Sunday, December 7, 2008

12/6 Recap: Myers ready to compete; Byron keeps pilin'

Tyler Myers (+1) was a controlling presence throughout as Kelowna needed a three-goal third period to defeat Chilliwack, 5-2. Paired with offensive-minded 2009 prospect Tyson Barrie, the 6'7 World Junior hopeful stepped up and labeled a Bruin forward with a solid shoulder midway through the opening period, and was steady on the puck in all zones in the win. Showing a physical spike while making quick, simple plays up ice for the bulk of his 26 games to date, the mobile Myers will take a five-day break before hitting the ice at Team Canada's selection camp on Thursday in Ottawa. Tyler Ennis was -2 as Medicine Hat lost at Brandon, 4-1. The speedy left wing will play one more game on Monday before heading east to Ottawa. The Wheaties' 2009 eligible duo did not disappoint with Scott Glennie potting pairs of goals and assists while Brayden Schenn hit for a three-point night (1G, 2A). Red hot Paul Byron (+2) had a pair of assists for Gatineau in their 3-0 shutout of Montreal. Byron has now connected for a point in 15 straight games, the second longest streak in the Q this season (Cedric Lalonde-McNicoll is currently amidst a 19-gamer for Shawinigan). T.J. Brennan and Luke Adam were both -2 for the Juniors. In Lewiston, Jean-Simon Allard snagged an unassisted goal as Quebec downed Lewiston, 5-4. Lewiston goaltender Peter Delmas became the first of two QMJHL goaltenders credited with a goal on Saturday (Rimouski's Maxime Gougeon was the other) when former Sabres pick Benjamin Breault sent a point pass all the way back into his own net on a delayed penalty. Also from the Q, Jacob Lagacé (+2) scored an empty-netter in Chicoutimi's 3-1 win over Rouyn-Noranda. The goal was the 12th of the season for the Sags' top-line winger. Drew Schiestel was -2 as Niagara couldn't keep up with #1 ranked Windsor in an 8-4 loss. The Spits closed strong, posting four goals in the final 12:00 to up their record to 26-3. 2009 eligible Taylor Hall had a goal and three assists for the winners. In the NCAA, Brad Eidsness made 33 saves, some of the spectacular variety including 13 in the third period, as North Dakota earned the sweep at Harvard with a 4-3 win. The weekend wins improve Eidsness' line to 7-5-1, with the first star performance placing him into contention for WCHA Rookie of the Week for a second time this season. Corey Fienhage dressed for the ninth time, finishing +1 while registering his fourth shot on goal of the year. Alex Biega combined with his brother Michael to set-up the first Harvard goal. Corey Tropp (-2, 2 PIM) assisted on Jeff Petry's slapper goal as Michigan State got swept by rival Michigan, 5-3. The Spartans (4-11-3) held a 3-2 lead with 4:00 to play before a three goal collapse extended the season-long frustration in E. Lansing. Matt Generous had another steady game defensively as St. Lawrence was shutout at Lynah, 1-0. Colin Greening (OTT) scored the game's only goal to put Cornell into a tie for first place in the ECAC with Princeton. In Hockey East, Andrew Orpik was whistled for an interference minor as Boston College lost to BU, 3-1. The senior has three goals and eight points on the year. After a rather less-than-savory effort on Friday, Justin Jokinen was scratched in Mankato's loss to St. Cloud. In the SEL, Dennis Persson was -1 in 7:55 of shifts as Timra defeated Rogle, 5-2.