Behind a great game by Nico Gonzalez, who had two goals, the yBuffalo Jr. Sabres defeated the yAurora Tigers, 7-4.
Gonzalez found the back of the net 2:25 into the first period to make the score 1-0 yBuffalo and again while on the power play 17:59 into the first to make the score 2-0 yBuffalo.
yBuffalo made Tigers’ goaltenders to work all game long, firing 34 shots and forcing 27 saves. Andy Munroe made 14 stops and Kevin Entmaa made 13. The Jr. Sabres bested their season scoring average. yBuffalo averages 4.8 goals per game. The Jr. Sabres’ penalty kill unit could not stop yAurora’s power play, which converted on three of five opportunities.
yBuffalo also got points from Dennis Gilbert, who also finished with one goal and one assist, Ryan Schmelzer, who also grabbed two goals and two assists, Josh Gabriel, who also tallied one goal and three assists, and Michael Ederer, who also had one goal and two assists. In addition, yBuffalo received assists from Daniel Lafontaine, Nick Desimone, Ben Casale, Tim Kielich, Dylan Howatt, and Pat Egan, who contributed one a piece.
The Tigers forced yBuffalo goalie Brandon Mueller to work between the pipes, taking 39 shots. yAurora’s normally stingy defense allowed more goals than usual. The Tigers average 2.3 goals allowed per game.
yAurora was helped by Robert Angiolella, who registered one goal. Angiolella scored on the power play 19:20 into the second period to make the score 4-3 yBuffalo. A tripping penalty on Nolan Sheeran had put the Tigers on the power play. Michael Laidley picked up the assist. Adam DiBrina also scored for yAurora. More assists for yAurora came via Dylan Sikura, who had two and Austin Rigney, Noah Delmas, Tyler Boston, and Kory Kennedy, who each chipped in one.
The Jr. Sabres’ Mueller stopped 35 shots out of the 39 that he faced. yBuffalo incurred 10 minutes in penalty time with five minors. yAurora incurred four minutes in penalty time with two minors.
