Buffalo at Shakopee Recap
Buffalo vs Shakopee - Shakopee, MN
In an early season Section 2 showdown, the fifth ranked Buffalo Bison herd migrated south to take on the fourth ranked Shakopee Sabers. This match-up would be the first top ten showdown for both programs.
Lane Kology (3G) started the night with a quick feed from Ethan Nuss (3A) after a chaotic clear from the Bison. The Sabers were quick to tie the game after Bryce Hennen (1G) scored unassisted in transition. Offense was tough to come by in the first quarter. As cold temperatures and early season jitters became a great factor, successful clears and long offensive possessions were rare. The first quarter ended with both teams knotted at one a piece.
Lane Kology knotted his second goal of the night in the second quarter on a Bison power play. The Sabers were again quick to answer, as Harrison Vega (2G) tied the game at two in a slow break situation. The Sabers then jumped out to their first lead of the night with a slick low-to-high step down from Linus Toward (3G) on a Shakopee power play. The first half came to a close with the hometown Sabers up 3-2.
Linus Toward opened the second half with his second goal of the night, capitalizing on another power play for the Sabers, expanding their lead to 4-2. William Webber (1G) was quick to answer for the Bison, taking advantage of yet another chaotic clear tip toeing his way around the crease to bring the Bison back to within one. In what would likely win the toughest goal of the night award, Harrison Vega, stretched the Saber lead back to two. After carrying his defender to the wing on goal line extended, he beat his man and took the full brunt of the Buffalo slide. Despite being knocked to the ground, Vega managed to score the Sabers fifth goal of the night. Linus Toward then notched another for the Sabers, bringing their lead to 6-3, and closing the third quarter.
The Bison were kept in the game in the fourth quarter by their goalkeeper Braden Moseley (9S) who made a number of key saves, keeping his team within three of Shakopee. His effort would not be enough however, as the Bison struggled to get things going on their offensive end. The final nail in the coffin for Buffalo proved to be penalties late in the game. With an extra man advantage, the Sabers were able to go into stall mode, killing most of the clock before eventually nabbing their seventh goal of the night.
Shakopee would eventually win the 8-4 after late game goals for both teams. With this win, Shakopee sets themselves up well as Section 2 contenders for the remainder of the season. They are back in action on Friday, April 21 when they travel to Breck to take on the Mustangs. Buffalo will look to bounce back from the loss when they take on the Wayzata Trojans on Friday.
