Jr. Sabres Take Game One in OT, 6-5

(Amherst, NY) – Max Mikowski scored Buffalo’s opening goal and then scored the game winner in overtime, as the Buffalo Jr. Sabres rallied from a two-goal deficit to take Game One of their first round OJHL Playoff series, 6-5, over the Burlington Cougars.
The Cougars pounced on very early Buffalo defensive miscues and took the 1-0 lead just 34 seconds into the period. Buffalo dug its hole deeper by taking the first penalty of the game moments later, but Mikowski evened the score during that penalty kill.
The Jr. Sabres then took the 2-1 lead on Nolan Sheeran’s tally. Burlington tied the game moments later and then in the second period jumped out to a 4-2 lead on two goals by Mike Sones. The Jr. Sabres got one back late in the second period when Sean Federow scored from the point on the power play.
Buffalo’s Tyler Gjurich scored twice in a three and a half minute span to tie the game and then put Buffalo into a 5-4 lead, but the Cougars responded with Tyler Mayea’s equalizer at the 17:41 mark of the third.
In overtime, Mikowski put the game away just under two minutes into the sudden death period.
Jr. Sabres goaltender Parker Gahagen stopped 30 of 35 shots while Burlington’s Alex Murray stopped 47 of 53 Buffalo shots.
Game Two is Tuesday at 5:00 at Burlington. The game can be watched online for a nominal fee on FASTHockey.com.
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Photo of Max Mikowski courtesy Ken Czworka