Sunday, November 22, 2009

11/21 Recap: Kassian leads; Lagacé stays warm

Zack Kassian scored a shorthanded goal and assisted on the game winner on Saturday as Peterborough edged Niagara, 3-2. With his team trailing 2-1 after 40-minutes, the Petes captain scored at 5:02 of the third period to tie the game, shift momentum, and help earn the game's #1 star honors. With the two-point night, Kassian notched back-to-back multi-point efforts for the first time this season.

Jacob Lagacé extended his point streak to seven games by scoring a goal in Chicoutimi's 3-2 loss to PEI. The goal was Lagacé's 15th of the season, and 11th at even strength. Rocket defenseman Jordon Southorn was +2 with an assist and a fighting major in the win. The 6'2 Southorn took five after initiating with Sags forward Rock Régimbald, whose knee-on-knee hit in the third period left Rocket scorer Benjamin Casavant hobbling to the locker room.

Luke Adam posted a pair of assists as Cape Breton came up short in a 4-3 shootout loss to Bathurst. Adam has been a dominant offensive force for the Screaming Eagles with 36 points in 25 games, but he continues to struggle in shootouts with an 0/8 mark over his four junior seasons. The Eagles as a whole are not fans of the breakway session as evidenced by their 0/17 season number.

Also from the QMJHL, Maxime Legault assisted on the game winning goal as Shawinigan bested Montreal, 3-1.

In the OHL, Nick Crawford was -2 with an assist as Barrie defeated Saginaw, 4-2. 2009 eligible Ivan Telegin (6'3, 185 lbs.) scored his 18th goal of the year for the Spirit.

Marcus Foligno finished -1 as Sudbury was outclassed by Mississauga-St. Mike's, 5-1. The gritty wing earned a late game misconduct after trying to fight Majors' dman Cameron Gaunce as part of a chippy third period. The Majors (19-4-2) outshot the Wolves (9-14-0-2) by a 54-20 margin.

In the NCAA, Brad Eidsness made 29 saves but #2 North Dakota coughed up an early two-goal lead in a 3-2 loss at #3 Denver. Eidsness, who was very strong in the weekend losses. allowed three power play goals in the second period, including two off the stick of former AJHL rival, Joe Colborne. Corey Fienhage was steady defensively in his third straight game for the Sioux while becoming more comfortable moving the puck.

Connor Knapp made 29 saves as #1 Miami tied Western Michigan, 1-1. The goal against came after a turnover down low caused a Bronco forward to shovel the puck past the sophomore netminder. With Knapp's last two Saturdays resulting in 1-1 ties, SabresProspects is thinking the same could hold true next week when the Redhawks meet up with Brad Eidsness and current #2 North Dakota at the Subway Holiday Classic in Grand Forks.

In other CCHA action, Nick Eno made 26 saves as Bowling Green's winning streak was halted at one with a 4-1 loss to #16 Michigan. A tip-in and a clean wrister from the slot gave the Wolverines a two-goal lead in the first 12 minutes. Moments later a turnover from in deep upped UM's advantage to 3-1, and they never loooked back. The loss drops Eno's record to 2-4 on the year.

In the ECAC, Alex Biega (-1) uncorked eight shots on goal as Harvard played to a 2-2 tie with Clarkson. The Crimson held a 2-0 lead late into the third before surrendering two goals :32 apart in the 56th minute.

Justin Jokinen was -1 as Minnesota State lost at Alaska-Anchorage, 4-1. Jokinen should continue to see steady playing time with junior forward Andrew Sackrison suffering a broken leg in Friday's 8-3 win.

In the USHL, Mark Adams did not play in Chicago's 4-0 shutout loss to Indiana.

Brayden McNabb did not take the ice for Kootenay's game with Swift Current, which makes his projected return set for next Friday (and his inclusion in the Subway Superseries still questionable).