Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Despite the Buffalo Sabres battling back from a 3-1 third-period deficit to force overtime, the Vancouver Canucks were able to come away with the extra point with a 4-3 overtime win on Friday afternoon at KeyBank Center.
The Sabres struck first late in the opening period, and enjoyed a one-goal lead heading into the first intermission.
Bowen Byram pinched in the offensive zone, and was able to tip a Zach Benson pass out of the air and into the net to give Buffalo a 1-0 lead with less than three minutes remaining in the first period.
Benson and Dylan Cozens were credited with the two assists on Bryam's fourth goal of the season.
Buffalo outshot the Canucks, 8-6, in the opening period. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped all six shots faced for the Sabres.
Former Canucks winger and current Sabres forward Sam Lafferty left the game due to injury in the opening period and did not return.
A rebound opportunity for Jake DeBrusk helped the Canucks tie the game, 1-1, late in the second period. Pius Suter took the initial shot that Luukkonen was unable to handle.
Vancouver was able to take advantage of a Cozens penalty early in the third period for their first lead of the game. Cozens was called for holding, as well as unsportsmanlike conduct just over four minutes into the third.
Conor Garland was able to score on the first two-minute minor to give the Canucks a 2-1 lead.
Suter doubled the Canucks lead to 3-1 nine minutes into the third period after a breakaway chance. The forward was able to win a race to a loose puck after Garland blocked a shot in the defensive zone.
Suter converted on the breakaway chance for his eighth goal of the year.
The Sabres were able to get back within a goal, 3-2, later in the third period thanks to ain impressive individual effort by Cozens.
Cozens' fifth goal of the season was unassisted after he was able to beat Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen.
Buffalo was able to get a fortuitous bounce off of Alex Tuch's head in front of the Vancouver net to tie the game, 3-3, later in the period. Cozens was able to also get a piece of a Benson shot before it deflected in off Tuch.
With the game remaining tied through the end of regulation, both teams earned a point, as they headed to overtime.
Vancouver was able to possess the puck for the majority of overtime, and it was Garland scoring his second goal of the game to seal the 4-3 win for the Canucks.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: 17:33 - Bowen Byram (4) (Zach Benson, Dylan Cozens)
VAN: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
VAN: 18:12 - Jake DeBrusk (7) (Pius Suter, Brock Boeser)
Third Period:
BUF: 13:18 - Dylan Cozens (5) (Unassisted); 14:57 - Alex Tuch (8) (Dylan Cozens, Zach Benson)
VAN: 5:15 - Conor Garland (7) (Brock Boeser, Quinn Hughes); 9:00 - Pius Suter (8) (Conor Garland)
Overtime:
BUF: NONE
VAN: 3:59 - Conor Garland (8) (Quinn Hughes)
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Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Conor Garland - VAN
2.) Brock Boeser - VAN
3.) Dylan Cozens - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres are back on the ice on Saturday evening, traveling to Long Island to face the New York Islanders. The Steve Foley Law Pregame Show with Brian Koziol begins at 6:30 p.m. EST, with puck drop slated for 7:30 p.m. on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550.