JR. SABRES STAVE OFF ELIMINATION
(pictured - Buffalo Jr. Sabres captain Derek Patterson & OJHL scoring champion Tyler Gjurich line-up for a draw - photo credit: Graeme Reid/OJHL Images)
With the team's playoff survival at stake, Buffalo Jr. Sabres head coach and general manager Michael Peca called up three affiliated rookies to stir up his roster and get something going. His gamble paid off, as one of those rookies scored the game winning goal to keep Buffalo alive in its second round playoff series against the North York Rangers.
Michael Ederer scored the game winner at the 8:54 mark of the third period, giving Buffalo its needed win, 2-1. The victory cuts North York's lead to three games to two in the South-West Conference semi-final.
Taylor Price gave the Rangers the 1-0 lead at the 18:31 mark of the opening period. Buffalo then evened the score at the 13:39 mark of the second period on a power play goal by Tyler Gjurich. That was all the scoring until Ederer's third period shot went off the glove of North York goaltender Jason Puccarelli and into the net.
Jr. Sabres goaltender Parker Gahagen stopped 37 Ranger shots and played one of his better games of the series, three times bailing out his teammates after defensive mistakes gave North York excellent scoring opportunities.
Game Six will be played on Friday night at North York beginning at 7:00pm. Should Buffalo win and force Game Seven, it will be held on Saturday night at the Northtown Center at Amherst (the only home game Buffalo is scheduled to host at its true home rink) beginning at 7:30pm.
For a full game summary, please CLICK HERE.
SW Conference Semi-Final:
Game One North York 5 @ Buffalo 1 (NYR leads series 1-0)
Game Two Buffalo 2 @ North York 4 (NYR leads series 2-0)
Game Three North York 4 @ Buffalo 5 (OT) (NYR leads series 2-1)
Game Four Buffalo 1 @ North York 4 (NYR leads series 3-1)
Game Five North York 1 @ Buffalo 2 (NYR leads series 3-2)
Game Six Buffalo @ North York March 22 (if necessary)
Game Seven North York @ Buffalo March 23 (if necessary)
