The Wellington Dukes battled right to the end in Western New York, but came out on the wrong end of a 5-4 overtime decision on Thursday afternoon.
The Buffalo Jr. Sabres outshot Wellington 52-23 and got a winning goal just 28 seconds into overtime from Joey Banas to extend the Dukes winless streak to nine games.
Royden Smith was outstanding with 47 saves in the hard-fought loss.
Ethan Murray got the Dukes on the board at 12:48 of the first, but three unanswered tallies from Ryan Shuler and Braden Guolla (with two) lifted the Jr. Sabres into the driver’s seat.
Wellington made a great effort to key a comeback, with Liam Campbell and Zach Mascard scoring to knot the score at three heading down the stretch.
A late Buffalo goal from Tucker Lyndaker put the Dukes on the brink, until they caught a break with a penalty with a little more than a minute to play in regulation.
Three-time Duke Will Mitchell came through with the clutch powerplay goal, his first of the season, with 42 seconds left to tie the game and force the bonus session and cue Banas’ winner.
Mascard, Mitchell, Campbell and Cole Ellis all recorded a pair of points in the defeat, while Landon Marleau, Evan Erwin and Christian Armstrong added single assists.
Wellington picks up a point for the second game in a row ahead of a tough test against the King Rebellion, who are second in the OJHL’s Western Conference at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
(BROCK ORMOND)
