The Buffalo Jr. Sabres gutted out a close 4-2 win against the Orangeville Flyers.
Each team kept the other at bay throughout the game, and David Baskerville secured the win for Buffalo with a goal in the third period.
The Jr. Sabres’ penalty kill excelled, as Buffalo gave up zero goals despite allowing six power plays.
The Jr. Sabres were led by Baskerville, who racked up one goal. Baskerville scored 1:51 into the third period to make the score 3-2 Buffalo. Christian Zimmerman assisted on the tally.
Buffalo was relatively well disciplined in the game, receiving only seven minors and one major for 19 minutes in penalty time. The Jr. Sabres stayed under their season average of 25.0 penalties minutes per game this season. Buffalo forced Orangeville’s netminders to work in net, finishing with 34 shots and forcing 30 saves. Kasimir Krol made 22 stops and Nicholas Latinovich made eight. The Jr. Sabres stifled the Flyers’ power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man.
Buffalo also got points from Zimmerman, who also had one goal and one assist to lead the team in points. Buffalo also had goals scored by Tim Nicksic and Nicholas Bondra, who scored one goal each. In addition, Buffalo received assists from Evan Bennett, Christopher Berger, Bryce Ferrell, and Ryan Wheeler, who each chipped in one.
Orangeville’s penalty box was a popular destination as the team totaled seven minors and one major for 19 minutes in penalty time. The total exceeded the 15.0 minutes per game the Flyers had been spending in the box.
Orangeville was helped by Zack Vukosa, who registered one goal. Vukosa scored 7:02 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Orangeville. Zack Lyons picked up the assist. Orangeville also got a goal from Colin Rigney as well. More assists for Orangeville came via James Ranson and Lucas Smilsky, who contributed one each.
Tucker Weppner made 22 saves for Buffalo on 24 shots. The Jr. Sabres registered one goal on five power play opportunities. The Flyers ran into serious disciplinary problems during the contest, and Rigney was ejected from the game.
