Zack Kassian continued his tear through the OHL Saturday, scoring two goals and two assists to lead Windsor to a 7-1 win over Peterborough. Kassian, who began last season as the Petes captain, posted his second four-point game in a week against his former club after a one goal, three assist effort in a 7-2 win last Sunday. He now has three goals and six helpers over his current three-game point streak.
In St. Catharines, Steven Shipley roofed the game winning goal as Niagara defeated Kitchener, 3-1. The power play marker, his ninth of the season, was his second goal in as many games and puts the fourth-rounder on a three-game point streak heading into Thursday's tilt with Canada's top junior club, Mississauga
In the WHL, Brayden McNabb doubled his season total with a pair of goals as Kootenay lost in overtime to Medicine Hat, 3-2. The 6'4 defender got the Ice on the board with a power play goal at 17:04 of the second period. Later in the third, McNabb would step out of the box after serving a delay of game penalty and immediately join the rush to bury a rebound with 7:51 left to force the OT. McNabb was mule as the game wore on, as the minor he served seemed as the only break he received in the final twenty minutes of play. The World Junior hopeful has points in three straight.
Kevin Sundher was in an ornery mood, picking up boarding, roughing, and high sticking minors as Chilliwack lost to Vancouver, 2-1. Sundher's quiet night snaps a six-game stretch over which he collected five goals and six assists to vault his way to a tie for #2 overall on the Sabres prospects scoring list with 1.12 points per game.
Riley Boychuk (-2) did not factor into the scoring as Portland was outgunned at Spokane, 4-3. The 6'5 grinder picked up a roughing minor in the loss to raise his prospect leading total to 61 PIM on the year.
Matt MacKenzie finished -3 as lowly Calgary lost to Kamloops in overtime, 3-2. Corey Fienhage (arm) suited up for the Blazers after being knocked him out of Friday night's game, finishing with a steady even rating.
In QMJHL action, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc notched another assist as Rimouski lost to the CHL's third-worst team Baie-Comeau, 3-2. The 6'2 defender has a line of 4-13-17 but has slid to a -10 rating through the first third of the season.
In NCAA play, Connor Knapp made 27 saves as #6 Miami rode an Alden Hirschfeld hat trick to take down #12 Notre Dame, 5-2. The 6'5 netminder, who made eight stops before the game was five minutes old, takes his record to 4-2-3 on the season, and currently leads the Sabres goaltending prospects with a 1.81 GAA and .918 save percentage.
Justin Jokinen contributed three shots on goal as Minnesota State defeated Minnesota, 2-1. The win, backboned by Phil Cook's 49 saves, gives the Mavericks their first ever sweep of the Gophers on home ice.
Nick Eno did not play as Bowling Green played to a 1-1 tie with Lake Superior. The 6'3 senior will take a 4-4-1 record, 2.66 GAA, and .902 save percentage into next weekend's set with Ohio State.
Brad Eidsness again served as backup as North Dakota rolled St. Cloud State, 6-2. Aaron Dell had to make 13 saves in the win, including just one in the third period, to get his sixth conference win of the season and 10th overall. Meanwhile Eidsness, who was an All-WCHA 2nd teamer last season after running up a streak of 38 consecutive starts, has played in just one of the last ten Sioux contests.
Mark Adams was scratched as Providence got shut down by Maine, 5-0. A freshman defenseman, Adams remains the only Sabres prospect yet to record a point this season.
