5/23 Recap: Makarov's season ends as Knights roll

Andrey Makarov saw his season come to an end Thursday as Saskatoon was eliminated from the 2013 Memorial Cup with a 6-1 loss to London. The tiebreaker game victory sends the Knights to Friday's semifinal versus Portland for the right to face Halifax in Sunday's final.

For Makarov, the season-ender was a mixed bag. He kept the Blades in the game for two periods with some big saves, but it appeared that both he and the over-matched team in front of him simply ran out of gas versus the high-powered Knights. London came out strong with three quick goals in the third period, causing coach Lorne Molleken to give Makarov the mercy pull with his club down by a 6-1 count. The 6-foot-1 netminder finishes the tournament with a 1-3 mark, a 4.09 GAA and .889 save%.

On Wednesday, Makarov again made some nice stops to keep the game competitive as Saskatoon closed out the round-robin portion of the tourney with a 4-2 loss to Portland, thrusting the Blades into the Thursday tiebreaker. Overall, the young goaltender played well given the 50+ day break between the WHL playoffs and the Memorial Cup, setting the stage for his first organized Sabres activity when development camp begins in July.

5/24/2013 | 0 comments | Read More

5/19 Recap: Makarov backs Blades to big win

Andrey Makarov stopped 29 shots Sunday to help Saskatoon to a 5-2 upset of Halifax at the 2013 Memorial Cup tournament. The Blades defense did a good job keying in on the Mooseheads top line, holding the high-powered offense off the scoresheet for two periods before allowing a pair of third period goals. Nathan MacKinnon scored the second tally with a quick release shot from between the circles to cut the Blades' lead to 4-2 before the Blades sealed the deal with an empty-netter.

Both Saskatoon and Halifax have records of 1-1 through their first two tourney games. If Portland can defeat London on Monday, all four teams will be an even 1-1 for just the second time in tournament history. The Blades close out the round robin on Wednesday versus Seth Jones-led Portland.

5/20/2013 | 0 comments | Read More

5/17 Recap: Makarov hangs tough in Memorial Cup opener

Andrey Makarov stopped 30 of 33 shots Friday as the Saskatoon Blades opened the 2013 Memorial Cup with a 3-2 loss to the London Knights. The Blades, who hadn't played since being eliminated from the WHLplayoffs back on March 27, took a bit to get into a groove but were kept in the game by some excellent saves by Makarov.

After Josh Nicholls (NYR) put the Blades got on the board, London draft prospect Bo Horvat caused a  neutral zone turnover and skated in for the nice cross-ice feed to Brett Welychka to make it 1-1. The teams would trade goals to knot the game at 2-2 until 2013 draft eligible Nikita Zadorov buried a power play rebound with 5:45 left in the third period to give the Knights the victory. Despite the outcome, the effort earned Makarov the game's number one star.

The tournament continues Saturday with the much anticipated match-up between WHL champion Portland and kings of the QMJHL, Halifax. The game features the top three North American skaters in Winterhawks defender Seth Jones and the dynamic Mooseheads duo of Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin, along with Central Scouting's top-rated netminder in Zachary Fucale. Makarov and the Blades return to action Sunday versus Halifax.

5/18/2013 | 1 comments | Read More

5/13 Recap: Lepkowski's Colts drop heartbreaker

Bo Horvat continued to impress NHL execs on his way to the draft with a pair of goals Monday including the winner with less one second remaining in regulation as London claimed the OHL championship with a 3-2 victory over Barrie. Horvat amassed 16 goals and 23 points in 21 games to earn MVP of the OHL playoffs. Horvat, along with fellow draft eligibles Max Domi and Nikita Zadorov will move on to Saskatoon for the 2013 Memorial Cup to battle Portland, Halifax, and the host Blades for Canada's junior crown.

Sabres defensive prospect Alex Lepkowski logged a plus-one rating in the game seven loss, and will now await next steps from the organization regarding his career path. Fans should expect to get a closer look at the 6-foot-4 defender at when development camp opens in July.

5/15/2013 | 1 comments | Read More

5/11 Recap: Colts comeback falls short

Alex Lepkowski notched an assist Saturday as Barrie dropped a 5-4 overtime decision to London in game six of the OHL Championship series. Maple Leafs prospect Ryan Rupert recorded two goals including the OT winner to pace the Knights, while 2013 draft eligible Bo Horvat scored for the third straight contest.

The Colts trailed 4-0 after forty minutes but went on the attack in the final frame with four goals on nine shots to force extra time. With under five minutes to play in regulation, Lepkowski sprung Tyson Fawcett for an opportunity down the left side that was cleaned up by Mitchell Theoret (NYI) to make it a 4-3.

