Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - It was a career-night for Ryan McLeod, as the Sabres forward recorded his first-career hat-trick in Buffalo's 4-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday at KeyBank Center.
McLeod converted on the first shot of the game to give the Sabres an early one-goal lead. The forward beat Dustin Tokarski with a shot just inside the blue line for his eighth goal of the year.
The game's first goal came just 43 seconds into the game. Connor Clifton and Beck Malenstyn were credited with the assists.
Both the Sabres and Hurricanes were each credited with 11 shots on goal in the first period. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made the start for Buffalo and stopped all 11 shots in the period. That included two power play chances for the Hurricanes.
The Sabres were able to create a scoring opportunity off of a turnover chance in the neutral zone that resulted in the second goal of the game. Dylan Cozens was able to find an open space in the slot, and after receiving a pass from Alex Tuch, he beat Tokarski with his shot.
Cozens' goal from the middle of the ice doubled Buffalo's lead to 2-0 midway through the second period. Tuch received the lone assist.
With just seconds remaining in the second period, the Sabres won an offensive zone faceoff that allowed McLeod to record his second goal of the game.
Jason Zucker assisted on McLeod's ninth goal of the season, allowing Buffalo to enjoy a 3-0 advantage after 40 minutes.
The Hurricanes were able to get on the score sheet with a goal early in the third period. Jaccob Slavin took a shot from the point that bounced past Luukkonen, trimming Buffalo's lead to 3-1 less than four minutes into the frame.
Carolina pulled Tokarski in favor of an extra attacker with around four minutes remaining in regulation. It allowed the visitors to trim the deficit to a goal, 3-2. Martin Necas used a one-time shot from the left wing for his 16th goal of the season with just over three minutes left.
McLeod then capped off the hat-trick by being awarded a goal after getting his stick chopped in half with the Hurricanes net wide-open. McLeod was able to get to the puck after Tage Thompson's shot attempt at the empty net hit the post.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: 0:43 - Ryan McLeod (8) (Connor Clifton, Beck Malenstyn)
CAR: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 8:18 - Dylan Cozens (10) (Alex Tuch); 19:54 - Ryan McLeod (9) (Jason Zucker)
CAR: NONE
Third Period
BUF: 19:36 - Ryan McLeod (10) (Tage Thompson, Jason Zucker)
CAR: Jaccob Slavin (3) (Brent Burns, Jesperi Kotkaniemi); 16:50 - Martin Necas (16) (Shayne Gostisbehere. Brent Burns)
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Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Ryan McLeod - BUF
2.) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen - BUF
3.) Dylan Cozens - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres remain home to close out a three-game homestand on Friday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins at KeyBank Center. The puck drops at 7 p.m. on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. The Steve Foley Law Pregame Show with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog begins coverage on WGR at 6 p.m.