The Cobourg Cougars tried to dig themselves out of a three-goal hole, but the Buffalo Jr. Sabres held on for a 5-4 victory.

A goal by Josh Gabriel put Buffalo up 5-2 in the third period, but Cobourg pulled to within one on Ryan Taylor's tally 17:43 into the third period.

Ryan Kuhn was all over the ice for the Jr. Sabres, as he tallied two goals and one assist in the win. Kuhn scored the first of his two goals at 10:19 into the first period to make the score 2-0 Buffalo. Zach Evancho picked up the assist. Kuhn's next tally made the score 3-0 Buffalo with 1:03 left in the first period. Buffalo found itself down a man on Aiden Salerno's slashing. Tim Kielich assisted on the tally.

Team could not crack the Cougars' penalty kill and was held to two power play goals while having 11 opportunities to play with the man advantage. The Jr. Sabres could not stay out of the penalty box, as the team accrued 20 minutes in penalties during the game.

Buffalo also had goals scored by Aaron Reinig and Tim Nicksic, who each put in one. In addition, Buffalo received assists from David Baskerville, who had one and Christopher Berger, who had two.

Cobourg's offense rang up 34 shots on Buffalo's net. The Cougars gave up more goals than its normal season average. Cobourg gives up 2.4 goals per game. The Cougars' penalty killing units received substantial work throughout the game as Cobourg finished with 28 penalty minutes.

Cobourg also got a goal from Cole Langan as well. Other players who recorded assists for Cobourg were Liam Grande, who had two and Rylee McKinnon, Ryan OGrady, Spencer Holt, Connor Armour, and Taylor Gauld, who contributed one each.

The Jr. Sabres' Nate Skidmore stopped 30 shots out of the 34 that he faced. Stefano Durante rejected 13 shots on goal for the Cougars. Cobourg registered three goals on seven power play opportunities. The Cougars ran into serious disciplinary problems during the contest, and Austin Veleke was ejected from the game.