The Buffalo Jr. Sabres faced a rough Toronto Jr. Canadiens team on Friday, ending their four-game winning streak in a 3-0 loss.
Nicholas Jarzabek and former Jr. Sabres forward Nico Gonzalez scored for the Jr. Canadiens, while Daniel Lopapa had 25 saves in the shutout victory.
Buffalo took three penalties in the first period but were luckily able to kill those off scot-free. Near the close of the opening frame, however, Jarzabek tapped one in make it 1-0 Toronto. Justin Maiolino and Anthony Trujillo registered assists.
The second period turned out to be a more physical one, with a combined 16 penalty minutes handed out between the two teams.
That included several penalties after a scrum in front of the Buffalo bench, and additional minors handed out after a debacle along the boards that led to Buffalo’s Brenden Dunning being helped off the ice.
Gonzalz made it 2-0 Toronto just over the halfway point of the game, with assists credited to Matthew Ferrari and David Zeppieri.
Though the Jr. Sabres fought to get back in the third period, it wasn’t enough. Overall, the Jr. Canadiens won the battles and eventually walked away with two points out of Friday’s game despite going 0-for-5 on the power play, including a two-minute 5-on-3.
Eric Eremita had the empty-netter for the Jr. Canadiens to dash any hopes of a last-minute comeback for Buffalo.
Tucker Weppner had 15 saves in the loss.
The Jr. Sabres return to action on Saturday night as they visit the Orangeville Flyers for a 7 pm puck drop.
They’ll then return home for a Veterans Day matchup against the Trenton Golden Hawks at 7:35 pm at HARBORCENTER. Veterans, seniors and children under 5 get free admission; others can get in for just $5.
