Ederer nets hat trick, leads Buffalo to 7-2 win over Burlington
A hat trick by Michael Ederer was the highlight in Jr. Sabres' 7-2 win against the Burlington Cougars.
Ederer notched his first tally 3:27 into the first period. He then added goals at 3:34 into the first and at 17:57 into the third.
Referees had their hands full with a major incident at 3:42 into the third period. Four fighting penalties were dished out along with two game misconducts.
The Buffalo Jr. Sabres were often in penalty trouble, totaling 10 minors and one major for 25 minutes in penalty time. Buffalo had been averaging 15.0 minutes in penalties per game. The Jr. Sabres' penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on five Burlington power plays. Buffalo kept Burlington's goalie busy throughout the game, and Jeremy Currie made 41 saves on 48 shots. The Jr. Sabres' goal total was higher than their season average. This season, Buffalo averages 4.6 goals per contest.
Buffalo also got points from Ryan Kuhn, who also tallied one goal and one assist and Max Mikowski, who also racked up two goals and one assist. Darren McCormick also scored for Buffalo. More assists for Buffalo came via Josh Gabriel, Mason Evans, Nick Desimone, Nico Gonzalez, Tim Kielich, and Dylan Gamble, who contributed one a piece.
The the Cougars penalty box was a popular destination as the team totaled seven minors and one major for 29 minutes in penalty time. The total exceeded the 23.0 minutes per game Burlington had been spending in the box. The Cougars stifled the Jr. Sabres' power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. Burlington forced Buffalo goalie Joseph Pianta to work between the pipes, taking 33 shots.
Joseph Pianta made 31 saves for the Jr. Sabres on 33 shots. Buffalo registered zero goals on three power play opportunities. For the Jr. Sabres, Gamble and Jason Heerdt were ejected from the contest. Team's Paolo DeSousa and Tyler Lepore were slapped with misconducts and ejected from the game.
