(Amherst, NY) – The Buffalo Junior Sabres suffered a rare loss at home Monday night, falling 5-3 to the St. Michael’s Buzzers at the Northtown Center at Amherst.
Buffalo took the first lead of the game just under three minutes into the first period, when Brian Ruff tipped in a shot. Derek Patterson and Tim Kielich recorded the assists. St. Michael’s responded with two goals, the first by Ted Hunt at the 9:05 mark and then the second by CJ Shugart at the 10:22 mark of the first.
The Jr. Sabres tied the game 2-2 at the 3:20 mark of the second period when Tyler Gjurich scored his league-leading 32nd goal of the season, assisted by David Seward and Derek Patterson. The Buzzers took the 3-2 lead with less than a minute left in the second when David Italiano scored unassisted.
St. Michael’s built their lead to 5-2 in the third period with goals by Jordan Merante and Matt Buckles. Buffalo’s Pat Egan cut the lead to 5-3 at the 16:30 mark of the third but the Jr. Sabres could not muster any more offense.
Parker Gahagen stopped 31 shots while St. Michael’s goaltender Adrian Ignagni turned aside 39 Buffalo shots.
Buffalo (25 wins, 9 losses, 2 shootout losses) next travel to Mississauga on Saturday to face the Chargers then return home to host the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots on Tuesday, December 18 beginning at 6:30pm.
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Photo: Jr. Sabres captain Derek Patterson recorded two assists, but Buffalo fell short at home against the Buzzers. (Photo courtesy OJHL Images)
