Utah HC's big 2nd period extends Sabres' skid to six

Michael Kesselring and Mikhail Sergachev scored 24 seconds apart in the second period to spur the Utah Hockey Club past the host Buffalo Sabres 5-2 in a Saturday matinee.

For the third straight game, the Sabres led after the first period. However, they again failed to maintain that advantage in losing their sixth straight (0-4-2). It's Buffalo's longest futility streak since it lost eight in a row from Oct. 25-Nov. 19, 2022.

Goals by the Utah defensemen gave the guests a 2-1 lead less than four minutes into the second period, and Buffalo skaters aided in both.

Kesselring, playing in his 100th game, tied the game on a play he started. He kept the Sabres from clearing the puck at the blueline. Barrett Hayton recovered the puck and set up his teammate, who fired a wrister from above the faceoff circles. It went in the goal under the crossbar as Buffalo winger Alex Tuch screened goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in the high slot.

Seconds later, Utah's Michael Carcone eluded a check from Jacob Bryson, and Dennis Gilbert then drove the winger into Luukkonen, knocking the netminder away from the crease. Alexander Kerfoot (two assists) then passed the puck along the boards to Sergachev, who fired into the open net with 16:18 remaining in the period.

Nick Schmaltz added to the lead with 52 seconds left in the period. It was the Utah center's fourth goal in three games after he went the first 23 without one.

Jack McBain and Kevin Stenlund added third-period scores to secure the victory.

Kesselring finished with two points, also assisting on Schmaltz's goal, and 10 Utah skaters had a point apiece.

Tyson Kozak scored his first career NHL goal midway through the first period to give Buffalo a 1-0 lead, and Jiri Kulich finished the scoring with 2:20 remaining.

Those were the only blemishes for Karel Vejmelka, who made 23 saves. Luukkonen also saved 23 shots.

The Sabres played Saturday without defenseman Rasmus Dahlin due to back spasms. Buffalo's captain also missed Thursday's overtime loss against Winnipeg.

--Field Level Media