Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - In the final game of the 2023 Sabres Prospects Challenge on Monday at Harborcenter, the Buffalo Sabres get shut out, 3-0, by the winners of the annual tournament, the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Penguins capitalized less than a minute into the contest off a turnover by the Sabres in their own end. After a failed clearing attempt by defenseman Nikita Novikov, Penguins 2019 first-round pick Samuel Poulin was able to walk in on Scott Ratzlaff and lift the puck over the Sabres goalie.
However, the bigger concern for the Sabres on the opening shift of the game was 2022 first-round pick Matthew Savoie going into the end boards and coming up holding his left shoulder. He was able to skate off under his own power, but went straight to the dressing room.
The Sabres and Penguins played a relatively even period, in terms of scoring chances with shots at 10-9 in favor of Buffalo. However, the Penguins held off a couple of power play chances for the Sabres to keep the score at 1-0.
Pittsburgh added to its lead just past the halfway point of the second period thanks to a nice individual effort by 2023 first-round pick Brayden Yager. The center was able to use his tenacity to win a puck battle in his own zone, and then use his speed to get around Sabres defenseman Norwin Panocha and put a backhand past Ratzlaff in net.
The Sabres did all they could to capitalize on their scoring opportunities in the final 20 minutes of action, but had no answers to solve goalie Joel Blomqvist. The 2019 second-round pick managed to stop all 34 shots faced to shut out Buffalo in the final game of the tournament.
The Penguins capped off their scoring with an empty-net goal from forward Jagger Joshua with 3:37 left in the third.
Be sure to follow along with all the game action below:
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
PIT: 0:26 - Sam Poulin (2) (Justin Lee)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
PIT: 11:40 - Brayden Yager (2) (Unassisted)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
PIT: 16:23 - Jagger Joshua (1) ENG (Lukas Svejkovsky)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 8:36 - Zach Metsa (Tripping - 2 min.)
PIT: 14:59 - Ty Glover (Delay of Game - 2 min.); 19:06 - Jagger Joshua (Tripping - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 17:36 - Lawson Sherk (Slashing - 2 min.)
PIT: 6:46 - Samuel Houde (Hooking - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 4:58 - Mats Lindgren (Holding - 2 min.)
PIT: 12:05 - Avery Hayes (Delay of Game - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Joel Blomqvist - PIT
2.) Brayden Yager - PIT
3.) Tyson Kozak - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres will formally report to training camp in Downtown Buffalo later this week before taking part in the first preseason game of the year on Sunday, Sept. 24 against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena. Faceoff is set for 2 p.m. ET and can be heard on our sister station, WBEN News Radio 930.