AMHERST – After the Toronto Jr. Canadiens jumped out to a 3-0 lead, Buffalo responded with two goals and raised hopes of an exciting third period comeback. Alas, the guests had other plans and responded with two more goals to hand the Jr. Sabres their first loss of the young Ontario Junior Hockey League season on Wednesday, 5-2.
Following a scoreless first period, Anthony Repaci scored for Toronto then added the second of his three goals later in the period, with Ryan MacSpadyen scoring in between.
Buffalo finally got on the scoreboard in the third period when Josh Gabriel (in photo) netted his second of the year, assisted by Nick Smith, at the 2:36 mark. Later at the 12:48 mark while Buffalo was on the power play, Max Mikowski scored his first goal of the season, assisted by Nick DeSimone and Daniel LaFontaine.
Any thoughts of Buffalo completing the comeback ended 27 seconds later, when Daniel Harquail, who assisted all three Toronto goals in the second period, scored to put Toronto ahead, 4-2. Repaci completed his hat trick with a goal with just three seconds remaining in the game.
Brandon Mueller made 24 saves while taking the loss in his first start in goal for the Jr. Sabres, who fell to 2-1 on the season.
The Jr. Sabres return to game action next Tuesday, September 17, when they host the Orangeville Flyers at 7:30 p.m. at the Northtown Center at Amherst.
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Photo: Josh Gabriel file – courtesy OJHL Images