Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550/WBEN) - Colten Ellis made 26 saves in his first career NHL start, helping lead the Buffalo Sabres to a 4-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday night at KeyBank Center.
The Sabres had a pair of power play chances right at the start of the game, but failed to capitalize on either of them to keep the game scoreless. Simon Edvinsson was called for tripping just 35 seconds into the game, followed less than three minutes later by a James van Riemsdyk hooking minor.
Ellis did not face his first shot on goal against until more than halfway through the first period. Ellis made five saves in the opening 20 minutes, including a late save on a breakaway attempt by Marco Kasper.
Buffalo was credited with 12 shots.
The Red Wings struck first early in the second period for a one-goal lead over Buffalo.
Former Sabres draft pick J.T. Compher was able to establish position at the top of the blue paint in front of Ellis, and slammed home the game's first goal on the rebound. Compher's first goal of the season came three minutes into the period.
Jack Quinn and Jason Zucker had the answer for Buffalo later in the second period, converting on a give-and-go chance in front of Red Wings goalie John Gibson.
The goal was Zucker's fourth of the season to tie the game at 1-1 just past the nine-minute mark. Quinn and Conor Timmins were credited with the assists.
Quinn, once again, helped create a scoring chance that led to a Sabres goal.
This time, the puck went from his stick into the slot, finding Tyson Kozak, who scored his second goal of the season for Buffalo.
Quinn and Mattias Samuelsson recorded the assists on the Sabres' go-ahead goal with less than four minutes remaining in the second period.
However, Detroit was able to answer with Emmitt Finnie's third goal of the year. Dylan Larkin made the pass into the slot that helped set up the scoring chance.
Larkin received the primary assist, with Moritz Seider receiving the secondary helper. The goal tied the game at 2-2 late in the middle frame.
Quinn's multi-point night was extended by his third goal of the season in the third period. He buried a one-time shot from the blue line after a pass from Ryan McLeod while on the power play.
The goal gave Quinn three points on the night. McLeod and Bowen Byram assisted on the goal that restored Buffalo's one-goal lead, 3-2.
Josh Doan doubled Buffalo's lead to 4-2 with his third goal of the season just under four minutes later.
McLeod, once again, made the pass that helped create the goal. He and Timmins were awarded the assists on Doan's first point of the night.
From there, Ellis stood tall in the Buffalo net, making 27 saves in total to secure his first NHL win in his first start in the league.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: NONE
DET: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 11:37 - Jason Zucker (4) (Jack Quinn, Conor Timmins); 16:28 - Tyson Kozak (2) (Jack Quinn, Mattias Samuelsson)
DET: 3:00 - J.T. Compher (1) (Albert Johansson, Jonatan Berggren); 18:20 - Emmitt Finnie (3) (Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond)
Third Period:
BUF: 4:15 - Jack Quinn (3) PPG (Ryan McLeod, Bowen Byram); 8:10 - Josh Doan (3) (Ryan McLeod, Conor Timmins)
DET: NONE
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Blue Star Home Services Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Colten Ellis - BUF
2.) Jack Quinn - BUF
3.) Tyson Kozak - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres will remain on home ice to welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday night for the first of two-Straight games between the teams.
The game is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN+ and Hulu at 7 p.m., meaning the only place to hear Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray is on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. Pregame coverage with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog begins at 6 p.m.