Ryan Schmelzer netted a hat trick to lead the xBuffalo Jr. Sabres over the xWellington Dukes, 5-3.
Schmelzer’s first goal came 9:27 into the second period. He then added goals at 11:32 into the third and at 19:01 into the third.
xBuffalo put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow xWellington to score on any of its five power plays.
Others who scored for xBuffalo included Josh Gabriel and Nolan Sheeran, who each put in one. More assists for xBuffalo came via Dennis Gilbert, Ben Casale, and Nico Gonzalez, who contributed one a piece and Max Mikowski and Pat Egan, who each chipped in two.
The Dukes forced the Jr. Sabres goalie Joseph Pianta to work between the pipes, taking 32 shots.
xWellington was helped by Abbott Girduckis, who finished with one goal. Girduckis scored 19:27 into the second period to make the score 2-1 xWellington. Mike Robinson assisted on the tally. xWellington additionally got points from Robinson, who also racked up one goal and one assist to lead the team in points. Luc Brown also scored for xWellington. In addition, xWellington received assists from Kyle Paat and Erick Delaurentis, who contributed one a piece.
Pianta recorded 29 saves for xBuffalo. The Jr. Sabres incurred 10 minutes in penalty time with five minors. The Dukes’ Tyson Teichmann stopped 21 shots out of the 25 that he faced. xWellington incurred six minutes in penalty time with three minors.
