AMHERST – Dennis Gilbert scored twice for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres, but in the end the Rochester Jr. Americans scored the goal that mattered – the one in overtime – as the Jr. Amerks downed Buffalo in overtime, 6-5, in a non-league preseason match at the Northtown Center at Amherst on Wendesday.
The visitors scored first about five minutes into the opening period, then added a second goal before the first intermission. Buffalo rallied in the second period, taking advantage of a 5-on-3 power play to get on the scoreboard.
Defenseman Dennis Gilbert (in photo, courtesy Buffalo Jr. Sabres) scored with the two-man advantage, assisted by Nolan Sheeran and Josh Gabriel, the latter of whom scored just moments later to quickly even the game at 2-2.
Rochester responded with another go-ahead goal but Buffalo kept pace. Nick Smith also scored for Buffalo in the second period, which ended with the Jr. Amerks up, 4-3.
Gilbert scored his second goal of the game with 11:18 left in the third period. After the Jr. Amerks again took the lead, returning Jr. Sabres forward Nolan Sheeran scored to force a 5-5 tie.
Rochester scored the winning goal with less than a minute remaining in overtime.
Wednesday’s game was Buffalo’s lone preseason matchup. The team will practice Thursday then head into the weekend, during which they open the 2013-14 Ontario Junior Hockey League regular season, beginning with a Sunday afternoon tilt in North York, followed the next day by their home opener against Toronto Lakeshore.
