Casey Mittelstadt scored a pair of goals for the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night, but it was not enough in a 5-3 preseason loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets at KeyBank Center.
The Blue Jackets scored first thanks to an early power play against Buffalo. Jakub Voracek was credited with the game's first goal while defenseman Jacob Bryson was in the penalty box for hooking.
Sabres defenseman Colin Miller was penalized for cross-checking following the Voracek goal. Luckily for Buffalo, Columbus failed to score on their back-to-back power play chance.
The Blue Jackets extended their lead to 2-0 midway through the opening period thanks to a turnover in the Buffalo zone. Emil Bemstrom stole the puck from Rasmus Dahlin at the blue line and was able to beat goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for the unassisted score.
Casey Mittelstadt was able to find a loose puck after Vinnie Hinostroza missed the net with a shot from the slot and get the Sabres on the scoreboard. Mittelstadt found the top corner of the net to cut the deficit to 2-1 late in the opening stanza.
Columbus extended the lead back to a pair, 3-1, thanks to an early power play chance in the second period. Boone Jenner capitalized on the man advantage while Hinostroza sat for cross-checking. Voracek and Patrik Laine were credited with the assists.
The Blue Jackets would close the middle stanza with a 5-1 lead thanks to a pair of goals late in the second period. Laine and Oliver Bjorkstrand each scored at even strength for Columbus.
J-J Peterka scored on the Sabres' first shot of the third period to cut the deficit to 5-2 midway through the final frame.
Mittelstadt scored his second goal of the night to bring Buffalo to within two goals, 5-3, partway through the final period. The forward used a Columbus defender as a shield before beating goalie Daniil Tarasov with a shot from the right wing faceoff dot.
The Sabres finished with 10 shots on goal in the final period, but could not get within a goal.
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GAME SUMMARY
Goal Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 17:12 - Casey Mittelstadt (1) (Vinnie Hinostroza, Jeff Skinner)
CBJ: 3:31 - Jakub Voracek (1) PPG (Oliver Bjorkstrand, Zach Werenski); 12:49 - Emil Bemstrom (2) (Unassisted)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
CBJ: 1:35 - Boone Jenner (3) PPG (Jakub Voracek, Patrik Laine); 16:12 - Patrik Laine (1) (Jakub Voracek); 17:24 - Oliver Bjorkstrand (3) (Gustav Nyquist, Zach Werenski)
Third Period:
BUF: 6:26 - J-J Peterka (2) (Rasmus Asplund); 11:15 - Casey Mittelstadt (2) (Jeff Skinner)
CBJ: NONE
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 2:38 - Jacob Bryson (Hooking - 2 min.); 3:31 - Colin Miller (Cross-checking - 2 min.)
CBJ: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 0:51 - Vinnie Hinostroza (Cross-checking - 2 min.)
CBJ: 13:17 - Boone Jenner (Hooking - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
CBJ: NONE
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What's Next:
The Sabres will head to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins on Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray will have the play-by-play call of the action, while pregame coverage with Brian Koziol begins at 6:45 p.m. ET.
***Photo: Michelina Michaelina (@MiMiV4682)
