Columbus, Ohio (WGR 550) - Despite fighting back to tie the hockey game in the second period, the Buffalo Sabres could not manage to get ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday night.
The blue and gold ended up falling to the Blue Jackets, 5-3, in the penultimate preseason game of 2023 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus.
The Blue Jackets were off and running on this night, as they peppered Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen early and were rewarded twice in the first 10 minutes of the game.
Forward Patrik Laine got things started at the 6:15 mark, as he wired a quick shot from the left circle. Johnny Gaudreau found Laine from behind Luukkonen's net.
Columbus doubled down three minutes later when forward Emil Bemstrom jumped all over a rebound in front of Buffalo's netminder for a power play goal.
The Sabres cut their deficit in half just two-and-a-half minutes later when Zemgus Girgensons got in on the action. The veteran forward ripped a shot from a difficult angle that fooled everyone in Columbus into thinking it never even went in.
The 2-1 score only lasted 23 seconds into the second period when Gaudreau scored in front of Luukkonen to up Columbus' lead to 3-1.
The Sabres battled back, though, and evened the score on the backs of goals from a pair of young skaters.
First, it was defenseman Owen Power tossing a backhand towards the net that found its way behind Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins to cut the deficit to 3-2.
Then with 1:15 remaining in the second period, 2023 first-round pick Zach Benson added to his strong preseason effort with a goal just after exiting the penalty box.
The Blue Jackets pulled back in front in the third period of play, as forward Adam Fantilli fired a shot that eluded Luukkonen to give Columbus a 4-3 edge.
Columbus iced things later on with an empty-net goal from Kirill Marchenko with just 1:28 remaining in regulation.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 11:38 - Zemgus Girgensons (Ryan Johnson, Mattias Samuelsson)
CBJ: 6:15 - Patrik Laine (Johnny Gaudreau, Jake Bean); 9:04 - Emil Bemstrom (PPG) (Ivan Provorov, Damon Severson)
Second Period:
BUF: 13:53 - Owen Power (JJ Peterka); 18:45 - Zach Benson (Mattias Samuelsson)
CBJ: 0:23 - Johnny Gaudreau (Kirill Marchenko, Patrik Laine)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
CBJ: 8:43 - Adam Fantilli (Ivan Provorov, Damon Severson); 18:32 - Kirill Marchenko (Unassisted)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 7:04 - Alex Tuch (Slashing - 2 min.)
CBJ: 11:51 - Damon Severson (Holding - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 16:32 - Zach Benson (Hooking - 2 min.)
CBJ: 15:28 - Kirill Marchenko (Holding - 2 min.); 19:44 - Erik Gudbranson (High-sticking - 4 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
CBJ: NONE
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Patrik Laine - CBJ
2.) Johnny Gaudreau - CBJ
3.) Ivan Provorov - CBJ
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What's next:
The Sabres wrap up the 2023 preseason at home on Friday against the Pittsburgh Penguins at KeyBank Center in Downtown Buffalo. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m. ET with all the play-by-play action available on the radio home of the Sabres - WGR Sports Radio 550.