(North York, ON) – Pat Egan scored twice for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres, but the host North York Rangers increased their second round playoff series lead to 2-0 by defeating Buffalo, 4-2, at Centennial Rink in North York, Ontario on Friday night.
The Jr. Sabres found themselves taking frequent trips to the penalty box and the Rangers utilized a 5-on-3 situation in the first period to grab their first lead of the game. Corey Kalk scored the opening goal at the 9:51 mark.
Egan (file photo courtesy OJHL Images) evened the game at 1-1 with a power play goal just 37 seconds into the second period, assisted by Nick Scamurra and Tony DeVito. Then just under 12 minutes into the period, North York regained the lead, also on a power play, as John Carpino scored. Less than a half minute later, Zachary Fung scored what proved to be the game winning goal.
Egan notched his second goal of the game late in the second period, but North York’s Chris Aitcheson restored North York’s two-goal lead in the third period while his Ranger teammates spent the rest of the game shutting down Buffalo’s top scorers.
The Jr. Sabres actually outshot North York, 33 to 31, but also doubled up on the penalty minutes, recording 28 of them while North York committed a total 14 minutes worth of fouls.
Parker Gahagen again got the start in net for Buffalo, stopping 27 shots. Jason Puccarelli turned aside 31 Buffalo shots on goal.
Game Three will be played Saturday night at 7pm at Buffalo State College Ice Arena. Click here for a map to the venue.
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