JJ Peterka scored less than a minute into the third period to ignite a four-goal frame for the Utah Mammoth as the Buffalo Sabres slid deeper in the abyss with a 5-2 loss on Wednesday night.
Peterka, who spent the first four years of his NHL career with the Sabres, admitted it was nice to light the lamp against his former organization.
"Yeah, (it feels special) since in Buffalo, I didn't do anything, so doing something here was pretty good," the 23-year-old winger told Chase Beardsley of The Hockey Writers.
Peterka and the Mammoth, who sent forward Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring to the Sabres in the offseason blockbuster trade, completed a season sweep over the Blue and Gold. They scored a 2-1 overtime win in Buffalo last week.
Prior to that first meeting, the 2020 second-round pick refused to discuss whether he'd requested a trade before the Sabres sent him to Utah.
"Well, I met so many great people in the organization," Peterka told reporters. "I made so many good fans, but yeah, I think just right now, my focus is on Utah, on the season, so yeah."
Sabres fans proceeded to boo him throughout the night, but the Mammoth got the last laugh.
Let's jump into the newest edition of our Sabres grades series, which sees some superstars at the bottom of the list.
Isak Rosen continues standout run as Buffalo Sabres' biggest names falter in Nov. 12 loss to the Utah Mammoth
Sabres player grades
Player | Grade (1-10) |
|---|---|
Isak Rosen | 9 |
Noah Ostlund | 8 |
Jack Quinn | 6.5 |
Bowen Byram | 6 |
Josh Doan | 5.5 |
Tyson Kozak | 5 |
Conor Timmins | 5 |
Colten Ellis | 5 |
Michael Kesselring | 4.5 |
Mattias Samuelsson | 4.5 |
Jordan Greenway | 4 |
Josh Dunne | 4 |
Peyton Krebs | 3.5 |
Jacob Bryson | 3.5 |
Beck Malenstyn | 3 |
Owen Power | 2.5 |
Ryan McLeod | 2 |
Tage Thompson | 1 |
Alex Tuch | 1 |
Buffalo Player of the Game: Isak Rosen
Rosen is showing why he probably deserved to start the season with the big club rather than being sent to the AHL's Rochester Americans. He's recorded four points (three goals and one assist) in five appearances to go along with four blocked shots and three hits since being called up.
The 2021 first-round pick, who's tallied 154 points in 202 AHL games, likely must add more strength to his frame if he wants to embark on a long NHL career. His offensive talent and upside is already showing through in a major way, though.
His ability to find space in the attacking zone is something the Sabres are lacking, especially amid their recent run of terrible injury luck. Both his goals against the Mammoth were examples of getting into dangerous areas of the ice.
At a time when Buffalo's top players aren't making a significant impact, it's a good sign for the organization that some of its prospects are stepping up.
Sabres quick hits
- Like Rosen, Noah Ostlund is doing a great job of taking advantage of the opportunities presented to him because of the Sabres' injury crisis.
- Mostly mundane nights from Doan and Kesselring against their former team.
- Colten Ellis was having a great game through two periods, but he couldn't slow the Utah onslaught in the final frame.
- Simply not good enough from Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch.
- The same could be said for Owen Power and Ryan McLeod.
- Buffalo (5-7-4) is right back on the ice Thursday night as it visits the Ball Arena to take on the Colorado Avalanche, who lead the NHL with 27 points (11-1-5).