Thursday, January 8, 2015

1/7 Recap: Bailey early boon; Martin finds a home

Justin Bailey made his Sault Ste. Marie debut a successful one Wednesday, scoring a pair of goals and adding an assist as the Greyhounds held on for a 6-5 victory over Sudbury. Jean Dupuy notched a goal and an assist of his own, connecting with Bailey for both of his points including a beautiful third-period finish by the new arrival that proved to be the game-winner.



Bailey's second consecutive three-point effort elevates him to 24 goals and 44 points on the year. He has three points or more in seven of 36 contests.

Dupuy's marker gives him nine on the year to tie a career-high.

Earlier in the day, the Greyhounds added more firepower by acquiring Nick Ritchie (ANA) and former Sabres training camp invitee Connor Boland from Peterborough.

***

In the QMJHL, Vaclav Karabacek finished with a plus-one rating as Baie-Comeau earned a 4-1 home ice victory over Quebec. Karabacek has 11 goals and 25 points in 31 games,

Down on the farm, Dan Catenacci scored his fourth goal of the year as Rochester was defeated by San Antonio 3-1. Catenacci has six points this season, with half of them coming in his last five games. Andrey Makarov made 18 saves to take the loss, while Joel Armia remained out of action with a lower body injury. The Amerks host Lake Erie on Friday. 

***

It was quite a 24-hour period for Sabres defensive prospect Brycen Martin.

After playing in 181 career games with the Swift Current Broncos, the 96-born defenseman learned Tuesday evening that he had been traded to the Kamloops Blazers in exchange for 19-year-old rearguard Josh Connolly, brother of Tampa forward Brett, and a 2nd round WHL Bantam Draft pick in 2016.

On Wednesday, the deal was voided by the WHL.

Connolly immediately found a new home with a move to Prince George. It didn't take long for the Broncos to find another dance partner either, with Martin ultimately being moved to Saskatoon with a conditional 2017 fifth round pick for Jared Thomson and Red Deer's 2016 first round pick in 2015.

In the end, instead of swapping big minute players to the opposite conference, the Broncos and Blazers were forced to deal them to division rivals.

An all-situations puck mover at the Western League level, Martin collected two goals, 16 points and plus-one rating in 39 games this season for the Broncos. He's set to make his Saskatoon debut on Friday when the Blades visit Lethbridge.

***

In Sweden, Linus Ullmark is expected to sit the next couple of games for MODO while resting a groin injury. MODO played on Tuesday, dropping a 3-2 decision to Brynas IF. Gustav Possler logged a plus-one rating and three shots on goal in 16:50 of work. The last-place club could get Victor Olofsson back on Thursday when they battle the Vaxjo Lakers.