Nikita Zadorov (+1) and Brady Austin (+2) played sturdy defensively as London opened the playoffs with a 6-1 pasting of Windsor. Both Zadorov and Austin were active in taking the puck deep into the Spits zone throughout the game as the Knights dominated from start to finish. Game Two is Saturday in London.
In QMJHL action, William Carrier scored a third period goal as Drummondville was defeated by Victoriaville 4-3. Carrier, who earned the game's number three star, has four goals in nine career playoff tilts. Drummondville hosts the Tigres for Game Two on Saturday.
Mikhail Grigorenko posted an assist on the power play as Quebec dropped their playoff opener to Rouyn-Noranda 5-4 in overtime. Grigorenko had 14 points (5+9) in 11 postseason games a season ago. The Remparts and Huskies will resume the series Saturday at Colisee Pepsi.
Jake McCabe (-1, SOG) was unable to score in his return to the lineup as No. 6 Wisconsin edged Penn State 2-1 in the first Big Ten semifinal. McCabe, the missed the Badgers' regular season finale on Saturday after getting stitches behind his ear the night before thanks to a blocked shot gone bad. Brad Navin (2 SOG) skated checking line minutes for the Badgers, who move on to Saturday's Big Ten Championship game.
In the B1G nightcap, Hudson Fasching contributed three shots on goal as No. 1 Minnesota lost to Ohio State 3-1. Fasching has one point in his last six games as the Gophers prepare for the release of the NCAA Tournament brackets on Sunday. The Buckeyes and Badgers square off for the league title on Saturday.
Anthony Florentino logged a minus-one rating and one shot on goal as No. 9 Providence fell to New Hampshire 3-1 in the semifinal of the Hockey East Tournament at TD Garden in Boston. Despite the loss, the Friars remain in good standing with the No. 10 spot in the pairwise rankings, setting the stage for an NCAA tourney berth come Sunday.
In the USHL, Cal Petersen stopped 24 of 26 shots as Waterloo lost to Fargo 2-1. The Black Hawks held a 1-0 lead entering the third period of play, but the Force was able to strike twice at even strength to take the lead by the midway point of the frame. Petersen has just two wins in his last nine starts.
Connor Hurley registered five shots on goal as Green Bay saw their losing streak hit four games with a 2-1 loss to Tri-City. The 18-year old centerman hits the 50-game mark with 12 goals and 42 points.
Judd Peterson played his second game since Feb. 9 as Cedar Rapids was defeated by Omaha 3-2. Peterson, who returned to action Thursday in the Roughriders' 7-3 victory over Chicago, has 15 goals and 29 points in 42 games.
In the AHL, Connor Knapp made 34 saves as Rochester was smoked by Lake Erie 5-0. Phil Varone paced the banged-up Amerks with five shots on goal, while Johan Larsson chipped in with three of his own.
In the ECHL, Shawn Szydlowski scored for the second straight game and added an assist as Fort Wayne edged Gwinnett 2-1. The third-year pro has three goals in his last five games.
Colin Jacobs scored an even strength goal as Elmira dropped a 7-5 decision to Cincinnati. The marker is Jacobs' second in 11 coast league appearances.
