Sunday, January 17, 2010

1/16 Recap: Tropp assists pace Spartans

Corey Tropp stacked up three assists on Saturday as #7 Michigan State played to a 4-4 tie with Notre Dame. The junior helped the Spartans get off to a 2-0 lead at the end of one, and later set-up the game-tying goal with 2:21 left in regulation after the Irish uncorked four straight goals. With his eleventh multi-point effort of the year, the junior ups is total to 35 (17+18) in 26 games, good for third overall among NCAA skaters. The Spartans will host Ohio State next weekend.

As a reminder, you can cast a vote for Tropp in phase I of the Hobey Baker selection process here.

In WCHA action, Brad Eidsness made 18 saves but suffered his first defeat in his last six starts as #4 North Dakota was upset at Minnesota, 5-1. Corey Fienhage finished -1 in the loss after being on the ice for Josh Birkholz's rebound tally in the first period.

A three-goal second period paved the way for the Gophers, with the marks coming on a breakaway, a 2-1 off a turnover, and a flukey play that saw the puck float over Eidsness without him seeing it. The Sioux will look to rebound next week against #9 Cornell before taking on current #1 Denver two weeks from now.

Justin Jokinen finished even with two shots on goal as Minnesota State lost a 4-3 overtime decision to #10 Minnesota-Duluth. The Mavericks sophomore received a double minor for roughing in the second period after jostling with David Grun.

In the CCHA, Connor Knapp did not receive his usual Saturday night start as #2 Miami held on to sweep #6 Ferris State, 4-2. The RedHawks, who entered the weekend tied with the Bulldogs atop the league standings, went back to sophomore Cody Reichard after Friday's shutout victory. It was no surprise to see Enrico Blasi temporarily abandon his set rotation to stay hot on the road after being swept by unranked Robert Morris a week ago, but things could get a little hairy with Reichard emerging as a legit Hobey Baker candidate with a 12-2-1 record (10-0-1 in conference), a .932 save percentage, and four shutouts.

Elsewhere, Nick Eno made 33 saves as Bowling Green battled to a 3-3 overtime tie with Northern Michigan.

In Hockey East, Drew MacKenzie skated even as #18 Vermont trounced Northeastern, 9-2. Prospect camp veteran Brayden Irwin paced the Catamounts with a hat trick and an assist.

In the WHL, Brayden McNabb assisted on the power play game-winner as Kootenay edged Spokane, 4-3.

In the OHL, Marcus Foligno was even as Sudbury downed Owen Sound, 4-3 in overtime. Foligno made quite an impact on the road with his pesky play, drilling defenseman Geoffrey Schemitsch into the boards in the second period and not taking the bait to drop the gloves late in the game.

In the QMJHL, Jordon Southorn was -2 as PEI lost to Drummondville, 6-5 in a shootout. The Rocket at one point trailed 4-0 in the first period before completing a comeback with three goals in the final twenty minutes.

In the USHL, Mark Adams was -1 with three shots on goal as Chicago got smoked at Cedar Rapids, 6-1.