12/29 Recap: Defenders score; Pysyk steady

Alex Lepkowski scored his fourth goal of the year Thursday as Barrie earned a 4-3 shootout win over Brampton. The 6'4 defender has seven points in 22 games this season. Entering the year, he had seven points in 92 career OHL tilts. Colts forward Gregg Sutch did not play after being scratched with a head injury.

Nathan Lieuwen made 21 saves as Kootenay stumbled to a 4-2 loss at Red Deer. Despite winning just two of his last eight starts, the 6'5 netminder remains among WHL leaders with a 2.18 goals against average (2nd) and .923 save percentage (3rd).

At the Catamount Cup, Drew MacKenzie scored late on the power play as host Vermont continued their disappointing year with a 5-3 loss to Lake Superior State. The senior defenseman has five goals through his first 15 games. Last year, MacKenzie scored five times in 34 contests.



At the 2012 World Junior Championship, Mark Pysyk (+1, 1 SOG) was unable to get in on the scoring as Canada blew past Denmark, 10-2. Through three tourney games, Pysyk is +4 with three shots on goal while being one of two Canadian skaters who has yet to record a point in the tourney (Jamie Oleksiak the other).