Owen Power Leads Sabers to 3-2 Comeback Over Ducks – Hockey Writers – Buffalo Sabers

The Anaheim Ducks started their short two-game homestand on Friday night by hosting the Buffalo Sabres.

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Both teams entered tonight’s contest with a .500 record but were looking to continue their winning streak. The Ducks had won three games in a row while the Sabers looked to be in good form while visiting California.

Recap of the game

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was given his second straight start for Buffalo after shutting out the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday but he allowed a goal on Anaheim’s first shot when defenseman Drew Helleson shot through a bunch of bodies. The goal was Helleson’s first of the season.

Both teams did well to limit pressure on the outside and cut off passing downs the rest of the opening period. Buffalo finished the period with an 11-7 advantage in shots on goal and a 6-4 edge in scoring opportunities.

The low-event hockey continued early in the second half, with both teams recording one shot on goal in the first seven minutes of the middle frame. While the shots were lacking, the second half was more physical. Radko Gudas and Connor Clifton dropped the gloves in response to a Gudas hit on Jason Zucker. Moments later, Jansen Harkins and Zach Benson drew fouls on each other, and the pair received another penalty.

The Ducks doubled their lead with a goal by Isac Lundestrom shortly after a penalty to Benson expired. The pace of the game picked up significantly after the goal, with both teams trading pace. Peyton Krebs blocked a shot from Owen Power under Gibson to cut Anaheim’s lead in half with 1:23 left in the period. After 50 seconds, Zucker tied the game on the go.

The first half of the last half saw the Ducks outscoring the Sabers 9-2 and held the lead in Buffalo’s favor for most of the game. Even though Anaheim had a slight edge in the playoffs, the pace settled late in the period as both teams seemed content with a three-point night.

Neither team took control in overtime that lasted three minutes and 30 seconds before the first whistle. After a neutral zone switch by the Ducks, the Sabers had a two-on-one split with Power and Alex Tuch. Gibson made the first save, but Jiri Kulich got the goal during the rebound to secure a 3-2 win.

Game notes

• Sabers forward Dylan Cozens skated in his 300th game. He is the third player from the 2019 NHL Entry Draft to appear in 300 games (Jack Hughes, Kaapo Kakko).
• With the goal tonight, Helleson has recorded three points in four games for the Ducks this season. He was scoreless in 12 games with the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League before being called up on November 13.
• With the primary assist on Kreb’s goals, Tuch extended his scoring streak to five games (two goals, nine assists).
• Tonight was Power’s second three-point night of the season and fourth of his career.

The Sabers (9-8-1) finish their California road trip tomorrow night against the San Jose Sharks. The Ducks (8-8-3) will play a home-and-home with the Seattle Kraken beginning Monday (Nov. 25) in Anaheim.

Enhanced data courtesy of Natural Stat Trick.