Saturday, September 21, 2013

9/20 Recap: Pro camp momentum evident in openers

Logan Nelson got his WHL season off on the right foot Friday with a career-high four assists as Victoria downed rival Vancouver 4-2. The four-point night, which earned the number two star of the game, was the first for Nelson since joining the Royals for the 2011-12 season. Fellow third-year man Austin Carroll, who participated in summer sessions with Phoenix and later earned an invite to Anaheim's training camp, paced the winners with a hat trick. The clubs will travel to Victoria to complete the home-and-home series on Saturday.



In the OHL, Justin Bailey notched a power play goal in his first game back from Buffalo as Kitchener opened the season with a 4-2 doubling of Saginaw. Bailey's all-around effort was rewarded with the game's number two star. Former Buffalo Jr. Sabres defenseman Frank Hora ('14) finished with a plus-one rating in his OHL debut. Justin Kea recorded his first assist of the season for the Spirit in defeat.



Brady Austin netted his first goal of the season and added an assist to earn the game's number three star in Belleville's 5-4 loss at Ottawa. The 20-year defender went deep in the zone to post a wraparound tally to give the Bulls an early 1-0 lead. Draft eligible forward David Tomasek posted a goal and an assist for the losing side. The Bulls will head home for their Saturday home opener versus North Bay.



Dense fog at the rink in Sudbury caused the postponement of Nick Baptiste's season debut against Sault Ste. Marie. The Wolves and Greyhounds will be itching to go on Saturday when the teams travel back to Soo to kick off their regular season schedules.