(Amherst, NY) – Josh Kielich’s goal with just over two minutes remaining in the third period proved to be the game winner as the Buffalo Jr. Sabres defeated the Hamilton Red Wings, 3-2, at the Northtown Center at Amherst.
Tyler Gjurich, coming off a five-point night Saturday at the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, opened the scoring with a power play goal (assisted by Sean Federow), his fifth goal of the season, which put Buffalo into the lead at the 4:18 mark of the first period. The Jr. Sabres increased that lead at the 17:10 mark on Alex Dagnal’s sixth goal of the season (assisted by Max Mikowski).
In the second period, Hamilton’s Niko Porikos cut Buffalo’s lead to 2-1. The Red Wings then tied the game at the 13:18 mark of the third period when Aaron Spivak fired home a power play goal.
Kielich’s goal, his third of the season (assisted by Dylan Howatt), put Buffalo back into the lead but the Jr. Sabres soon after found themselves in the penalty box. Jr. Sabres goaltender Parker Gahagen held tough as did Buffalo’s defense, hold back Hamilton’s power play to secure the 3-2 win. Gahagen recorded 31 saves to boost his record to 6-1.
Buffalo, which improved its record to 6-2 on the season, is currently on a three-game winning streak and will return to action on Wednesday, October 3 at home against the North York Rangers, beginning at 7:30pm in the Northtown Center at Amherst. Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for students & seniors.
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Alex Dagnal has scored a goal in all but one of the seven games in which he has played so far this season. The only game in which he was held pointless was at the North York Rangers on September 23. Dagnal also missed the September 24 game at home vs. Orangeville, forced to serve a one-game suspension for a checking from behind penalty in the North York game the day before.
Tyler Gjurich leads all Jr. Sabres in scoring with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in eight games. Boosted by his three goals and two assists Saturday night at the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, Ryan Schmelzer has climbed into second place in team scoring with a total 11 points in eight games (six goals, five assists).
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Former Buffalo Sabres players have been known to attend Jr. Sabres games, but on this occasion there was an ex-Sabre on hand to support his loved one… who was playing with Hamilton. Don Luce, who skated with the NHL’s Sabres from 1971 to 1981, is the grandfather of Hamilton Red Wings forward Harrison Luce. Several members of the family were in the stands to support the younger Luce.
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