Three periods of regulation and an overtime session were not enough to settle matters as the Buffalo Jr. Sabres defeated the Stouffville Spirit in a shootout 5-4 (3-2 SO).
The shootout lasted for 12 attempts between the teams. Stouffville got shootout goals from Joseph Deveny and Michael Carcone. Buffalo also got shootout goals from Darren McCormick and Michael Ederer.
Pat Egan was all over the ice for the Jr. Sabres, as he tallied one goal and two assists in the win. Egan scored on the power play 18:46 into the second period to make the score 4-3 Stouffville. Buffalo had gained a power play chance when Peyton Backus was whistled for goalie interference. Nolan Sheeran provided the assist.
The Jr. Sabres managed to stay out of the box better than usual, registering one minor for two minutes in penalty time. Buffalo finished below its season average of 14.0 penalty minutes per game. The Jr. Sabres’ offense rang up 50 shots on the Spirit’s net.
Buffalo additionally got points from McCormick, who also registered one goal and two assists and Sheeran, who also had one goal and two assists. Buffalo also got a goal from Wilson Vershay as well. More assists for Buffalo came via Ryan Schmelzer and Ederer, who contributed one a piece.
Stouffville forced Buffalo’s goalies to work in net, taking 38 shots and forcing 34 saves. Joseph Pianta made 26 stops and Brandon Mueller made eight. The Spirit managed to stay out of the box better than usual, finishing with one minor for two minutes in penalty time. Stouffville ended up below its season average of 14.0 penalty minutes per game.
Stouffville also got points from Michael Morgan, who also racked up one goal and one assist, Graham Pickard, who also registered one goal and one assist, and Deveny, who also tallied one goal and one assist. Carcone also scored for Stouffville. In addition, Stouffville received assists from Daryl Thompson and Andres Kopstals, who each chipped in one.
The Jr. Sabres registered one goal on one power play opportunities. Daniel Mannella rejected 45 shots on goal for the Spirit. Stouffville registered zero goals on one power play opportunities.
