GEORGETOWN, ON – Liam Board scored the game-winning goal in the shootout, giving the host Georgetown Raiders a 2-1 win over the Buffalo Jr. Sabres on Saturday night at the Mold-Master SportsPlex.
The game went scoreless through the first two periods with Jr. Sabres netminder Brandon Mueller stopping 20 shots, while Raiders netminder Michael McNiven turned aside 21 Buffalo shots on goal.
The game finally got its first goal at the 6:08 mark of the third period, and it went to Buffalo. Darren McCormick netted his 11th goal of the season on the power play, assisted by Max Mikowski and Nick Smith.
That lead held until the 15:14 mark of the period. Anthony Marra evened the score with a goal assisted by Gavin Shantz and Steve Hladin.
Both Mueller and McNevin stopped 14 shots in a busy final period. Mueller stopped five more in overtime while McNevin’s defense kept him idled in the extra session. With no one scoring, it was off to the shootout.
After Buffalo’s Michael Ederer and Georgetown’s John Adams were unsuccessful on their respective shots, McCormick scored on his turn to give Buffalo the momentary advantage. Georgetown’s Hladin missed on his opportunity but then Buffalo’s Pat Egan also did not score.
Marra struck again for the hosts. After Mikowski missed Buffalo’s chance to put Buffalo ahead, Board delivered the winning goal.
Mueller finished the night with 39 saves and was named the game’s Third Star.
Buffalo returns home to the Northtown Center at Amherst on Monday night, when they host the Lindsay Muskies beginning at 7:30 p.m.
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Photo: Jr. Sabres goalie Brandon Mueller (file photo). Courtesy OJHL Images.
