Sunday, October 30, 2011

10/29 Recap: Sundher lays four of a kind; Armia scratched

Step aside, Leduc. There's a new sheriff in town and his name is Kevin Sundher.

Sundher potted four goals for his first ever WHL hat trick and added an assist as Victoria stomped to a 7-3 Saturday night shellacking of Seattle. The slick playmaker, who now has multiple points in 11 of 17 games this season, vaults into the WHL scoring lead with 32 points (11+21).





The four goals tie for second-most in a single game among recent Sabres prospects, equaling efforts from repeat offenders Luke Adam (11/9/07, 12/10/09) and Tyler Ennis (2/21/09). Ennis set the recent mark with a six-goal night for Medicine Hat on 2/27/09. Sundher will get some time to enjoy his recent roll before strapping it back on Friday for a tilt with rival Vancouver.

Nathan Lieuwen made 28 saves to guide Kootenay to a 4-1 win over Portland. The 6'5 Lieuwen, victorious in four straight for a league-best nine wins on the year, continues to lead the WHL with a 1.45 goals against average and .948 save percentage. The ICE will do battle with Everett on Friday.

In QMJHL action, Cedrick Henley scored his fifth goal of the year as Val-d'Or lost to Halifax, 5-2. Henley had zero goals in the season's first 10 games (and none in his last 20 going back to the end of 2010-11), but has five in his last six. Les Foreurs return to action Thursday at Cape Breton.

In the OHL, Dan Catenacci picked up a power play assist as Owen Sound downed Oshawa, 6-2. The 5'10 center continues to lead the Attack offense with 20 points (8+12). Owen Sound plays host to Windsor on Sunday.

Gregg Sutch logged a -1 in Barrie's 5-1 win over Windsor. After being paired with Mark Scheifele for two games, Sutch instead skated on a line with Zach Hall and Ivan Telegin. Alex Lepkowski (-1) returned to the Barrie blueline after an eight-game absence. The Colts will get a few days off before Thursday's tilt at Windsor.

Steven Shipley returned to the lineup after missing four games with a concussion, finishing -1 as Niagara lost in a shootout to Sudbury, 2-1. The IceDogs welcome Oshawa to St. Catharines on Thursday.

Mark Pysyk did not play due to illness as Edmonton lost at Brandon, 3-2. The Oil Kings will get a full week of rest before Saturday's games with Seattle.

In Finland, Joel Armia was a healthy scratch as Assat was blanked by JYP, 2-0. The 18-year old wing, who has steadily seen his minutes slide over the past couple of weeks, was relegated to fourth-line duty on Friday before the Saturday benching. He has just two goals through his first 17 games, a total that needs to be higher with World Juniors under two months away. We'll be keeping a close eye out Tuesday to see if Armia can re-enter the lineup when the Aces lace 'em up with HIFK.

In NCAA play, Brad Navin was even with a shot on goal as Wisconsin defeated Nebraska-Omaha, 6-3. The Badgers will travel to St. Cloud on Friday.

Brad Eidsness backed-up Aaron Dell as North Dakota earned the split by defeating St. Cloud State, 3-1. The Sioux tangle with Minnesota next weekend.

Christian Isackson was scratched in Minnesota's 3-1 sweeper over Alaska-Anchorage.

Drew MacKenzie missed his second game due to injury as Vermont was doubled by Merrimack, 4-2. The Catamounts continue their Hockey East schedule next weekend with a set against Providence.

Providence defenseman Mark Adams remained on the shelf with a lower body injury as the Friars lost at Maine, 3-1.