Saturday, December 4, 2010

12/3 Recap: Pysyk pumps home first; Ship rights ship

Destined to go to Team Canada's Selection Camp with a mark in the goal column, Mark Pysyk tallied his first of the year Friday and added three assists as Edmonton doubled Brandon, 8-4. Pysyk, who netted the first four-point night of his junior career, glided into the zone and filled the net with a wrister at 6:47 of the second period to tie the game 4-4 and essentially open the floodgates for the Oil Kings. Edmonton is now unbeaten in their last five.

Elsewhere, Steve Shipley scored a goal and two assists as Niagara lost a 6-5 road game in Sarnia. Shipley, who had gone six games without scoring a goal, will enter Saturday's meeting with Kitchener toting a two-game point streak. Ryan Strome ('11) produced his second consecutive two-goal game for the winners. The evening featured a total of 17 power plays, including a 7:00 advantage for the Dogs in which they could not score.

Gregg Sutch picked up an assist as Mississauga extended their unbeaten streak to 18 games with a 4-1 win over London. Sutch made a nice feed from behind the net to Rob Flick for his 16th point of the year and a 2-0 Majors lead with 1:40 to play in the opening period.

Marcus Foligno earned an assist as Sudbury was outshot 41-15 in a 3-2 loss to Brampton. The Wolves will take Saturday off before hosting Barrie on Sunday.

In the Q, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc finished the game -2 as Rimouski lost to Chicoutimi, 5-3. Charles Hudon ('12) had three assist for the Sags.

In Western League play, Riley Boychuk (+1) earned an assist as Portland defeated Tri-City, 5-1. Sven Bartschi ('11) added two assists for the Winterhawks.

Matt MacKenzie had a pair of assists as Calgary defeated Vancouver, 4-3.  The multi-point night gives the 6'2 rearguard 13 points (1+12) through 26 games.

Corey Fienhage left the game in the third period with an apparent arm injury as Kamloops fell in overtime to Saskatoon, 4-3. It's unclear if Fienhage will dress Saturday against Calgary, but my guess is that he wakes up sore after the game-ending collision with Darian Dziurzynski.

Kevin Sundher assisted on the game winning goal as Chilliwack carved a 3-2 win over Kelowna. The Bruins trailed 2-0 after two periods before uncorking a three-goal third to snatch the win.

In the NCAA, Nick Eno made 26 saves as Bowling Green skated to a 1-1 tie with Lake Superior. Eno had shut the Lakers down for over 46-minutes before allowing the game-tying goal.

Justin Jokinen skated -1 as Minnesota State defeated rival Minnesota, 3-2. The win came in the Mavericks' first home game since 10/23.

Mark Adams (-2) registered a shot on goal as Providence rallied to a 3-3 tie with Maine. The two clubs will play it back on Saturday.

Connor Knapp did not play as #6 Miami surrendered a 5-4 decision to #12 Notre Dame. It was the fourth time in 10 games that the RedHawks had a lead after 40 minutes only to tie or lose, and the fifth time in that span the RedHawks gave up third-period goals that have decided games.

Brad Eidsness served as backup as North Dakota defeated St. Cloud, 3-1. With Aaron Dell (5-1-1, 1.56 GAA, .931 sv%)  needing a rest and the Sabres likely making calls to Grand Forks wondering when Eidsness will next play, perhaps Sioux coach Dave Hakstol gives the junior the start when the teams reconvene on Saturday.

In the USHL, Christian Isackson finished -3 as Sioux Falls edged Omaha, 5-4.