In OHL play, Steven Shipley scored his fifth goal of the season as Niagara defeated Windsor, 6-3. The 6'3 center opened scoring with a power play marker at 5:48 of the first period to end a five-game point slumber. Niagara will visit a tough Sarnia club on Saturday.
Kevin Sundher struck late on the power play as Victoria lost to Kamloops, 4-1. The six-foot center notched his 15th of the year with 3:51 left in regulation to break Cole Cheveldave's shutout. With 38 points in 23 games, Sundher will now patiently wait to get a call when Team Canada's World Junior Selection Camp roster is announced on Monday.
Elsewhere, Nathan Lieuwen stopped all 35 shots he faced as Kootenay blanked Kelowna, 4-0. The shutout, Lieuwen's second of the year and eighth of his career, improved his league lead in the goals against average (1.78) and save percentage (.938) categories. The ICE are off until Wednesday when they visit Saskatoon.
Daniel Catenacci scored his 15th goal of the year but was stoned in his shootout attempt as Owen Sound dropped a 4-3 decision to Sudbury. Catenacci, who now has goals in three straight after scoring in just one of his previous dozen games, will be in familiar territory Saturday when the Attack travels to Sault Ste. Marie for the first time since his trade this fall.
Gregg Sutch (+1) picked up an assist as Barrie thumped London, 6-2. The 6'2 grinder has gone eight games without a goal since getting bumped out of Barrie's loaded top-six. Alex Lepkowski missed his fourth straight game with a back injury.
In QMJHL action, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc posted a pair of assists as Rimouski downed Blainville-Boisbriand, 5-3. The helpers, one shorthanded and the other with the man advantage to set-up Alexandre Mallet's game winner, give Leduc 37 points on the season - 12 more than other QMJHL defenseman. It seems that Canada will look hard at Leduc as an offensive option since Ryan Murphy of the Kitchener Rangers is still sidelined with a concussion.
Cedrick Henley scored the deciding goal in the shootout to give Val-d'Or a 5-4 win over Bathurst. The 6'5 captain hasn't scored in his last seven games. He had gotten a goal in six in previous seven leading up to the slumber. The Foreurs will take on Baie-Comeau on Saturday.
Mark Pysyk (upper body) did not play as Edmonton blanked Medicine Hat, 3-0. The Oil Kings captain has missed the last four games while being listed as "day-to-day", but could get back Saturday when Lethbridge comes to town. There is no question that Hockey Canada wished they had seen a little more of Pysyk before Monday's camp announcement.
At the Denver Cup Classic, Connor Knapp made 19 saves in his first start since October 28th to help Miami to a 6-2 win over Providence. Knapp earned the non-league visit, his second of the season, after serving as backup for the previous six games. Mark Adams, who has yet to record a shot on goal in five games since returning from a lower body injury, did not get in on either of the Friars goals. Miami will face the host Pioneers for the tourney title on Saturday. Providence and Princeton will open the day in the consolation.
In the WCHA, Brad Eidsness stopped all 13 shots he faced in relief of starter Aaron Dell as North Dakota held on for a thrilling 7-6 win over Colorado College. Eidsness, who hadn't seen any action since getting yanked in a loss to Wisconsin back on October 21st, entered the game at 10:54 of the second period after Dell allowed six goals on 22 shots. Eidsness stopping the bleeding should lead to a start Saturday when the teams drop the puck for what is sure to be an exciting rematch.
Justin Jokinen potted a goal and an assist as Minnesota State lost to Alaska-Anchorage, 5-4. The multi-point game was the fourth of Jokinen's four-year career in Mankato, and the first against a WCHA opponent.
Brad Navin recorded a shot on goal as Wisconsin throttled Mercyhurst, 7-2. Navin, who moved to center for the front end of the non-league set, has been solid through his first 14 games in Madison despite producing just one assist. The clubs will complete the set on Saturday.
Drew MacKenzie logged a -2 as as Vermont lost to old friend Colgate, 4-1. The schools were meeting for just the third time since the Catamounts left the ECAC for Hockey East in 2005. Vermont welcomes Dartmouth to town on Sunday.
Christian Isackson was scratched for the ninth straight game as Minnesota lost at Michigan State, 4-3. The freshman has appeared in the Gopher lineup just twice thus far. Minnesota will look for the split on Saturday.
