Deadspin: Tage Thompson’s Hat Trick Leads Sabres in Wild Ducks Comeback
Ducks strike first
Anaheim took a 2-0 lead in the first period on power-play goals from Mikael Granlund and Cutter Gauthier. Granlund redirected a pass from LaCombe, and Gauthier followed with a one-timer from the right circle.
Tyson Kozak got Buffalo on the board at 10:03, but Roger McQueen restored Anaheim’s two-goal advantage with his first NHL goal. Noah Ostlund scored on a power play to bring the Sabres within one, and Thompson tied the game at 3-3 late in the period.
Thompson swings momentum
Thompson gave Buffalo its first lead at 18:36 of the second period, beating Ville Husso after Peyton Krebs won a faceoff. Fifteen seconds later, Thompson scored again to complete his natural hat trick and make it 5-3.
A power-play goal credited to Buffalo extended the lead to 6-3 early in the third. Jack Quinn’s pass intended for Benson went off Anaheim defenseman Jackson Lacombe and into the net.
Anaheim rallies late
Gauthier scored his second goal on a power play at 7:26, cutting the deficit to 7-4. Anaheim continued its push after Husso left for an extra attacker. Tristan Luneau scored at 18:52, and Beckett Sennecke made it a one-goal game at 19:30. Buffalo held on for the 7-6 win. Ellis stopped 29 shots for the Sabres, while Husso made 23 saves for Anaheim.
Key points
- Tage Thompson had three goals and two assists in Buffalo’s 7-6 victory.
- The Sabres rallied from a 3-1 deficit and won their second straight game.
- Anaheim scored three third-period goals but fell short.
- Cutter Gauthier scored twice as the Ducks lost for the seventh time in eight games.