Photo: voodooshockey.com
WASAGA BEACH, Ont. – Matthew Lee scored twice in regulation, and had another in the shootout, to lift the Buffalo Jr. Sabres to a narrow 3-2 result over the Timmins Rock in Cottage Cup action Wednesday at Wasaga Stars Arena.
Buffalo bagged the initial tally of the contest, three minutes into the proceedings, as Lee snagged a rebound and snapped a low short-side shot past Timmins netminder Graham Gee.
Countering in transition a couple of shifts later, the Rock drew level when Thomas Beard fired an attempt in front that was swatted in past Jr. Sabres’ starter Anthony Alessi by Hayden Rynard, parked at the top of the crease.
A trio of man advantage opportunities in the back-half of the session, gave Buffalo chances to retake the lead, but the Timmins penalty kill held firm defensively.
In the second stanza of the two-period affair, the Rock had some power plays of their own and eventually took the lead on a four-on-three.
On the marker, Jack Kelly worked the puck down to Rynard who set-up Beard, who had a couple of in-close cracks before scoring.
Battling back, Buffalo tied it late, while up a skater, at 16:33 and saw Lee strike from near the goal line for his second of the contest.
Using a simultaneous shootout where each team took shots at the same time on the opposing goaltenders, at both ends of the ice, the Jr. Sabres would prevail, outscoring the Rock 2-1, after five attempts apiece.
Kaeden McArthur supplied the lone Timmins tally while Lee and Brody Seitz clicked for Buffalo.
A stiff test awaits the Rock (0-1-1) in their second game of the day as they take on the defending Centennial Cup champion Collingwood Blues at 7:30 p.m.
