Tempa, Ariz. (WGR 550) - A pair of power play goals, including one by Tage Thompson, helped the Buffalo Sabres defeat the Arizona Coyotes, 5-2, on Saturday night at Mullett Arena.
The two teams traded power play goals early in the first period to tie the score, 1-1.
Arizona capitalized on a Kale Clague minor for holding the stick for a 1-0 lead three-and-a-half minutes into the game. Shayne Gostisbehere was credited with his eighth goal of the season with the special teams score.
Almost exactly three minutes later, Jeff Skinner answered when Tage Thompson's shot was stopped by goalie Connor Ingram, but the rebound hit off Skinner's shoulder in front of the net. Thompson and Alex Tuch assisted on the goal that tied the game.
Each team had three power play opportunities in the opening 20 minutes, with both teams converting on one of those chances.
The Coyotes took advantage of a Buffalo turnover in the offensive zone and converted at the other end to re-gain the lead. Barrett Hayton scored his first goal of the season midway through the second period after he created the opportunity. The goal gave Arizona a 2-1 lead.
However, once again, it was Skinner with the answer for the Sabres to re-tie the game at 2-2 late in the second frame. Rasmus Dahlin made the pass that helped create the even strength opportunity for Skinner.
Thompson's 25th goal of the season came on the power play part way through the third period to give the Sabres a 3-2 lead. Buffalo's first lead of the night came with Nick Bjugstad in the penalty box for holding. Tuch and Dahlin were credited with the assists.
Tyson Jost and Kyle Okposo each added an empty-net goal for Buffalo to help secure the victory for the blue and gold, 5-2.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 6:34 - Jeff Skinner (14) PPG (Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch)
ARI: 3:35 - Shayne Gostisbehere (8) PPG (Jakob Chychrun, Nick Schmaltz)
Second Period:
BUF: 16:42 - Jeff Skinner (15) (Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson)
ARI: 12:16 - Barrett Hayton (1) (Unassisted)
Third Period:
BUF: 10:07 - Tage Thompson (25) PPG (Alex Tuch, Rasmus Dahlin);
18:32 - Tyson Jost (2) ENG (Alex Tuch); 19:08 - Kyle Okposo (3) ENG (Jeff Skinner)
ARI: NONE
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 2:44 - Kale Clague (Holding the stick - 2 min.); 9:20 - TEAM (Too many men on the ice - 2 min.); 12:47 - Jeremy Davies (Tripping - 2 min.)
ARI: 5:33 - Jack McBain (Holding - 2 min.). 7:59 - Jan Jenik (Holding - 2 min.); 17:33 - Lawson Crouse (Interference - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 17:37 - Kyle Okposo (Tripping - 2 min.); 18:46 - Rasmus Dahlin (Delay of Game - 2 min.)
ARI: 6:17 - Jan Jenik (Interference - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 10:57 - Kale Clague (Hooking - 2 min.)
ARI: 9:15 - Nick Bjugdstad (Holding - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Jeff Skinner - BUF
2.) Tage Thompson - BUF
3.) Barrett Hayton - ARI
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What's next:
Buffalo will finish out its three-game Western road trip with a game in Vegas on Monday night against Jack Eichel and the Golden Knights. Puck drop is set for at 10 p.m. EST on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. Pregame coverage on WGR begins at 9 p.m. with Brian Koziol.
