Bruins Prospects Beat Sabres 6-2 as McCarthy Shines for Amerks

Buffalo's prospects dropped Game 1 of the Prospects Showcase 6-2 to Boston's on Sunday evening at LECOM Harborcenter, with a no-stakes shootout tacked on at the end.

"We won the shootout," joked Michael Leone, whose Rochester Americans staff is running the Buffalo bench this weekend.

The game was choppy, which is what a first game in months with unfamiliar linemates looks like. The standout for Buffalo was defenseman Gavin McCarthy, a 2023 third-round pick who is expected to be with Rochester full time this season after a five-game pro debut this spring. The 21-year-old threw a big open-ice hit in the defensive zone, broke up a James Hagens look from the slot, and ran over Bruins goalie Max Lundgren in the third.

"I thought Gav had a great summer, we saw it in practice," Leone said. "I think he got quicker, I think he got stronger. Played really physical today."

Both Buffalo goals ran through 18-year-old Dylan Dumont, this year's sixth-round pick, who roofed a rebound from a tough angle and then fed Doman Szongoth across the slot for a second-period power-play goal. Dumont heads back to Drummondville in the QMJHL for his second season there. Szongoth, a fifth-rounder, is off to Sault Ste. Marie for his first OHL year.

Scott Ratzlaff started and allowed five goals on 27 shots before being pulled after two periods. Talyn Boyko made six saves in relief. Ratzlaff, a 2023 fifth-round pick, is slated for Rochester this season.

Hagens, the seventh pick in 2025 who played three games of Boston's first-round series against Buffalo this spring, scored twice and beat both Buffalo goalies clean.

"He played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He's a very talented player," Leone said. "He's going to be a really good player for a long time."

Game 2 goes Monday at noon.