Earlier in the week the Sabres assigned prized prospect Zack Kassian to their AHL affiliate in Portland to bolster the squad in for their run in the Calder Cup playoffs.
Kassian took the ice for the first time with Portland for Saturday night's Game Three battle with Binghamton, and although his name didn't get on the scoresheet, it was a memorable night for Kassian and the Pirates.
Down 2-0 in the series after dropping the first two games at home, Portland were desperate heading into Game Three. It was a tight battle throughout, but with 12.5 seconds left in the third period, veteran defenseman Tim Conboy sent in the game-winner to essentially keep Portland in the series.
Kassian, who had 16 points (6 G, 10 A) in 16 playoff games for Windsor, was held without a point, but his energy and physical presence brought a different dimension to the Pirates that Binghamton hadn't seen in the first two games of the series.
Sabre prospects Mark Mancari, Luke Adam and Paul Byron each earned an assist on Saturday night while Williamsville native David Leggio stopped 32 of the 34 pucks that he saw to earn the victory.
The two teams will battle Monday and Tuesday night in Binghamton before hopefully heading home to Portland for Game Six on Friday night.
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