Nick Baptiste (+3) hit the slot for his 18th goal of the year and added a pair of helpers as Sudbury cruised past Niagara 6-1. Baptiste, whose 18 goals are tied for sixth overall in the OHL, has now collected three points or more five times this season. Sudbury visits Erie on Saturday.
Justin Bailey stepped into a faceoff win for his eighth goal of the year as Kitchener doubled Belleville 8-4. The big winger now has goals in back-to-back games and five in his last nine appearances. The Rangers will go for two wins in a row Sunday afternoon at Guelph.
Justin Kea logged a minus-two rating as Saginaw dropped a 4-3 overtime decision to Plymouth. Draft eligible forward Matt Mistele scored a goal and an assist for the winning Whalers. Saginaw gets back to work Saturday at home versus Sarnia.
In the WHL, Logan Nelson spun his way to a goal and picked up an assist as Victoria smoked Kamloops 6-1. Victoria's offensive leader with 26 points (11+15), Nelson will take a three-game streak into Saturday as the Royals complete the weekend set with the Blazers.
In college action, J.T. Compher snagged a pair of assists as #5 Michigan pitched a 6-0 shutout of Niagara. The two-helper effort was Compher's third multi-point outing of his 11-game NCAA career. The Wolverines open the B1G schedule next Friday versus Ohio State.
Anthony Florentino contributed four shots on goal as #3 Providence lost in overtime 3-2 to #20 New Hampshire. Mark Adams was a scratch for the Friars. Providence will look to rebound and earn the Hockey East split on Saturday.
Christian Isackson was scratched #1 Minnesota throttled #19 Minnesota-Duluth 6-1. The two clubs finish the non-conference set on Sunday.
In the USHL, Judd Peterson (5 SOG) roofed a breakaway tally for his ninth goal of the year as Cedar Rapids edged Muskegon 3-2 in overtime. Peterson missed a good chunk of the third period after getting whistled for two minutes plus a10-minute misconduct for checking from behind. Connor Hurley was scratched for the Lumberjacks. Cedar Rapids is off until Thursday at Waterloo, while Muskegon heads home for a Saturday tilt with Team USA.
Cal Petersen stopped 26 of 33 shots as Waterloo dropped a wild 8-6 decision Team USA. Petersen battled well until Team USA scored three power play goals in a span of 2:47 late in period two. The seven goals against are the most allowed by the Notre Dame commit in 46 career USHL starts. Petersen, who saw his seven-game winning streak snapped, could get a rest when the Black Hawks visit Lincoln on Saturday.
In AHL action, Dan Catenacci and Chad Ruhwedel each scored their third goals of the year as Rochester lost to Utica 3-2. The Catenacci marker snaps a 12-game goal drought. Johas Larsson contributed two assists, while Joel Armia posted a single helper. Rasmus Ristolainen led the Amerks with four shots on goal. Nathan Lieuwen made 28 saves in defeat for the Amerks, who'll look for revenge Saturday when the clubs travel down the 90 back to Utica.
In Sweden, Linus Ullmark served as backup to Anton Forsberg (CBJ), and Gustav Possler missed his fifth-straight game (knee) as MODO was defeated by Orebro HK 2-1. MODO, who currently sits in fifth place in the SHL, hosts Leksands on Tuesday.
In the ECHL, Andrey Makarov made 20 saves in Fort Wayne's 4-3 loss to Reading. The Komets host Wheeling on Saturday.
Jonathan Parker was unable to connect as Colorado skated to a 4-3 overtime win over Las Vegas. The Eagles outshot the Wranglers 41-20 en route to victory. Colorado completes the three-game stanza with Las Vegas on Saturday.
Connor Knapp backed up as Greenville defeated Gwinnett 3-2. The Road Warriors will look for the weekend split when the teams head back to Gwinnett on Saturday.
