Andrey Makarov made 25 saves Wednesday but the Saskatoon Blades were bounced from the WHL playoffs with a 3-1 loss to Medicine Hat. The East Division champion Blades were swept in the series 4-0, and will now wait over a month and a half before hosting the 2013 Memorial Cup starting May 17.
In the QMJHL, Mikhail Grigorenko notched a goal and an assist as Quebec blanked Chicoutimi 4-0. The big pivot has amassed two goals and 10 points thus far as the Remparts have shot out to a 3-1 series lead. Quebec will look to close the first-round affair Friday night at home.
In the OHL, Dan Catenacci was shut down as Owen Sound dropped a 1-0 overtime decision at Sault Ste. Marie. The series is even at 2-2 heading back to Owen Sound for Friday's pivotal game five.
Alex Lepkowski played even as Barrie swept Kingston with an 8-2 victory. The #2 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Colts will wait for the completion of the other first round series to learn who their next opponent will be.
In Finland, Joel Armia recorded seven shots in 18:36 of work as Assat advanced to the SM-Liiga semifinal round with a 3-0 shutout of KalPa. The Aces take the series 4-1, with Armia collecting two goals and an assist to help the cause. The Assat will face either Jokerit or JYP pending the outcome of Jokerit's series with Lukko.
In the AHL, Rick Schofield's first-period goal held up and David Leggio stopped all 38 shots sent his way as Rochester Earned a 1-0 victory over Syracuse. Zemgus Girgensons assisted on the Amerks' tally, giving the rookie 14 points (4+10) through his first 50 professional games.
