Three periods of regulation and an overtime session were not enough to settle matters as the xBuffalo Jr. Sabres defeated the yToronto Lakeshore Patriots in a shootout 6-5 (3-2 SO).
The two teams needed 12 turns to complete the shootout. yToronto Lakeshore’s shootout goals were scored by Andreas Tsogkas and Nathan Feric. In addition to the clincher, xBuffalo got shootout goals from Tim Kielich and Nolan Sheeran.
The Jr. Sabres overcame a three-goal deficit to capture the victory. xBuffalo trailed 3-0 after a goal by the Patriots’ Tsogkas at 7:09 in the first period. The Jr. Sabres tied things up at 5-5 on a goal by Max Mikowski at 9:07 in the third period.
Michael Ederer had two goals to lead xBuffalo to victory. Ederer found the back of the net 11:04 into the second period to make the score 3-2 yToronto Lakeshore and again while 7:05 into the third to make the score 5-4 yToronto Lakeshore.
The Jr. Sabres’ offense rang up 56 shots on yToronto Lakeshore’s net.
xBuffalo additionally got points from Mikowski, who also tallied one goal and two assists, Dylan Howatt, who also grabbed one goal and one assist, and Sheeran, who also racked up one goal and two assists to lead the team in points. Other players who recorded assists for xBuffalo were Wilson Vershay, Tony DeVito, Daniel Lafontaine, and Jason Heerdt, who each chipped in one.
The Patriots kept xBuffalo’s goalie busy throughout the game, and Joseph Pianta made 38 saves on 43 shots. yToronto Lakeshore could not stay out of the penalty box, as the team accrued 28 minutes in penalties during the game.
The Patriots were led by Michael Prapavessis, who registered one goal and one assist. Prapavessis scored 3:46 into the first period to make the score 2-0 yToronto Lakeshore. Rory Bell assisted on the tally. yToronto Lakeshore also had goals scored by Feric and Nicholas Ursitti, who scored one goal each. More assists for yToronto Lakeshore came via Brandon Willett and Robert Powers, who contributed one a piece and Doug Bonar and Kevin Shier, who each chipped in two.
The Jr. Sabres incurred 28 minutes in penalty time with four minors. Evan Buitenhuis made 50 saves for yToronto Lakeshore on 55 shots. The Patriots registered one goal on three power play opportunities.