick Tetley and Trevor Waarnar sent the Chargers into the intermission with the 2-1 lead.
Buffalo rallied in the second period with goals by Nick DeSimone and Max Mikowski, the latter one shorthanded, just under three minutes apart.
Mississauga responded with two goals to regain the lead in the third period. Lucas Venuto and Ayrton Valente put the Chargers in front 4-3 by the midway point of the period before LaFontaine’s goal evened things.
Joseph Pianta stopped 25 shots in front of the Buffalo net while Mississauga’s Austin Washkurak turned aside 28 shots.
Game Five is Saturday night at Port Credit Arena in Mississauga, beginning at 8 p.m.
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Photo: Daniel LaFontaine (9) puts home the game-tying goal in the third period. Photo by Ken Czworka.
