Winnipeg, Manitoba (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Sabres felt the wrath of the Winnipeg Jets on Friday night. Atoning for Monday's loss in Buffalo, Winnipeg laid claim to their own home win, 4-1, at Canada Life Centre.
Winnipeg was off and running first this time. 4:24 into the first period, forward Kyle Connor was lost in coverage by the Sabres' defense. He loomed by Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen long enough to accept a pass from linemate Gabriel Vilardi, then cash in his own rebound after Luukkonen made the initial stop.
The Sabres tied things up before period's end. With Jets forward Jonathan Toews in the penalty box, Buffalo's powerplay continued to produce.
For a third-straight game, Jason Zucker scored a man-advantage goal; this one much like Connor's earlier. Zucker was able to get swipes at his own initial shot and buried the rebound to make it 1-1.
2:22 into the second period, the Jets re-took the lead. Veteran forward Tanner Pearson got loose on a breakaway and turned the tides early in the frame, at 2-1 Winnipeg.
Late in the middle stanza, the Jets buried a tough one after some close calls on the other end from the Sabres. Forward Cole Koepke came down the left side and snuck a backhand behind Luukkonen to make it 3-1 just ahead of the third.
It was not much of a push in the third from the Sabres; rather sloppy. The score would've been worse had a Mark Scheifele goal not been called back for offside.
Regardless, the Jets still salted things away, officially, with an empty-net goal from Gabriel Vilardi inside the final minute. The Sabres are now 0-2-0 on the six-game road trip after this 4-1 defeat at Manitoba.
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SCORING SUMMARY:
First Period:
BUF: 14:44 - Jason Zucker (9) PPG (Josh Norris, Rasmus Dahlin)
WPG: 4:24 - Kyle Connor (15) (Gabriel Vilardi, Dylan Samberg)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
WPG: 2:22 - Tanner Pearson (4) (Cole Koepke); 18:42 - Cole Koepke (1) (Morgan Barron, Dylan DeMelo)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
WPG: 19:26 - Gabriel Vilardi (12) ENG (Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele)
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Blue Star Home Services Three Stars of the Game:
1. Cole Koepke - WPG
2. Eric Comrie - WPG
3. Tanner Pearson - WPG
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What's Next:
The road trip rolls into Alberta on Monday night, December 8 when the Sabres visit the Calgary Flames. Puck drop at Scotiabank Saddledome is set for 9 p.m. EST with Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray on the call.