Showing posts with label 2012 world jrs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2012 world jrs. Show all posts

Monday, January 2, 2012

1/2 Recap: Armia scores as Finns advance

Joel Armia scored his fourth goal of the World Junior Championship Monday as Finland secured a spot in the semifinals with an 8-5 win over Slovakia. The Finns will battle rival Sweden on Tuesday with the winner facing one of Russia or Canada for gold.

Armia got the Finns on the board at 4:29 of the opening period when he circled behind the net and quickly threw a pass from the side that deflected off a Slovak defender past netminder Juraj Bindoch. Armia, who added a high sticking penalty and seven shots on goal to his game card, continued to show his stickhandling ability with some nice moves near the net while using his big frame to protect the puck along the wall. The 6'3 wing has amassed six points in the tourney to go along with 12 shots on goal and a +2 rating.



In the WHL, Nathan Lieuwen served as backup for the third time in the last four games as Kootenay suffered a 7-2 loss at Lethbridge. Lieuwen enters 2012 off a rough December that saw him go 2-5 with 3.56 goals against average and .876 save percentage.

On Sunday, Daniel Catenacci posted an assist as Owen Sound lost to Oshawa, 4-3. The 5'10 center enters Friday's game at Niagara as the Attack's second leading scorer with 20 goals and 44 points.

Mark Adams had a shot on goal as Providence lost the 26th annual Mayor's Cup to Brown, 5-2. The Friars resume their Hockey East schedule on Thursday when they host Massachusetts.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

12/31 Recap: Lepkowski pots 5th; World Juniors tighten

In Saturday action, Alex Lepkowski scored for the second straight game as Barrie downed Erie, 5-3. The 6'4 lefty gave the Colts a 2-1 lead early in the second period when his point shot deflected off an Otters defenseman and into the net. The West Seneca native ups his season line five goals and eight points in 23 games. Colts forward Gregg Sutch missed his second straight game with a head injury.

Steve Shipley recorded an assist as Niagara lost to Guelph, 4-1. The 6'3 center was on the ice for all five goals in the game en route to finishing with a -3 rating. Shipley ends 2011 with points in seven of his last eight (4+8).

In the WHL, Colin Jacobs was unable to produce much as Seattle came up empty in a 2-0 loss to Portland. The 6'2 center has gone four games without a point for the T-Birds, who closed 2011 by being outshot 38-18.

In the college ranks, Brad Navin finished -1 as Wisconsin defeated the USA U18 squad, 4-3. The Badgers will welcome RIT to Madison next weekend for a non-conference set.

Christian Isackson sent four shots on goal as #2 Minnesota dropped a 3-2 decision to Northeastern in the championship of the Mariucci Classic. The six-foot freshman is +1 with no points in seven games played. The Gophers will battle Notre Dame on Saturday.

Brad Eidsness did not play as North Dakota defeated Harvard, 7-3. On Saturday, North Dakota will play a "home" game in Winnipeg against Clarkson.

***

At the World Junior Championship, Joel Armia notched an assist as Finland completed pool play with a 4-0 win over the Czech Republic. Armia now has three goals and two assists through the four round-robin games. After the game, Armia told the Finnish press that he felt his line was the team's worst in the win (will credit with proper link). Giving himself fuel heading into the medal round can only be a good thing. Finland plays Slovakia in the quarterfinals on Monday.

Mark Pysyk was a team-best +2 as Canada held on to defeat the relegation-bound USA, 3-2. The stay-at-home Pysyk, who remains as one of two Team Canada skaters yet to record a point in the tourney, ends pool play with a cumulative +6 rating (3rd highest on team, 2nd among D). Canada will face the winner of the Czech Republic/Russia on Tuesday.

Saturday, December 31, 2011

12/30 Recap: Armia scores; forwards produce

In Friday World Junior Championship action, Joel Armia scored his third of the tournament as Finland racked up the goals in 10-1 blowout of Denmark. Armia worked along the boards to help the Finns to their first mark (clip #1) before later burying a backhand with the game getting out of hand. The 6'3 wing now has three goals in three tourney games. Finland completes pool play on Saturday versus the Czechs.



In the QMJHL, Cedrick Henley scored a pair of goals and an assist as Val-d'Or nearly completed a third period comeback in a 6-5 loss to Rouyn-Noranda. The power forward project now has eight goals and 21 points in 28 games. The three-point night was the second of his season and third of his QMJHL career.

Kevin Sundher scored a goal and two assists as Victoria was edged by Portland, 7-6. The six-footer, who is tied for 4th in WHL scoring with 60 points (22+38), has gathered 12 of those over his current nine-game point streak.



Dan Catenacci scored the lone Attack goal, his 20th of the year, as Owen Sound lost to Kitchener, 3-1. Catenacci, who marked to give the Attack a 1-0 lead at 12:54 of the opening frame, has five points (4+1) in four games against the Rangers this season.



Jerome Gauthier-Leduc notched an assist as Rimouski earned a 3-0 shutout of Quebec. The QMJHL's leading defensive point-getter and 10th leading scorer overall (20+32), Leduc closes December with five goals and seven assists in nine outings.

