(Amherst, NY) – The Buffalo Jr. Sabres’ mastery over the Brampton Capitals was halted last night at the Northtown Center at Amherst, where the visiting Caps held off a late-surging Junior Sabres to skate away with a 3-2 win.
Rocky Gruttadauria opened the scoring, giving Buffalo a 1-0 lead in the first period, but in literally the last second of the period, Capital forward Robert Cammalleri’s shot found its way past Jr. Sabres goalie Parker Gahagen, and the game was knotted at 1-1.
Brampton pounced to a 3-1 lead in the second period, with goals by Matt Schwehr and Cammalleri. Buffalo’s Shane Bennett scored in the third period to cut the lead, but Brampton held off their hosts to preserve the win. Gahagen made 22 saves. Capitals goalie Stormer Santana, winless against Buffalo heading into the evening, also made 22 saves.
After returning to action from a long layoff, the Jr. Sabres now find themselves preparing for a busy period of three games in four nights, beginning with a road trip to Oakville on Friday.
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Two of Buffalo’s top scorers continue to rest from injuries, though one may be available to the team as early as Friday. Josh Kielich, who’s recovering from an upper body injury, told buffalojuniorsabres.com he is hoping he’ll be ready to go for the game against the Blades.
Andrew Poturalski, meanwhile, is scheduled to have the boot removed from the ankle he broke last month. He’ll still need some therapy. The team is hoping to have him back shortly after the start of the new year.
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Prior to the start of the game last night, Greg Taylor of Guelph, Ontario dropped a ceremonial faceoff puck as part of his effort to create a new world record for most ceremonial puck drops in one calendar year. Taylor’s puck-dropping mission, more importantly, is ongoing to raise funds to support the Quinlan Centre, a facility in Ottawa that works with developmentally challenged adults.
Last night was puck drop number 40 (shown in photo). The Junior Sabres wish Greg Taylor the very best of luck as he continues his charity mission.
