Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres were unable to use Lukas Rousek's two-point effort in his NHL debut to their advantage, as they fall to the Montreal Canadiens, 4-3, in a shootout on Tuesday night at KeyBank Center.
Montreal was able to score just over a minute into the game when Jordan Harris joined the play and snuck a shot between the pads of Sabres goalie Eric Comrie.
The Sabres answered back just over two minutes later when Rousek scored his first career NHL goal. The young forward was recalled from the Rochester Americans due to a Tage Thompson upper-body injury, and scored on his first NHL shift.
Tyson Jost and Owen Power were credited with assists on the goal.
The goal allowed the former sixth-round pick join a small handful of players in franchise history.
The Sabres had a pair of power play opportunities in the opening period, but were unable to score on either. Buffalo was credited with 13 shots on goal in the frame, while Montreal had six.
Alex Belzile was able to pick the top corner of the net early in the second period for his sixth goal of the year and provide Montreal with a 2-1 lead. However, the lead was short-lived thanks to a shorthanded situation.
JJ Peterka banked a shot off of Jake Allen from below the goal line to score on the power play and tied the score, 2-2, in the middle frame. The goal was Peterka's 10th of the season and came with Mike Hoffman in the penalty box for cross-checking.
Under three minutes later, Buffalo was able to move in front of the Canadiens for their first lead of the night, 3-2. Riley Stillman made a move to get Allen out of position and slid the puck into the net along the near post for his first goal of the year.
Victor Olofsson made the pass that helped create the goal. The forward was credited with an assist, along with Rousek.
Brendan Gallagher was able to tie the game, 3-3, nearly midway through the third period with his sixth goal of the year. The veteran forward was able to stick handle his way into the slot and beat Comrie with a shot to the far goal post.
The Sabres failed to score in the third period, and went to overtime tied 3-3 with Montreal. Buffalo was credited with eight shots in the final period of regulation.
Both teams had chances in the extra period, especially with a power play chance for Montreal. Peyton Krebs was called for cross-checking halfway through the period to give the Canadiens a 4-on-3 opportunity, but the Sabres killed it off.
As the game went to the shootout, it took a total of six rounds for the Canadiens to steal the extra point from Buffalo. After Jack Quinn and Jesse Ylonen each scored in Round 4 to get the 1-on-1 battle with the goalie going, it was Michael Pezzetta who finally ended the game in Round 6 with a shot over the blocker of Comrie.
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GAME RECAP:
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 3:49 - Lukas Rousek (1) (Tyson Jost, Owen Power)
MTL: 1:22 - Jordan Harris (4) (Jonathan Drouin, Mike Matheson)
Second Period:
BUF: 5:49 - JJ Peterka (10) PPG (Alex Tuch, Casey Mittelstadt); 8:31 - Riley Stillman (1) (Victor Olofsson, Lukas Rousek)
MTL: 4:28 - Alex Belzile (6) (David Savard)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
MTL: 8:35 - Brendan Gallagher (6) (Jake Evans, Jesse Ylonen)
Overtime:
BUF: NONE
MTL: NONE
Shootout:
BUF: Victor Olofsson - Save
MTL: Nick Suzuki - Miss
BUF: JJ Peterka - Save
MTL: Jonathan Drouin - Save
BUF: Alex Tuch - Save
MTL: Mike Matheson - Save
BUF: Jack Quinn - GOAL
MTL: Jesse Ylonen - GOAL
BUF: Casey Mittelstadt - Miss
MTL: Johnathan Kovacevic - Save
BUF: Dylan Cozens - Save
MTL: Michael Pezzetta - GOAL
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
MTL: 6:23 - Brendan Gallagher (Tripping - 2 min.); 17:38 - Joel Edmundson (Holding - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 1:04 - Jeff Skinner (High-sticking - 2 min.); 18:53 - Kyle Okposo (High-sticking - 2 min.)
MTL: 0:57 - Jonathan Drouin (Hooking - 2 min.); 4:47 - Mike Hoffman (Cross-checking - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
MTL: NONE
Overtime:
BUF: 2:20 - Peyton Krebs (Cross-checking - 2 min.)
MTL: NONE
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Brendan Gallagher - MTL
2.) Lukas Rousek - BUF
3.) Alex Belzile - MTL
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What's next:
The Sabres remain home all week before hosting the New York Rangers on Friday night at KeyBank Center. The two teams will drop the puck at 7 p.m. ET on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. Pregame coverage with Mike Schopp at the Bulldog begins at 6 p.m. ET.