The Orangeville Flyers tried their best to erase a four-goal deficit, but the Buffalo Jr. Sabres would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 6-4.
Buffalo made the score 6-2 on a goal by Dylan Seitz at 18:19 in the second period, and Orangeville got as close as 6-4 when Brett Bannister scored 16:18 into the third period.
Joshua Biasillo was all over the ice for the Jr. Sabres, as he tallied two goals and one assist in the win. Biasillo scored the first of his two goals on the power play at 11:48 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Buffalo. A head contact penalty on Bannister had put Buffalo on the power play. Tim Nicksic assisted on the tally. Biasillo’s next tally on the power play made the score 2-0 Buffalo with 1:24 left in the first period. The Jr. Sabres had gotten the advantage when the Flyers’ Ethan Wiseman was sent off for boarding. Matthew Buchbinder picked up the assist.
Buffalo forced Orangeville’s goaltenders to work between the pipes, taking 36 shots and forcing 30 saves. Kasimir Krol made 20 stops and Nicholas Latinovich made 10. The Jr. Sabres’ penalty killing units received substantial work throughout the game as Buffalo finished with 52 penalty minutes.
Buffalo also got points from Nicksic, who also tallied one goal and one assist. Others who scored for Buffalo included Griffin Lunn and Michael Benaquist Jr., who scored one goal each. More assists for Buffalo came via Andrew Pizzo, who had two and Bryce Ferrell, Zach Evancho, and David Baskerville, who each chipped in one.
The Jr. Sabres were unable to stop the Flyers from sending pucks towards the net, and Orangeville eventually piled up 47 shots on goal. The Flyers’ defense let in more goals than it usually has this year. Orangeville averages 2.5 goals allowed per game. The Flyers could not stay out of the penalty box, as the team accrued 52 minutes in penalties during the game.
Orangeville was led by James McLaughlin, who had one goal and one assist. McLaughlin scored on the power play 19:35 into the first period to make the score 2-1 Buffalo. The Flyers had gained a power play chance when Ryan Wheeler was whistled for hooking. Colin Rigney provided the assist. Orangeville also had goals scored by Connor Stack and Derek Topatigh, who each put in one. In addition, Orangeville received assists from Josh DeFarias, who had two and Zack Lyons, Jarret Woon Sam, and Ryan Barbosa, who contributed one each.
Brian Kowalski made 43 saves for Buffalo on 47 shots. The Jr. Sabres registered four goals on nine power play opportunities. Orangeville registered three goals on nine power play opportunities.
