Sunday, December 9, 2012

12/8 Recap: Grigo takes lead; Makarov shuts door

In Saturday action, Mikhail Grigorenko scored the game winning goal and then added an empty-netter to lead Quebec to a 4-2 victory at Saint John. Grigorenko, who will next head to Russia to begin training for the 2013 World Junior Championship, departs with a QMJHL-leading 29 goals through 30 games played, while his total of 50 points places fourth overall.



In WHL play, Andrey Makarov had to make just 15 saves as Saskatoon battered Regina 9-0. The shutout was Makarov's third of the year and third in his last 10 starts. The Saskatchewan-based clubs will complete the home-and-home Sunday in Regina.

Logan Nelson saw his 10-game point streak come to an end as Victoria edged Swift Current 2-1 in the only meeting this season between the two clubs. Despite the blanking, Nelson maintains his point-per-game pace with six goals and 29 points with just three games left to play before the Christmas break.

In Sweden, Linus Ullmark stopped 23 of 25 shots in his first SEL start of the season as MODO headed to the break with a 3-2 overtime victory over Lulea. MODO returns to action the day after Christmas against AIK.



In the OHL, Justin Kea notched an assist as Saginaw dropped a 6-4 decision to Sault Ste. Marie. The 6-foot-4 centerman has collected points in four of his last five games. The clubs will renew acquaintances when Saginaw travels to Soo next Friday.

Brady Austin recorded one assist as Belleville doubled Owen Sound 4-2. Attack leading scorer Dan Catenacci (17-28-45) saw his six-game point streak come to a halt in his final game before heading to Calgary for Team Canada's Selection Camp.



Alex Lepkowski (even) was whistled for a checking from behind minor in Barrie's 6-2 thrashing of Kingston. The Colts host Oshawa on Thursday.

In NCAA play, sophomores Brad Navin and Jake McCabe each registered assists as Wisconsin played to a 3-3 tie with Michigan Tech. The Badgers, who tied both ends of the conference set to remain unbeaten in their last four, will stay in Madison for a Thursday-Friday set with Alabama-Huntsville.

Christian Isackson punched four shots on goal in his return to top-line duty as Minnesota coughed up a three-goal third-period lead in a 4-4 tie with Colorado College. The Gophers will now head to semester break, returning after Christmas on Dec. 29 to open the Mariucci Classic against Air Force.

In the USHL, Judd Peterson recorded a season-low minus-three rating as Cedar Rapids was blanked by Muskegon 3-0. The RoughRiders return to action Wednesday versus Lincoln.

In Finland, Joel Armia launched seven shots in 21:07 of work as Assat Pori was defeated 2-1 by the Espoo Blues. With 10 goals through 24 games, Armia has doubled his pace from a season ago (five goals through first 24 games). However, the right winger has yet to score in back-to-back games this season. Armia will now leave to join the U20 Finnish National Team to prep for the World Junior Championship.

In AHL action, Jonathan Parker scored his first two goals of the season as Rochester lost at Toronto 4-3. Connor Knapp made 25 saves in his first back-to-back starts as a pro. Luke Adam added the other tally for the Amerks, who head back to Rochester for Tuesday's tilt with Abbotsford.