In WHL play, Andrey Makarov made 25 saves to earn his 14th straight victory as Saskatoon got past Brandon 7-4. For the Blades, the winning streak becomes the longest in franchise history, surpassing the 1987-88 edition that finished as East Division champions. Makarov ups his record to 31-16-0-3 with a 2.49 GAA and .922 save%. Saskatoon visits Moose Jaw on Saturday.
Logan Nelson notched an assist as Victoria got spanked by Kelowna 8-3. The helper was Nelson's first point since Dec. 14 and first in four games since returning from a lower body injury. Draft eligible rearguard Madison Bowey notched a goal and an assist for the Rockets. The two clubs will complete the two-game set Saturday in Victoria.
Colin Jacobs went without a point as Prince George was clobbered by top-ranked Portland 6-2. Draft prospects Nic Petan and Seth Jones each scored a goal and an assist for the Winterhawks. The two teams will rematch Saturday in PG.
In the OHL, Justin Kea scored the game winning goal and added an assist as Saginaw doubled Kitchener 6-3. The game's number three star, Kea enters Saturday's tilt at Owen Sound with 21 goals and 45 points through 58 games. The Spirit head north on Saturday to battle Dan Catenacci and the Owen Sound Attack.
Alex Lepkowski finished with a minus-one rating as Barrie was defeated by Sudbury 5-2. The Colts will look to snap their season-high four-game losing streak on Saturday when they host Guelph.
In NCAA play, Christian Isackson (-1) punched two shots on goal as Minnesota skated to a 5-3 win over Minnesota Duluth. The sophomore forward has two assists in his last 10 games, and a total line of 3-13-16 in 31 games played. The Gophers go for the home-ice sweep of the Bulldogs on Saturday.
In the AHL, Mark Pysyk opened scoring with his fourth goal of the year but Rochester coughed up a 2-1 first intermission lead in taking a 3-2 loss to Hamilton. Phil Varone added a pair of assists for the Amerks to give him eight points in his last 10 games, while Brayden McNabb picked up a helper to get his 10th point in the last dozen games. Maxime Legault also scored for Rochester, who returns to action Tuesday versus Syracuse.
In the USHL, Judd Peterson missed his second game with an arm injury as Cedar Rapids edged Chicago 3-2. The Riders host league front-runner Dubuque on Saturday.
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On Thursday, Dan Catenacci was unable to connect as Owen Sound downed Barrie 3-2 in overtime. Alex Lepkowski finished with a minus-two rating as the Colts slid to their third straight loss.
In Sweden, Linus Ullmark served as backup as MODO was shut out by Linkopings 1-0. MODO resumes the SEL schedule Saturday at Farjestads.
