Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was the star of Monday's mantinee affair between the Buffalo Sabres and the San Jose Sharks, as he stopped all 28 shots faced to recorded his second career shutout in a 3-0 win at KeyBank Center.
A rather uneventful first period saw both teams playing a dump and chase style game for most of the period. As a result, scoring chances were limited for either team.
The second period saw things start to open up for both teams.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 11 saves in the second, and continued to look really strong over the course of his last few starts.
Finally, the Sabres were able to solve their scoring slump with a couple of goals in the middle stanza.
Casey Mittelstadt opened the scoring by ripping his 12th goal of the season with a shot that just beat Sharks goalie Kaapo Kahkonen under his arm. Ryan Johnson and Kyle Okposo got the assists on the goal.
Then after a Sharks penalty, Alex Tuch also scored his 12th of the season from Mittelstadt and Jack Quinn.
In the third period, the Sabres did a good job of limiting San Jose's chances, while trying to build their lead. JJ Peterka had an opportunity that was stopped by Kahkonen.
Then with around three minutes left in regulation, Jordan Greenway sealed the win with an empty-net goal to make it a 3-0 Sabres advantage.
Buffalo would pin the Sharks in their own end for most of the remaining time to close things out.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: NONE
SJS: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 11:34 - Casey Mittelstadt (12) (Kyle Okposo, Ryan Johnson); 14:37 - Alex Tuch (12) PPG (Jack Quinn, Casey Mittelstadt)
SJS: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: 16:34 - Jordan Greenway (4) ENG (Casey Mittelstadt, Rasmus Dahlin)
SJS: NONE
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Losi & Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen - BUF
2.) Casey Mittelstadt - BUF
3.) Alex Tuch - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres continue their homestand on Wednesday night when they host the Chicago Blackhawks at KeyBank Center in Downtown Buffalo. Faceoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EST, and the only place to catch Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray on the play-by-play action is the official voice of the Sabres - WGR Sports Radio 550.