The Buffalo Jr. Sabres tried their best to erase a five-goal deficit, but the Toronto Junior Canadiens would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 6-4.
Toronto made the score 6-1 on a goal by Anthony Repaci at 6:20 in the third period, and Buffalo got as close as 6-4 when Tony DeVito scored 13:19 into the third period.
Repaci was all over the ice for the Junior Canadiens, as he tallied two goals and one assist in the win. Repaci scored the first of his two goals at 1:13 into the third period to make the score 5-1 Toronto. Aaron Spivak provided the assist. Repaci’s next tally made the score Toronto with 13:40 left in the third period. Nicholas Favaro assisted on the tally.
Toronto’s offense rang up 33 shots on the Jr. Sabres’ net. The Junior Canadiens surpassed their usual scoring output this season. Toronto averages 3.4 goals per game. The Junior Canadiens’ penalty kill was ineffective, and let in three goals to Buffalo’s power play unit.
Toronto additionally got points from Aaron Thow, who also had one goal and two assists. Toronto also got a goal from Ryan MacSpadyen as well. More assists for Toronto came via Mark Spadafora, Connor Prudames, and Cody Thompson, who contributed one a piece.
The Jr. Sabres managed to stay out of the box better than usual, registering one minor for two minutes in penalty time. Buffalo ended up below its season average of 14.0 penalty minutes per game. The Jr. Sabres kept Toronto’s goalie busy throughout the game, and Daniel Lopapa made 41 saves on 45 shots.
Buffalo was led by Michael Ederer, who racked up one goal and two assists. Ederer scored on the power play 9:31 into the third period to make the score 6-2 Toronto. A hooking penalty on Daniel Volpe had put the Jr. Sabres on the power play. Dylan Howatt picked up the assist. Buffalo also had goals scored by Ryan Schmelzer and Josh Gabriel, who each put in one. In addition, Buffalo received assists from Max Mikowski, who had two and Nick Desimone and Pat Egan, who each chipped in one.
The Junior Canadiens totaled 14 minutes in penalty time with two minors and two majors and went 0-for-1 on the power play. For Toronto, Andrew Mullen and Jake Walman were ejected from the contest. Joseph Pianta recorded 27 saves for Buffalo.
