Sunday, December 28, 2008

12/27 Recap: Tropp sets up win; Biega dazzles in defeat

At the Badger Showdown in Madison, Alex Biega factored in on both Crimson marks with a goal and an assist as Harvard lost to Lake Superior State, 6-2. Biega took a loose puck from his blue all the way home for an impressive first period goal, his second of the year, then later earned a helper after his point shot rebound was cashed in by Daniel Moriarty. Harvard will square off with Alabama-Huntsville for third-place. At the Great Lakes Invitational in Detroit, Corey Tropp had two assists as Michigan State played their best game of the season, ending their 11-game winless streak with a 2-1 win over North Dakota. Brad Eidsness took the loss for the Sioux, making 28 saves. Tropp made a nice play with the puck on the second Spartans goal, drawing Eidsness out of range before sliding it to Matt Schepke for his second goal of the game. Freshman rearguard Corey Fienhage did not dress for North Dakota. The MSU win sets up a title clash with rival Michigan, while the Sioux will face Michigan Tech in the consolation game. In QMJHL action, Paul Byron (+1) had an assist in Gatineau's 4-2 win over Rouyn-Noranda. The helper extends his current streak to 19 games with a point, the longest active run in the league. Jacob Lagacé had three assists as Chicoutimi smoked Rimouski, 8-2. The output puts the 5'11 forward back on a point-per-game pace with a total of 32 on the season. J.S. Allard (+1) set-up the game winning goal with :19 to play as Quebec defeated Baie-Comeau, 3-2. Allard is the Remparts 7th leading scorer with 25 points, and is still looking for his first goal since November 23rd. In an Atlantic Division match-up, Jordon Southorn (+2) had a power play assist as PEI defeated second place Cape Breton, 7-4. Joel Champagne had a goal and three assists for the Rocket in his first game after being traded from Chicoutimi earlier in the week. The win snaps PEI's five-game losing streak. Luke Adam finished -2 and was overmatched at the dot (6-10) as Montreal fell to Shawinigan, 5-1. The subject of Q trade whispers, defenseman T.J. Brennan was even for the Juniors as the Cataractes win the first game in their new barn. In the OHL, Nick Crawford (-2) returned from a shoulder ding, posting an assist in Saginaw's 4-3 loss to Plymouth. The Spirit (20-12-0-2) have now lost three straight. On Friday, Philip Gogulla was -1 in Cologne's 3-2 overtime loss to Iserlohn. Dennis Persson did not get a shift in Timra's 3-1 loss to Skelleftea on Friday.