BRUINS GET A GLIMPSE OF FUTURE

BUFFALO — If you were in the crowd at the exquisite HarborCenter last night you saw the future of the Bruins — or at least a very big part of it.

What could be the core of the team in coming years was on display in the B’s second game of the third annual Prospects Challenge, as they dropped a wild 7-4 decision to the host Sabres.

A sellout crowd watched a very uptempo and intense game for two periods, the match deadeven at 3-3 after 40 minutes. But in a chaotic third period, the amateur on-ice officials pretty much lost control of the game.

“I really liked our first two periods,” said Providence coach Jay Leach. “In the third period it kind of got a little wacky. Half the time we didn’t even know what was being called.”

A charging infraction by the Sabres’ Hudson Fasching, which forced B’s defenseman Emil Johansson to leave with an injury, sparked a succession of penalty calls — most of them on the Bruins, and several of the questionable variety.

The Sabres scored twice on power plays in the third, finishing 4-for-8 on the man advantage for the game, while also scoring once shorthanded and once into the empty net.

“It was kind of mess out there a little bit, to be honest,” said Jake DeBrusk.

The Bruins got goals from Justin Hickman, Sean Kuraly, Ryan Fitzgerald and a power-play tally by Anders Bjork.

The B’s lineup featured a top line of left winger DeBrusk, right winger Bjork and the slick-skating Jakub Forsbacka Karlsson — all three players with a good chance to see lots of time in Boston this season.

Bounce back

On defense, all eyes were on the No.1 pair of Charlie McAvoy and Jakub Zboril. The latter had a rough night in Friday’s tourney opener.

“You know … I think he struggled,” said Leach of Zboril. “He looked a little tentative to me. We saw glimpses of his physicality and how he can close and those sorts of things. But I think overall he’d liked to be bit more aggressive.”

Zboril bounced back very nicely last night. Much more involved, he was good in all facets — most notably his hitting, as he dished out 3-4 ringing checks, including a monster shot on Buffalo’s Nicholas Baptiste.

“We lost, so I’m not too happy, but with my personal game I’m very happy,” said Zboril. “I stepped up after (Friday’s) game. I did much better. We all did much better. The first game I felt really heavy. This time I found my legs again. I could skate, be more physical and I had so much more energy.”

Playing with a mean streak has long been part of his game, he said.

“Since I was maybe like 10, I started hitting,” he said. “Even when we were young and couldn’t hit, I was still doing it. I was getting penalties all the time.”

Around the rink

Here’s a few other observations from last night:

Fitzgerald had a good allround game, particularly on the penalty kill, as he generated a couple of good shorthanded chances.

Bjork, quick and graceful and with a knack for the puck, snapped home a power play one-timer from the right circle — just the kind of goal the B’s brass hopes he can score many times this season . ...

Leach was unwilling to make a prediction on where DeBrusk will eventually slot in an NHL lineup, but sees a wide range of possibilities.

“I wouldn’t put a (thirdline) cap on him; it’s way too early to do that,” said Leach. “I think he has the potential to be more than that. Brad Marchand, when he was a Providence Bruin, was a fourth-line winger. So I would never want to put a ceiling on that.

“Jake has serious potential to be really anything in the NHL — first, second, third or fourth line in the NHL.”

Husky with bite

Among those playing well for the Penguins squad here is former Northeastern star Zach Aston-Reese, maybe the most coveted NCAA free agent after last season. In skating and skill, Aston-Reese has a lot of pluses — and also a good attitude about the sort of NHL winger he hopes to be.

“I watch guys like (Philadelphia’s Wayne) Simmons and (Pittsburgh’s Patric) Hornqvist,” said AstonReese. “Guys who can play tough, agitate and get under your skin — but also can produce. That’s the kind of player I’d like to be.” ...

The Bruins have a practice today, and wrap up the tourney with a game against New Jersey tomorrow.