Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - Casey Mittelstadt scored the game-winning goal in overtime on Friday night at KeyBank Center, as the Buffalo Sabres completed another comeback against the Chicago Blackhawks with a 3-2 win in Rick Jeanneret's last broadcast of his Hall of Fame career.
The Sabres and Blackhawks traded power plays in the first period, but neither team was able to hit the back of the net. Dustin Tokarski made nine saves in the scoreless first.
A highlight from the opening period was Buffalo Bills first-round pick Kaiir Elam was introduced to KeyBank Center, as he attended Friday's game with Josh Allen and Dawson Knox. Allen was seen firing up the crowd, as Elam was seen on the Jumbotron.
The Blackhawks got on the board in the second period as Dominik Kubalik scored midway through the stanza. The Sabres finished the period on the power play, but still could not get one past Blackhawks goalie Collin Delia.
Tage Thompson tied the game early in third period with a great feed from Jeff Skinner, making it 1-1. The goal was Thompson's team-leading 38th of the season.
Dylan Strome gave the Blackhawks the lead back again, as he re-directed a pass to the front of the net from Caleb Jones past Tokarski.
However, the Sabres came right back to tie the game at 2-2, as Owen Power netted his second goal of the year, and his first in front of the home crowd.
The Sabres and Blackhawks headed to overtime after remaining tied through regulation, and at the 2:07 mark, it was Casey netting the game-winner on a rebound in front of the net.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
CHI: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
CHI: 11:13 - Dominik Kubalik (15) (Alex Vlasic, Tyler Johnson)
Third Period:
BUF: 4:16 - Tage Thompson (38) (Jeff Skinner), 14:22 - Owen Power (2) (Unassisted)
CHI: 10:33 - Dylan Strome (22) (Caleb Jones, Alex DeBrincat)
Overtime:
BUF: 2:07 - Casey Mittelstadt (6) (Dylan Cozens, Henri Jokiharju)
CHI: NONE
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 9:58 - Rasmus Dahlin (Tripping - 2 min.)
CHI: 5:54 - Sam Lafferty (Hooking - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
CHI: 18:13 - Jake McCabe (Tripping - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
CHI: NONE
Overtime:
BUF: NONE
CHI: NONE
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Tage Thompson - BUF
2.) Owen Power - BUF
3.) Dustin Tokarski - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres will hold locker room cleanout over the weekend with select players speaking on Saturday and Sunday. Both Sabres head coach Don Granato and general manager Kevyn Adams will speak on Tuesday.