The Buffalo Jr. Sabres are 2-3-0-0 after the first five games of the 2016-2017 Ontario Junior Hockey League season. In case you missed any of the action, here’s a quick recap of the week behind us.
Buffalo opened its season with a 5-3 loss to the Orangeville Flyers at HARBORCENTER on Saturday, September 10. The Flyers struck first, but Buffalo rallied late in the opening frame to tie the game and take the lead. Orangeville powered back with a four-goal third period, to Buffalo’s one, to capture the victory.
The following afternoon, the Jr. Sabres faced an 8-4 loss to the Whitby Fury, after Whitby put up an astounding six goals in the first period. Although Buffalo was able to tally a couple in each of the last two periods, it wasn’t enough of an effort to overcome the deficit.
After two days off, Buffalo returned to action, visiting the Toronto Patriots on September 14. Despite being outshot, the Jr. Sabres captured their first win of the season, thanks in part to a pair of goals from first-year OJHLer Cameron Radziwon. Billy McGwin and Christian DiFelice also scored in the 4-1 win.
The Jr. Sabres then faced another pair of consecutive road games, visiting Georgetown and the Toronto Jr. Canadiens on September 17 & 18. Buffalo would drop the first game of the series in a forgettable 8-3 loss that saw the two teams combine for 92 penalty minutes.
Buffalo would rally back the following night to capture a 4-3 overtime victory over the Jr. C’s. Erik Urbank, Michael Faliero and Nick Alfieri all scored in the second period, with Radziwon notching the game-winning on the power-play 1:55 into the extra frame.
Forwards Cameron Radziwon, Christian DiFelice, Michael Faliero and Erik Urbank lead the Jr. Sabres with five points each on the season thus far. Radziwon has tallied five goals in as many games, including a pair on the man advantage.
Jack Tucker leads Buffalo defenders with four points, all assists, while netminders Tucker Weppner and Alex Camarre have each registered one win.
The week ahead is a light one for Buffalo, as they visit Mississauga for an 8 p.m. tilt on September 24. The team then faces three games in five days between September 26 and 30, including a pair of games during the OJHL Governor’s Showcase at HARBORCENTER.