In Friday's game five, Lepkowski posted a plus-two rating as the Colts were downed by the Knights 6-4. Horvat struck twice and added an assist, while fellow draft eligible Max Domi contributed one goal and one assist.

The series now heads to an exciting game seven Monday in London to settle the league title. The winner will join QMJHL champion Halifax, host Saskatoon, and one of Portland or Edmonton at the Memorial Cup beginning on May 15.

5/12/2013 | 1 comments | Read More

5/8 Recap: Lepkowski tough as Colts inch closer to championship

Alex Lepkowski maintained his chippy posture on the Barrie blueline Wednesday as the Colts got past London 6-4 in game four of the OHL Championship series. The victory gives Barrie a commanding 3-1 series lead with a chance to capture the title Friday in London. Lepkowski was a physical presence throughout the tilt, using his body and stick to defend while logging an even rating in the 10-goal affair (he was not on the ice for any of the goals). Winnipeg prospect Mark Schiefele collected four goals and an assist to lead the Colts, while 2013 draft eligible Bo Horvat pumped an NHL-style shot from the slot for one of the Knights’ goals.

5/09/2013 | 0 comments | Read More

5/6 Recap: Lepkowski lights lamp as Colts grabs lead

Alex Lepkowski scored the game winning goal Monday as Barrie downed London 6-3 win game three of the OHL championship series. The doubling gives the Colts a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Lepkowski, who went through the regular season with scoring a goal, scored his second of the post-season just 1:40 into the third period to give the Colts the 4-3 lead. The Colts will look to inch their way closer to an OHL championship and Memorial Cup berth when the puck drops for game four Wednesday in Barrie.

5/07/2013 | 1 comments | Read More

5/5 Recap: Lepkowski helps out in Colts loss

Alex Lepkowski notched an assist Sunday as Barrie was defeated by London 4-1 in game two of the OHL championship series. Draft eligible forward Bo Horvat picked up a goal and an assist for the Knights, who were led by pair of goals from Bruins prospect Seth Griffith. Game three takes place Wednesday in Barrie.

On Friday, Lepkowski recorded a minus-one rating as the Colts opened the series with a 4-2 victory in London. The 6-foot-4 defender has two points (1+1) and a minus-three rating through 17 post-season games.

Last Wednesday, Zemgus Girgensons scored his third goal of the playoffs and Nick Tarnasky also marked as Rochester was eliminated from the AHL playoffs with a 3-2 overtime loss to Toronto. The Amerks end the season by being swept three games, losing to the Marlies for the second straight year in the first round. David Leggio made 27 saves in defeat while Johan Larsson assisted on all three of Girgensons’ tallies to finish the playoffs with three points.

5/06/2013 | 0 comments | Read More

4/29 Recap: Lepkowski's Colts get shot at title

Alex Lepkowski (even) continued his blue-collar defensive ways Monday as the Barrie Colts advanced to the OHL championship with a 3-1 win over Belleville. Paired with offensive-minded Ryan O'Connor for the final games of the best-of-seven victory, the steady leader will need to elevate his play when the Colts square off with the London Knights for the league title beginning Friday. Brady Austin finished even for the Bulls to finish the post-season with five assists and a plus-14 rating in 17 games.

4/30/2013 | 0 comments | Read More

4/27 Recap: Girgensons' pair not enough as Amerks drop opener

In Saturday play, Zemgus Girgensons scored twice and Cody McCormick added a short-handed goal but the Rochester Americans opened the 2013 AHL playoffs with a 6-3 loss at Toronto. The Amerks dictated the pace of play, firing twice as many shots on goal as the Marlies (34 to 17) only to allow their opponent to break a 3-3 tie after forty minutes with three third-period goals. David Leggio finished the game with 12 saves and the loss, while Johan Larsson added two assists for the losing side. Dan Catenacci, Mikhail Grigorenko, and Corey Tropp did not play for the Amerks on Saturday, but at least one (Grigorenko) is expected to be inserted into the lineup on Sunday when the Amerks look to even the series before heading home for game three.



In the OHL, Brady Austin finished with a plus-two rating as Belleville forced a home-ice game seven in the Eastern Conference final with a 3-1 win at Barrie. Austin, who was the game's third star in the Bulls' Friday victory by the same score, was paired with 2013 draft eligible Jordan Subban. Alex Lepkowski, who was paired with offensive-minded Ryan O'Connor on the Colts blue line, finished the game with a minus-two rating. The Bulls and Colts will play the deciding game seven Monday in Bellevile for the right to face London for the league title.

4/28/2013 | 0 comments | Read More