Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Catenacci performs well as OHL evens Super Series

Dan Catenacci (-1) was unable to produce a point but showed well at both ends as Team OHL evened the 2012 Subway Super Series with a 2-1 win victory over Team Russia. The series will now shift to Vancouver, where Team WHL looks to earn the series win in the final two games.

Catenacci, who entered the game tied for third in OHL scoring with 32 points (14+18), centered a line with Max Domi ('13) and Josh Leivo (TOR). The Sabres third round pick in the 2011 draft, Catenacci performed well on faceoffs while occupying a spot on Team OHL's top penalty kill unit with Ryan Strome (NYI).

After Russia took a timeout in the final minute of regulation trailing 2-0, Catenacci was tabbed to take the key defensive zone draw for Team OHL. Russia would rally with the extra attacker as Nail Yakupov scored with :36 left, but Catenacci, one of the league's top faceoff men, remained on the ice with Barrie forwards Mark Schiefele (WIN) and Anthony Camara (BOS) to close out the 2-1 triumph.

With a strong performance in the books, Catenacci remains in the hunt for a spot with Team Canada for the 2013 World Junior Championship. Physically mature and more experienced than some younger Canadian players, the 5-foot-10 speedster showed his developing all-around game for Hockey Canada scouts, using his body to win board battles and rotating into scoring position away from the puck. Hockey Canada is expected to name their National Junior Selection Camp roster in early December.