Sunday, January 12, 2014

1/11 Recap: Baptiste, Locke spark wins; Backstops stand out

In Saturday action, Nick Baptiste notched his 23rd goal of the year and a pair of assists to earn the game's number one star as Sudbury skated to a 4-2 victory over Belleville. The productive effort, Baptiste's 17th multi-point effort of the year and sixth time that he has recorded three or more points, gives the speedy forward 51 points through 40 games. The Wolves visit Oshawa on Sunday.



Eric Locke scored his 13th goal of the year as Saginaw blanked London 2-0. The marker gives Locke points in six consecutive games, and six of seven outings since returning from a six-week shoulder injury. Justin Kea recorded an elbowing minor for the winners, while Knights defenders Nikita Zadorov (even) and Brady Austin (-1) were kept off the score sheet. London tangles with Sault Ste. Marie on Sunday, while the Spirit is off until Friday's rematch with the Knights.

In the USHL, Cal Petersen (#3 star) stopped 20 of 21 shots to earn his eighth-straight victory as Waterloo defeated Des Moines 3-1. The Notre Dame commit improves to 19-2-1 this season with a 2.43 GAA (5th in league) and .918 save% (5th). The Black Hawks are back in action Friday at Youngstown.

Connor Hurley extended his point streak to four games with an assist as Green Bay dropped a 5-2 decision at Dubuque. The skilled centerman has points in five of six games since being traded from Muskegon over the holiday break. Hurley and the Gamblers head to Cedar Rapids on Friday.

Judd Peterson logged a minus-three rating as Cedar Rapids lost at Omaha 5-3. The second-year man has gone a season-high four games without a point.

In NCAA action, Jake McCabe (+1) and Brad Navin were unable to record points as No. 14 Wisconsin swept No. 9 Michigan with a 3-1 win. Michigan forward J.T. Compher (-3, 5 SOG) appeared to score in the final minute with the extra attacker, but teammate Andrew Copp (WPG) was in the crease and the goal was waved off. The Badgers continue the B1G homestand next weekend versus Ohio State. Michigan gets a week off before playing a home-and-home series with Michigan State.

Sean Malone finished minus-one as Harvard was downed by Yale 5-1.The Crimson host Cornell on Friday.

In the AHL, Nathan Lieuwen (#1 star) stopped 34 shots and Johan Larsson scored the game winning goal as Rochester defeated Hamilton 3-1. Luke Adam scored his 15th of the season into an empty net. Chad Ruhwedel, Kevin Sunder, and Nick Crawford picked up helpers, while recent acquisitions Brandon MacLean (first goal with Amerks) and Brayden Irwin (2A) also made contributions. The Amerks remain on the road Wednesday when they visit Texas.



In the ECHL, Connor Knapp made 29 saves to earn the game's number one star as Greenville doubled Evansville 4-2. Knapp (7-7-2-0) currently ranks third in the ECHL with a .933 save%. The Road Warriors and Icemen complete the three-game set on Sunday.

Shawn Szydlowski registered three shots on goal and Andrey Makarov (upper body) remained out of action as Fort Wayne won at Kalamazoo 2-1. The two clubs return to Fort Wayne for a Sunday rematch.