Saturday, October 18, 2008

10/17 Recap: Orpik drops rare deuce; Adam apple of Juniors O

Andrew Orpik had a pair of assists as #1 Boston College defeated Bowling Green, 5-3. Both points came on the power play as the Thayer product notched his first multi-point game since 10/31/06 when he had a pair of helpers at Providence. Brock Bradford (BOS) paced BC with two goals and an assist in the win. Jimmy Spratt (CAL) took the loss for Bowling Green as Nick Eno remained out for a second straight week with a tender ankle. The Eagles will drive across town to face Northeastern tomorrow, while the Falcons head to Providence. In the QMJHL, Luke Adam had a goal and an assist to rescue a dormant Montreal offense in their 3-2 win over Rouyn-Noranda. The Juniors suffered two shutout losses while Adam recovered from a sore knee, and the big forward marked his return with two points in the game's first six minutes. Adding to a common theme, Adam was the game leader in SOG (6) and blocks (5). Defenseman T.J. Brennan had a power play assist and a game-best four hits for the winners. In the West, Tyler Myers (-2, 2 PIM) had an assist in Kelowna's wild 8-6 loss to Everett. Trailing 4-3 entering the third, the Rockets all of sudden found themselves with a 6-4 lead with 9:47 left to play. However, the Tips pumped out four unanswered goals in the final 8:14 to earn the win. The game featured a crunching first period hit by the 6'8 Myers on 5'6 Zack Dailey that left the Tip forward feeling the effect for a couple of shifts.. Also in the Dub, Tyler Ennis (+1) assisted on a gorgeous short-handed play as Medicine Hat shut out Chilliwack, 3-0. The 5'9 forward now has seven points (2+5) in ten games. The Tigers square off with a rugged Regina squad on Saturday. Elsewhere in the NCAA, Justin Jokinen went pointless as Minnesota State scored three short-handed goals to spark their 5-1 pounding of North Dakota. Defenseman Corey Fienhage had a strong performance for the Sioux, finishing as one of six skaters to be even or better while showing his true colors with a roughing minor. Brad Eidsness was the back-up to Aaron Walski, and should get the start on Saturday when the two schools play it back. Drew MacKenzie was -1 as #17 Vermont upended #7 Miami, 4-3. MacKenzie was on the ice for the third Redhawks as the Catamounts move to 2-0 with the win. St. Lawrence defenseman Matt Generous was even with a shot on net in the Saints' 5-3 win over Niagara. SLU will head east to Rochester for a Saturday match-up with RIT. In the DEL, Philip Gogulla had four shots on goal in Cologne's 5-1 loss to Wolfsburg. With another loss, the Sharks remain second-to-last in the league standings. Drew Schiestel (-1) notched another assist as Niagara lost at Plymouth, 5-4. The Dogs power play is clicking with eight goals in four games, and the Hamilton native now has a point in six straight to equal his previous best run from last March. Nick Crawford was -2 in Saginaw's 3-0 shutout loss to Barrie. It was just the second time this season that the Caledon, Ontario native finished the game with a minus rating. The Spirit will host Schiestel's Dogs on Saturday. Also from the collegiate ranks, Michigan State winger Corey Tropp has come down with mono, obviously keeping him out of the lineup in the Spartans 3-1 win over Lowell. Expecting him to ready for next week's battle with Northern seems unreasonable at this point. The focus is on getting rest, and we all hope he gets well as quickly as possible.