Sunday, November 30, 2008

11/29 Recap: Quartet makes connections

In the WHL, Tyler Myers scored his fourth goal of the season on the power play in addition to an earlier assist as Kelowna defeated Chilliwack, 3-0. With 19 points (4+15) in 23 games this season, Myers has already equaled his entire 2007-08 output (6+13), and is currently riding a career-best six-game point streak. At the College Hockey Showcase, Corey Tropp had two assists as Michigan State surrendered a two-goal lead in their 4-4 tie with Minnesota. The tie snaps a seven-game losing streak for the Spartans while upping thier winless streak to nine. The sophomore made an all-out effort play to give the Spartans a 2-0 first period lead when he completed a pass to Dan Sturges after falling down just inside the Gopher blueline. Tropp later spotted an open Andrew Rowe from behind the net to put MSU ahead 4-2 at the 8:43 mark of the second period. The Gophers, who entered the weekend as the nation's #1 team, finish the Showcase with a loss and a tie. Their leading scorer, Ryan Stoa (COL), was bounced six minutes in after receiving a game misconduct for checking from behind. In the OHL, Drew Schiestel bagged a pair of assists as Niagara lost to Barrie, 4-3. The assists, both of which came as part of the Dogs' third period surge, raise his season total to 24 - good for 4th in the OHL. Nick Crawford (+3) posted a two-assist night of his own as Saginaw cruised to a 7-1 win over Sarnia. The points put Crawford on the first three-game point streak of his major junior career. Sarnia's Joe Rogalski (Lancaster, NY) was -2 with a roughing minor as part of a chippy third period. In the Q, T.J. Brennan (3 SOG) had a power play assist as Montreal lost in overtime to Rouyn-Noranda, 4-3. The New Jersey native now has five points in his last three games. Luke Adam, who moved to center a game ago, was -1 with a pair of minor penalties for the Juniors. J.S. Allard (-1) did not factor as Quebec defeated Saint John, 5-3. Medicine Hat LW Tyler Ennis was kept in check as the Tigers gave up a goal with just :12 remaining to get edged by Brandon, 3-2. In Hockey East, Drew MacKenzie skated even for Vermont in their 3-2 win over Maine. Summer camp invite Brayden Irwin (Jr.) opened scoring with his fifth of the season, and has been playing well at both ends of the ice of late on a line with Viktor Stahlberg (TOR) and Brian Roloff (West Seneca, NY). In NCAA non-conference play, Matt Generous (-1, 2 PIM) had his hands full throughout as St. Lawrence fell to Boston University, 4-1. Brad Eidsness made 28 saves as North Dakota dropped a 2-1 decision to visiting Cornell. Sioux freshman Corey Fienhage was scratched in favor of Ben Blood (OTT). 2008 fourth-rounder Justin Jokinen was inserted into the Maverick lineup, finishing even with a shot on goal as Mankato downed Bowling Green, 5-2.