Andrey Makarov stopped 37 of 38 shots to earn his 10th straight victory as Saskatoon bested Moose Jaw 3-1. The first-star effort ups Makarov's season mark to 27-16-0-3 with a 2.51 GAA and .922 save%. The Blades, who sit in a tie for first place in the WHL's East Division, continue a two-game road trip Saturday in Medicine Hat.
Logan Nelson returned to the Victoria lineup as the Royals lost to Red Deer 2-1 in a shootout. Nelson, who suffered a lower body injury on December 28th causing him to miss 22 games, was stopped as the first Royals shooter in the deciding frames. Victoria continues their swing through Alberta Saturday in Calgary.
In the OHL, Dan Catenacci scored a pair of goals including the shorthanded game winner as Owen Sound doubled Guelph 4-2. The two-goal game, Catenacci's fifth of the season, gives the speedy forward 31 goals and 66 points heading into Saturday's tilt with Niagara.
Justin Kea (-2) was unable to produce a point as Saginaw lost to Oshawa 6-4. Draft eligible forward Jimmy Lodge notched a hat trick in defeat for the Spirit, who next host Windsor on Saturday.
Brady Austin maintained an even rating as Belleville edged Mississauga 1-0. Next up for the Bulls is a Saturday game with Sudbury.
In NCAA action, Jake McCabe picked up an assist as Wisconsin's comeback efforts came up short in a 3-2 loss to Minnesota. McCabe fit the puck through a seam to the Gophers net that was converted by Tyler Barnes to cut it to a one-goal deficit with 1:02 left in regulation. Christian Isackson notched a shot on goal and a roughing minor for the winners. The two clubs will finish the WCHA set on Sunday with an outdoor contest at Soldier Field in Chicago as part of the Office Max Hockey City Classic.
In the USHL, Judd Peterson (-1) posted two shots on goal as Cedar Rapids was handed a 4-1 loss at Chicago. The RoughRiders, who've won just two of their last 11 games, complete a road swing Saturday in Green Bay.
In AHL play, Nick Tarnasky scored his 11th goal of the year and David Leggio made 30 saves as Rochester dropped a 3-1 home ice decision to Houston. Despite the loss, the Amerks remain in second place in the North Division, four points behind Abbotsford with five games in hand.
The Rundown:
McNabb: -1, 3 SOG
Flynn: 3 SOG
Pysyk: SOG
Varone: -1, 2 SOG
Gauthier-Leduc: -1
Crawford: -1, SOG
Adam: -1
Sundher: -2
