The Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs squared off outside on Sunday in Hamilton, Ontario for the 2022 Heritage Classic. This was the 35th outdoor game in NHL history, and the first outdoor game between these two long-time rivals.
It was two goals from Vinnie Hinostroza and Peyton Krebs that helped lift the Sabres to their first outdoor win, a 5-2 victory at Tim Hortons Field.
After a scoreless first period, the Toronto Maple Leafs struck first 40 seconds into the second period. Ondrej Kase scored his 12th goal of the season off a faceoff in the offensive zone. The goal was assisted by William Nylander and John Tavares.
The Sabres quickly answered with a goal from Peyton Krebs to tie the game moments later. It was Krebs' second goal in as many games, and was assisted by Hinostroza and Robert Hagg.
The tie was short-lived, however, as league-leading goal scorer Auston Matthews netted his 45th goal of the year just 90 seconds later. The goal was assisted by Alex Kerfoot and T.J. Brodie.
The Sabres and Hinostroza found a way to tie things at 2-2 midway through the second period. The Sabres winger came down the right wing and threw the puck at the front of the net, where it re-directed off Brodie's skate and into the net. Tage Thompson and Mattias Samuelsson were credited with assists on the goal.
Hinostroza did it again off a third period faceoff by throwing the puck at the net from the corner. Goal No. 2 of the game for Hinostroza gave the Sabres the 3-2 lead early on in the third period. The goal was unassisted.
Krebs also scored his second of the day in the third after a controversial goal call from the referees when the net came out of place to give the Sabres a 4-2 lead. This time, his goal was assisted by Dylan Cozens and Kyle Okposo.
Tage Thompson ended the evening with an empty netter for his 24th goal of the year.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
TOR: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 1:22 - Peyton Krebs (5) (Vinnie Hinostroza, Robert Hagg); 10:53 - Vinnie Hinostroza (9) (Tage Thompson, Mattias Samuelsson)
TOR: 0:40 - Ondrej Kase (12) (William Nylander, John Tavares); 2:57 - Auston Matthews (45) (Alex Kerfoot, TJ Brodie)
Third Period:
BUF: 5:16 - Vinnie Hinostroza (10) (Unassisted); 13:49 - Peyton Krebs (6) (Dylan Cozens, Kyle Okposo); 17:35 - Tage Thompson (24) ENG (Unassisted)
TOR: NONE
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 18:04 - Vinnie Hinostroza (Roughing - 2 min.); 18:04 - Henri Jokiharju (Roughing - 2 min.)
TOR: 18:04 - Pierre Engvall (Roughing - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 5:53 - John Hayden (Hooking - 2 min.)
TOR: 18:35 - Ilya Lyubushkin (Hooking - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 14:55 - Rasmus Dahlin (Cross-checking - 2 min.); 16:41 - Kyle Okposo (Tripping - 2 min.); 18:17 - Dylan Cozens (10-minute misconduct); 18:17 - Tage Thompson (10-minute misconduct)
TOR: 1:38 - Timothy Liljegren (Tripping - 2 min.); 8:49 - TJ Brodie (Hooking - 2 min.); 14:55 - Auston Matthews (Cross-checking - 2 min.); 18:17 - Michael Bunting (Roughing - 2 min.; 10-minute misconduct); 18:17 - Ilya Mikheyev (10-minute misconduct)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Peyton Krebs - BUF
2.) Vinnie Hinostroza - BUF
3.) Ondrej Kase - TOR
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What's next:
The Sabres will head out to Western Canada for a three-game road trip, with their first opponent being the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. Faceoff is set for 9 p.m. EST with pregame coverage on WGR starting at 8 p.m. EST with Brian Koziol.
