In Saturday action, Alex Lepkowski scored for the second straight game as Barrie downed Erie, 5-3. The 6'4 lefty gave the Colts a 2-1 lead early in the second period when his point shot deflected off an Otters defenseman and into the net. The West Seneca native ups his season line five goals and eight points in 23 games. Colts forward Gregg Sutch missed his second straight game with a head injury.
Steve Shipley recorded an assist as Niagara lost to Guelph, 4-1. The 6'3 center was on the ice for all five goals in the game en route to finishing with a -3 rating. Shipley ends 2011 with points in seven of his last eight (4+8).
In the WHL, Colin Jacobs was unable to produce much as Seattle came up empty in a 2-0 loss to Portland. The 6'2 center has gone four games without a point for the T-Birds, who closed 2011 by being outshot 38-18.
In the college ranks, Brad Navin finished -1 as Wisconsin defeated the USA U18 squad, 4-3. The Badgers will welcome RIT to Madison next weekend for a non-conference set.
Christian Isackson sent four shots on goal as #2 Minnesota dropped a 3-2 decision to Northeastern in the championship of the Mariucci Classic. The six-foot freshman is +1 with no points in seven games played. The Gophers will battle Notre Dame on Saturday.
Brad Eidsness did not play as North Dakota defeated Harvard, 7-3. On Saturday, North Dakota will play a "home" game in Winnipeg against Clarkson.
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At the World Junior Championship, Joel Armia notched an assist as Finland completed pool play with a 4-0 win over the Czech Republic. Armia now has three goals and two assists through the four round-robin games. After the game, Armia told the Finnish press that he felt his line was the team's worst in the win (will credit with proper link). Giving himself fuel heading into the medal round can only be a good thing. Finland plays Slovakia in the quarterfinals on Monday.
Mark Pysyk was a team-best +2 as Canada held on to defeat the relegation-bound USA, 3-2. The stay-at-home Pysyk, who remains as one of two Team Canada skaters yet to record a point in the tourney, ends pool play with a cumulative +6 rating (3rd highest on team, 2nd among D). Canada will face the winner of the Czech Republic/Russia on Tuesday.
