Sabres drop overtime preseason contest in Detroit

Detroit, Mich. (WGR) - The Buffalo Sabres let a 2-1 third-period lead slip away on Thursday night at Little Caesars Arena against the Detroit Red Wings. Buffalo allowed the tying goal late in regulation, and the game-winner in overtime to fall, 3-2.

The Sabres got the scoring started near the halfway point of the first period.

Forward Jake Richard won a forecheck battle down low, and then centered the puck in front for linemate Trevor Kuntar, who snapped his shot past Red Wings goalie Daniil Tarasov to make it 1-0, Buffalo.

With just under four minutes left in the opening frame, the Red Wings tied things up.

With the Sabres defending a Detroit power play, Red Wings defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka got free near the left-wing circle and uncorked a one-timer that snuck just under goalie Alex Lyon's right arm to tie the score at 1-1.

Later in the first period, Lyon was forced to leave the game and did not return. He motioned to the bench after making a diving save for a loose puck, gesturing at his shoulder.

Colten Ellis was called upon for early relief in his third-straight game in the preseason.

It took a mere 33 seconds for the Sabres to re-claim the lead in the second period.

Jiri Kulich registered his first goal of the preseason, as he skated his way into the offensive end and fired a wrist shot that leaked through Tarasov and trickled in ever-so slowly over the goal line to make it a 2-1, Sabres.

Kulich's goal was the only one of its kind for the remainder of the middle stanza, and for more than seven minutes to start the third.

That was until Red Wings forward Sheldon Dries re-directed a point shot from former Sabres defenseman Jacob Bryson that completely evaded Ellis and tied the game for Detroit.

Dries' goal proved to be the last tally in regulation, as 60 minutes wasn't enough to settle anything.

The extra period didn't last long at all, though, as Detroit ended the game just 33 seconds in thanks, in part, to some carryover penalty time from regulation.

Boasting a 4-on-3 skater advantage, Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond hooked up with linemate Alex DeBrincat for the game-winning goal.

----------

SCORING RECAP:

First Period:

BUF: 10:48 - Trevor Kuntar (1) (Jake Richard)
DET: 16:11 - Axel Sandin-Pellikka (2) PPG (Anton Johansson, Emmitt Finnie)

Second Period:

BUF: 0:33 - Jiri Kulich (1) (Noah Östlund, Radim Mrtka)
DET: NONE

Third Period:

BUF: NONE
DET: 7:13 - Sheldon Dries (1) (Jacob Bryson, Wilmer Skoog)

Overtime:

BUF: NONE
DET: 0:33 - Alex DeBrincat (1) PPG (Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider)

----------

STATS OF THE GAME:

----------

Bluestar Home Services Three Stars of the Game:

1.) Alex DeBrincat - DET
2.) Sheldon Dries - DET
3.) Jiri Kulich - BUF

----------

What's next:

The Sabres wrap up the preseason schedule on Saturday with a home matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Puck drop at KeyBank Center is set for 3 p.m. with Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray on the call on the radio home of the Sabres - WGR.