Philadelphia, Pa. (WGR 550) - A three-game road trip ended unceremoniously for the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night, as they got their lunch money taken by the Philadelphia Flyers, 5-2, at Wells Fargo Center.
The home side opened the scoring late in the first period on a power play chance. Philadelphia defenseman Cam York fed Owen Tippett by the right-wing circle, and the winger fired a wrist shot past Craig Anderson for the 1-0 Flyers advantage.
The Flyers took their lead and quadrupled it in the middle stanza as they completely dominated the Sabres in the second period of play. Philadelphia got their three second period goals from forwards Joel Farabee, Tippett again, and James van Riemsdyk.
Victor Olofsson got Buffalo on the board to give the Sabres some life with a power play goal just 2:27 into the third period to make the score 4-1, Philadelphia.
However, the power play tally couldn't spark a comeback, as Tippett completed his first-career hat-trick a little more than three minutes later.
Olofsson scored again on the power play with just 0.4 seconds remaining to make the score a 5-2 in favor of the Flyers.
It was a disappointing night, and another missed opportunity for the blue and gold to gain necessary ground in the Eastern Conference Wild Card hunt. The Washington Capitals lost in regulation, and the Florida Panthers and New York Islanders were idle.
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GAME RECAP:
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
PHI: 15:10 - Owen Tippett (19) PPG (Cam York, Tony DeAngelo)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
PHI: 3:53 - Joel Farabee (10) (Tyson Foerster, Kevin Hayes); 13:14 - Owen Tippett (20) (Kevin Hayes, Ivan Provorov); 18:21 - James van Riemsdyk (10) (Scott Laughton)
Third Period:
BUF: 2:27 - Victor Olofsson (25) PPG (Owen Power, Casey Mittelstadt); 19:59 - Victor Olofsson (26) PPG (Zemgus Girgensons, Casey Mittelstadt)
PHI: 5:33 - Owen Tippett (21) (Nick Seeler, Tony DeAngelo)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 14:24 - Jeff Skinner (Interference - 2 min.)
PHI: 7:37 - Nicolas Deslauriers (Cross-checking - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 19:09 - Peyton Krebs (Roughing - 2 min.); 19:09 - Kyle Okposo (Roughing - 2 min.)
PHI: 19:09 - Nick Seeler (Roughing - 2 min.); 19:09 - Wade Allison (Roughing - 2 min.); 19:09 - Nicolas Deslauriers (10-minute misconduct)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
PHI: 0:39 - Scott Laughton (Hooking - 2 min.); 17:54 - Ivan Provorov (Cross-checking - 2 min.); 19:43 - Nick Seeler (High sticking - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Owen Tippett - PHI
2.) Kevin Hayes - PHI
3.) Tony DeAngelo - PHI
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What's next:
The blue and gold return home to host the NHL's best Boston Bruins on Sunday at KeyBank Center. Puck drop is set for 1 p.m. ET with pregame coverage starting at 12 p.m. ET with Brian Koziol on the flagship home of the Sabres - WGR Sports Radio 550.