Thursday, March 13, 2014

3/12 Recap: Ullmark done; More for Grigo

Linus Ullmark made 45 saves Wednesday as MODO saw their season come to an end with a 5-4 overtime loss to Linkopings HC. MODO held a 4-0 lead midway through the second period before surrendering four unanswered goals, including a pair of power play markers 14 seconds apart in the third to send the game to extra time. Another MODO penalty would see Linkopings forward and former Michigan Wolverine Chad Kolarik strike with the man advantage in the 67th minute to close the curtain in game two of the best-of-three play-in round series.

Mikhail Grigorenko notched a goal off a wrist shot and added an assist for his fifth consecutive multiple-point game as Quebec was doubled by Victoriaville 6-3. Grigorenko has 37 points (15+22) in 21 games with the Remparts, including 14 in his last five. The Remparts, who saw a four-game winning streak snapped in the loss to the Tigres, remain in the sixth spot in the QMJHL standings with two games left on the regular season schedule.

The tilt between the Saginaw Spirit (Eric Locke, Justin Kea) and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds was postponed until Monday. The OHL will extend the regular season by one day to accommodate the Spirit, who are mourning the death of teammate Terry Trafford.

Justin Bailey missed his 12th game with an upper body injury as Kitchener was defeated by Guelph 7-3. The Rangers have two games remaining before heading home for summer.

Judd Peterson extended his absence to 10 games due to injury as Cedar Rapids dropped their fifth-straight decision 4-3 to Dubuque. Peterson hasn't played since Feb. 9. The Roughriders have won just four games without him.

In WHL action, Logan Nelson picked up two assists as Victoria lost to Vancouver 3-2. Nelson, who on Tuesday finished with a minus-one rating in the Royals' 3-2 road win over league front-runner Kelowna, has collected 53 points (22+31) in 57 games this season. The Royals are locked in as No. 3 seed for the Western Conference playoffs with two games left to play.