JT Compher connected for his second hat trick in as many weekends Saturday as Michigan was defeated by Penn State 4-3. The sophomore has picked up his game of late, snagging seven goals in his last four games to elevate him to 22 points (11+11) through 30 contests. He appeared to have added his fourth goal to tie the game in the final seconds, but the play was immediately waved off by the officials. The Wolverines close the Big Ten regular season next weekend with a home-and-home set with Michigan State.
In the OHL, Nick Baptiste scored a pair of goals including the game-winner to earn the game's first star as Erie downed Barrie 5-3 to clinch the Midwest Division title. Baptiste, who made a nice individual play to stickhandle into the slot for his first of the night and then took a Dylan Strome ('15) drop pass and slipped the puck under Mackenzie Blackwood ('15) for his second, has marked in seven of his last eight games. He has nine goals over that span to boost him to 29 on the year. Connor McDavid extended his point streak to 26-games with an empty-net goal.
WHL
Sam Reinhart saw his point streak come to an end at nine games as Kootenay lost at Medicine Hat 1-0. Reinhart has 58 points (17+41) in 41 games for the ICE, who sit in the top wildcard position for the Eastern Conference playoffs with six games remaining on the regular season schedule.
Brycen Martin notched one assist as Saskatoon was blown out by Moose Jaw 7-1. The helper gives Martin, who failed to get on the scoresheet in his previous six contests, a career-high 38 points with six dates remaining on the schedule. The last-place Blades have won just 19 of their 66 games.
QMJHL
Vaclav Karabacek produced one assist as Baie-Comeau was beaten for a second straight night in Val-d'Or 5-2. Karabacek has collected 14 points (5+9) in 25 games since being dealt to the Drakkar, who have already clinched a playoff spot with four games left to play.
NCAA
One night after a record-setting 87-save outing, Cal Petersen made 22 saves as Notre Dame secured a 5-3 victory over Massachusetts. The win improves Petersen to 11-14-3 on the year with a 2.34 GAA and .926 save%. Connor Hurley produced three shots on goal for the Irish. The teams will settle the best-of-three series on Sunday.
Sean Malone picked up one assist to extend his point streak to five games as Harvard ended Brown's season with a 4-3 victory. Brown forward Max Willman posted one shot on goal in defeat to finish his freshman campaign with one goal and three points in 30 games. The Crimson move on to face Yale next weekend in an ECAC Quarterfinal matchup.
Redshirt sophomore Jason Kasdorf was pulled after allowing four goals on 24 shots as RPI was blanked by Clarkson 5-0. Kasdorf will likely return to the crease on Sunday when the Engineers and Golden Knights play a deciding Game 3.
Hudson Fasching (2 SOG) and Christian Isackson were each held off the scoresheet as Minnesota was defeated by Ohio State 5-2. The Gophers finish the conference schedule next weekend with a home set against Penn State.
Brad Navin fired three shots on goal as Wisconsin was beaten 3-0 by Michigan State. The Badgers have now been blanked in four of their last five games heading into their final series of the year against Ohio State.
Judd Peterson did not play as St. Cloud State doubled Denver 4-2. The freshman winger has played in just two of the Huskies' last six games. St. Cloud State will open the NCHC tournament on Friday at the University of Nebraska Omaha for Game 1 of the best-of-three series.
