Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Sabres earned a big 4-1 victory against the top team in the Eastern Conference on Sunday afternoon, taking down the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center.
Jack Quinn scored the game-winner for Buffalo, while Ryan McLeod assisted on two goals in the win.
Buffalo took advantage of an early delay of game call against the Hurricanes and converted on the power play, as McLeod set up Alex Tuch for a wide-open goal.
Buffalo thought they took a two-goal lead minutes later as Jacob Bryson scored, but the goal was called off due to goalie interference. Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff challenged the call, but it was unsuccessful and Buffalo was penalized for delay of game.
Later in the period, the Hurricanes evened the game at 1-1 on the power play, as defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere had an open net after Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen got knocked down and was out of position.
The Sabres took the lead back early in the second period on a great shift in the offensive zone, as Quinn convert on a feed from McLeod.
Late in the second period, it was a beautiful individual effort from winger Beck Malenstyn to deke the defender and score in alone to extend the Sabres' lead to 3-1.
The score remained the same until late in the third period after Carolina pulled the goaltender for an extra attacker. It was Tage Thompson scoring on the empty net to seal the 4-1 victory for Buffalo.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: 5:51 - Alex Tuch (8) PPG (Ryan McLeod, Josh Doan)
CAR: 14:36 - Shayne Gostisbehere (2) PPG (Unassisted)
Second Period:
BUF: 3:55 - Jack Quinn (5) (Ryan McLeod, Jason Zucker); 18:36 - Beck Malenstyn (2) (Peyton Krebs, Tyson Kozak)
CAR: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: 19:38 - Tage Thompson (12) ENG (Zach Benson)
CAR: NONE
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Blue Star Home Services Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Ryan McLeod - BUF
2.) Beck Malenstyn - BUF
3.) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres hit the road to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night for a 7 p.m. puck drop at PPG Paints Arena. Tune into WGR Sports Radio 550, starting with pregame coverage at 6 p.m. with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog.