BUFFALO, N.Y. – Buffalo paid host to several teams showing off their prospects at the LECOM Harborcenter this past weekend. On Monday, the Buffalo Sabres faced the Pittsburgh Penguins – the last game of a long tournament. Both teams were visibly exhausted from the weekend, but the Penguins would hold on and win 8-5.
The first period started off strong between both teams. Viktor Neuchev scored the first goal for the Sabres, and Juri Kulich scored shortly after – Isak Rosen getting the primary assist on both goals. Avery Hayes responded for the Penguins near the end of the period, making it 2-1 Buffalo.
Hayes would open up the scoring in the second period, getting another assist from Tristan Broz. Hayes followed that up again, this time Rutger McGroarty getting the assist. Buffalo came back with their star from the tournament, Kulich, again getting set up by Rosen. Pittsburgh finished off the second period strong, getting two more goals. The first from Ville Koivunen and the second from Mathieu De St. Phalle.
The final period saw more goals from both teams, and multiple shoving matches – all players in the tournament were highly competitive and didn’t let off until the final whistle. Neuchev scored again for Buffalo. Tristian Broz, and Logan Pietila scored for the Penguins. The Sabres responded with Anton Wahlberg, but McGroarty would score the final goal for the Penguins.
Final shots on goal were 34 for Buffalo, and 36 for Pittsburgh. Scott Ratzlaff started for the Sabres, and Ryerson Leenders took over halfway through the game. Taylor Gauthier started in net for the Penguins, and Sergei Murashov also took over halfway through the game.
Checkout this photo gallery from Inside The Rink’s Photographer, Brett Ballachino, for highlights from the game.
