Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 24 saves, as well as three additional saves in the shootout to help lead the Buffalo Sabres to a 3-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Saturday afternoon at KeyBank Center.
The Sabres scored first early in the first period to gain a quick 1-0 lead. Zach Benson scored for the second-straight game, this time 1:11 into the opening period. Jacob Bryson and Owen Power were credited with assists on the game's first goal.
A delay of game penalty on the Flames resulted in another special teams opportunity for the Sabres, which they cashed in on to extend the lead. Tage Thompson scored his 10th goal of the season on a one-time opportunity from Rasmus Dahlin.
The goal came after Martin Pospisil was penalized for shooting the puck over the glass in the defense zone.
The Sabres were able to kill off their lone penalty of the first period. Dennis Gilbert took a hooking minor late in the opening period.
Calgary was credited with just six shots on goal in the period against Luukkonen.
The Flames were able to trim their deficit to one with a goal late in the second period. Matt Coronato was credited with his fifth goal of the season, as the forward was able to tip a MacKenzie Weegar pass into the net.
The goal was scored before penalties were called on Gilbert and Justin Kirkland for roughing.
Buffalo was credited with six shots on goal in the second period and 13 overall in the game through 40 minutes. Flames goalie Dan Vladar made 11 saves through two periods.
Mikael Backlund was able to capitalize on a loose puck in the offensive zone and score with just under five minutes remaining in regulation. The Calgary captain scored his third goal of the season to tie the game at 2-2.
Jonathan Huberdeau and Weegar assisted on the game-tying goal.
Calgary ended regulation with 24 total shots on goal, while the Sabres were credited with 18.
The Sabres were penalized for too many men on the ice with 1:20 remaining in overtime when the puck was touched during a line change, giving Calgary a 4-on-3 power play in the extra period.
However, Buffalo was able to kill the penalty off and force a shootout.
JJ Peterka scored the only goal of the shootout, helping the Sabres secure a 3-2 victory and a third-straight win. It is the team's second three-game winning streak in the last three weeks.
----------
SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: 1:11 - Zach Benson (2) (Jacob Bryson, Owen Power); 13:37 - Tage Thompson (10) PPG (Rasmus Dahlin, JJ Peterka)
CGY: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
CGY: 17:44 - Matt Coronato (5) (Mackenzie Weegar, Blake Coleman)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
CGY: 15:42 - Mikael Backlund (3) (Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar)
Overtime:
BUF: NONE
CGY: NONE
Shootout:
BUF: Tage Thompson - Save
CGY: Yegor Sharangovich - Save
BUF: JJ Peterka - GOAL
CGY: Andrei Kuzmenko - Save
BUF: Alex Tuch - Save
CGY: Justin Kirkland - Save
----------
----------
Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Zach Benson - BUF
2.) JJ Peterka - BUF
3.) Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen - BUF
----------
What's next:
The Sabres will remain at home for an afternoon contest against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday at KeyBank Center. The puck drops at 12:30 p.m. EST on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. The Steve Foley Law Pregame Show begins at 12 p.m. EST with Brian Koziol.