Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Sabres were able to pick up a point on Thursday night, but the Winnipeg Jets were able outlast Buffalo in a 3-2 victory in overtime at KeyBank Center.
Tage Thompson scored for the second-straight game, opening the scoring with a power play goal less than four minutes into the first period. Jason Zucker made the pass that helped create the chance from the right wing faceoff dot.
Winnipeg answered back less than a minute later to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 1-1 tie. Gabe Vilardi created traffic in front of the net, tipping Hadyn Fleury's shot for his 10th goal of the season.
The Sabres challenged the goal for goaltender interference, but the challenge was unsuccessful. As a result, the team was assessed a minor penalty that they were able to kill off.
Zach Benson, once again, was able to create offense off a rush chance. The young forward was able to feed Dylan Cozens at the top of the crease to allow the Sabres to enjoy a 2-1 lead midway through the first period.
Benson's assist on the goal was his fifth overall on the year. Connor Clifton was also credited with an assist.
The Jets were able to take advantage of a 5-on-3 opportunity early in the second period to even the score again at 2-2. Kyle Connor was able to beat Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen with a shot for his 14th goal of the season, while Connor Clifton and Thompson were both in the penalty box for minor infractions.
Late in the second period, Tyson Kozak, who was making his NHL debut on Thursday, thought he had scored his first goal in the league in front of his family, as he drove to the net and deposited a rebound off a shot from Clifton.
However, the Jets challenged the goal for goaltender interference, and managed to win the challenge, taking Kozak's first NHL goal off the board.
Neither team was able to score in the third period, sending the game to overtime. Buffalo was credited with seven shots on goal, compared to just three for the Jets.
The Sabres had the lone power play chance in the third period, but failed to convert.
Luukkonen made 26 saves through regulation, compared to 27 saves in three periods for Connor Hellebuyck.
The Sabres had several chances in overtime, but could not secure the game-winning tally.
Adam Lowry was able to convert on a second chance opportunity to give Winnipeg the one-goal victory. Luukkonen made the initial save on a 2-on-0 rush, but could not keep Lowry from ending the game in the Jets' favor.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: 3:27 - Tage Thompson (14) PPG (Jason Zucker, Alex Tuch); 11:29 - Dylan Cozens (6) (Zach Benson, Connor Clifton)
WPG: 4:14 - Gabe Vilardi (10) (Hadyn Feluery, Mark Schiefele)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
WPG: 3:06 - Kyle Connor (14) PPG (Mark Schiefele, Josh Morrissey)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
WPG: NONE
Overtime:
BUF: NONE
WPG: 3:59 - Adam Lowry (7) (Josh Morrissey, Gabe Vilardi)
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Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Adam Lowry - WPG
2.) Connor Hellebuyck - WPG
3.) Dylan Cozens - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres continue their homestand on Saturday with a matinee matchup with the Utah Hockey Club at KeyBank Center for their first trip to Buffalo in franchise history. Faceoff is slated for 1 p.m. EST, with the Steve Foley Law Pregame Show starting coverage at 12 p.m. EST with Brian Koziol on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550.