Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres opened their home preseason schedule on Tuesday night with a 4-1 victory over the visiting Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center.
Buffalo was able to take advantage of an early power play chance to score the game's first goal and enjoy a 1-0 lead through the opening period. Tage Thompson made the initial pass, while 2023 first-round pick Zach Benson fed the puck to Jeff Skinner, who converted on a one-time opportunity.
2022 first-round pick Jiri Kulich was whistled for a pair of penalties in the first period, but the Sabres were able to kill both off. His first minor was for high-sticking just over three minutes into the game, while he followed that with a hooking minor midway through the frame.
Sabres rookie goalie Devon Levi stopped all 11 Bruins shots on goal in the opening period, while Kyle Keyser made 10 saves for Boston.
Buffalo scored quickly in the second period to double its lead to 2-0. This time, it was defenseman Riley Stillman scoring his first goal of the preseason at even strength with a point shot that found its way in through traffic.
Halfway through the period, Boston had not been credited with a shot on goal. They finished the frame with six shots and, once again, Levi did not allow a goal.
The 21-year-old was replaced by Devin Cooley, as expected, in the third period. Levi stopped all 19 shots faced in two periods of hockey.
Several nice saves in the defensive end by Cooley allowed the Sabres to travel down the ice and convert partway through the third period. Casey Mittelstadt made a cross-ice pass to Brandon Biro, who wired his chance past goalie Michael DiPietro, who entered the game for Boston to start Period 3.
Boston was able to snap the shutout bid with just over two minutes remaining in regulation. Oskar Steen was credited with the goal that cut Buffalo's lead to 3-1.
However, Filip Cederqvist scored an empty net goal with under two seconds remaining in the game to secure the three-goal victory, 4-1.
The Sabres finished the night with 35 shots on goal, while Boston was credited with 38 shots in the loss.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 3:22 - Jeff Skinner (1) PPG (Zach Benson, Tage Thompson)
BOS: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 0:42 - Riley Stillman (1) (Brandon Biro, Casey Mittelstadt)
BOS: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: 12:17 - Brandon Biro (1) (Casey Mittelstadt, Mats Lindgren); 19:58 - Filip Cederqvist (1) ENG (Tyson Kozak, Brett Murray)
BOS: 17:59 - Oskar Steen (1) (Mason Lohrei, Georgii Merkulov)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 3:26 - Jiri Kulich (High-sticking - 2 min.); 10:15 - Jiri Kulich (Hooking - 2 min.)
BOS: 3:03 - Ryan Mast (Holding - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
BOS: 4:58 - Jakub Lauko (Slashing - 2 min.); 7:04 - Jakub Lauko (Interference - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 3:55 - Zach Benson (Hooking - 2 min.)
BOS: 3:27 - Marc McLaughlin (Tripping - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Brandon Biro - BUF
2.) Zach Benson - BUF
3.) Jeff Skinner - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres will take part in the 2023 Kraft Hockeyville series on Wednesday when they face the Toronto Maple Leafs at Joe Thornton Community Centre in St. Thomas, Ontario. Faceoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET and can be heard on the radio home of the Sabres - WGR Sports Radio 550.