Elsewhere, Justin Kea played his usual tough two-way game as Saginaw lost on the road in Sault Ste. Marie 2-1. The Spirit host Windsor on Saturday.
Brady Austin finished with a minus-one rating as Belleville dropped a 3-2 decision at Oshawa. The Bulls and Mississauga will meet on Saturday before heading home for the holiday.
In the WHL, Logan Nelson scored his eighth goal of the year on the power play as Victoria lost in a shootout to Red Deer 3-2. The energetic forward used his usual backhand move for a successful shootout attempt but the Rebels were able to cash all three of their own for the victory. The Royals will visit Edmonton on Saturday before both teams head into the Christmas break.
In NCAA action, Jake McCabe earned an assist as Wisconsin earned the sweep of Alabama-Huntsville with a 4-1 victory. The secondary helper gives the sophomore defender nine points (2+7) through 16 games heading into Team USA's World Junior Selection Camp. Brad Navin did not dress for the Badgers, who are off January 4-5 when they begin the second half of the season at Alaska-Anchorage.
In the USHL, Judd Peterson was scratched for the second straight game as Cedar Rapids defeated Sioux City 5-3. The RoughRiders battle Team USA U-18 on Saturday.