Steven Shipley (-1) saw his career-best six-game point streak come to an end in Niagara's 6-5 shootout win over Mississauga. The IceDogs coughed up leads of 4-0 and 5-2 before finally icing the win in the tiebreaker.

Colin Jacobs did not score as Seattle downed Moose Jaw, 2-0. Still finding his legs after a lengthy recovery from a shoulder injury, Jacobs has gone without a point in his last three games.

Nathan Lieuwen was given the night off as Kootenay lost in the shootout to Spokane, 3-2. The 6'5 netminder got off to a hot start in 2011-12 but is likely looking forward to flipping the calendar after going 2-5 with a 3.56 goals against average and .876 save percentage in the month of December.

In the college ranks, Drew MacKenzie notched an assist to up his point streak to four games as Vermont defeated Ferris State, 4-2. After getting held off the scoresheet in his first two games, the 6'2 lefty has collected points in 10 of his last 14 for the lowly Catamounts.

Christian Isackson (+1) recorded four shots on goal while centering Zach Budish and Nick Larson as Minnesota rolled over Niagara, 5-1. The Gophers, playing without world junior participants Nick Bjugstad and Kyle Rau, outshot the Purple Eagles by a 43-21 margin.

Justin Jokinen picked up an assist as Minnesota State skated to a 3-3 exhibition tie with the U.S. U18 squad. The 6'3 senior has scored two goals in 20 games this season for the Mavericks.

Brad Eidsness served as backup as North Dakota and Harvard played to a 4-4 tie. With Aaron Dell allowing four goals on 18 shots, perhaps Eidsness gets tabbed for Saturday's rematch after a solid showing before the break.

***

In Friday night AHL action, Rochester packed it in with over 9,700 fans but the Amerks came up short with a 5-4 loss to division rival Hamilton. The Amerks got goals form Mark Voakes, Phil Varone, Derek Whitmore, and Paul Szczechura before Bulldogs forward Mitch Wahl broke a 4-4 tie on the power play at 7:44 of the third period.

The Rundown:
Brennan: A, +1, 7 SOG
Foligno: A, 4 SOG
Schiestel: A
Lagace: 1 SOG
Biega: 4 SOG
Persson: -1
Szydlowski: -1
Crawford: 1 SOG

Friday, December 30, 2011

12/29 Recap: Defenders score; Pysyk steady

Alex Lepkowski scored his fourth goal of the year Thursday as Barrie earned a 4-3 shootout win over Brampton. The 6'4 defender has seven points in 22 games this season. Entering the year, he had seven points in 92 career OHL tilts. Colts forward Gregg Sutch did not play after being scratched with a head injury.

Nathan Lieuwen made 21 saves as Kootenay stumbled to a 4-2 loss at Red Deer. Despite winning just two of his last eight starts, the 6'5 netminder remains among WHL leaders with a 2.18 goals against average (2nd) and .923 save percentage (3rd).

At the Catamount Cup, Drew MacKenzie scored late on the power play as host Vermont continued their disappointing year with a 5-3 loss to Lake Superior State. The senior defenseman has five goals through his first 15 games. Last year, MacKenzie scored five times in 34 contests.



At the 2012 World Junior Championship, Mark Pysyk (+1, 1 SOG) was unable to get in on the scoring as Canada blew past Denmark, 10-2. Through three tourney games, Pysyk is +4 with three shots on goal while being one of two Canadian skaters who has yet to record a point in the tourney (Jamie Oleksiak the other).

Thursday, December 29, 2011

12/28 Recap: Leduc gets 20th; Lagace leads Amerks

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc scored his 20th goal of the year Wednesday as Rimouski lost to Chicoutimi, 6-4. Leduc's 20 goals tie his previous career best set in 2009-10, while his 51 points in 35 games continues to lead all QMJHL rearguards. Rimouski will welcome Quebec to town on Friday.

Gregg Sutch cashed a power play one-timer just 1:28 in but Barrie could not hold on in a 4-2 loss to Sudbury. Sutch now has seven goals and 15 points in 34 games. Barrie defenseman Alex Lepkowski finished the night at -2. The Colts, playing without forwards Mark Scheifele and Tanner Pearson who are away with Team Canada, will host Brampton on Thursday.

Cedrick Henley tested out his recently healed thumb by logging his third fighting major of the year in Val-d'Or's 5-3 loss to Gatineau. Henley, who also earned an instigator and misconduct on the play, will look for his first point since November 18th on Friday when the Foreurs host Rouyn-Noranda.



Steven Shipley picked up a power play assist in his old barn as Niagara edged Owen Sound, 2-1. The helper gives the 6'3 forward a new career high with points in six straight games. Shipley scored 39 goals and 102 points with the Attack from 2008-2010. Dan Catenacci assisted on the lone Attack tally to give him 41 points on the year. The IceDogs move on to face Mississauga on Friday. The Attack will travel to Kitchener.





Kevin Sundher notched two assists to extend his season-high point streak to eight games as Victoria was doubled by Portland, 6-3. Sundher, who has 19 multi-point efforts this season, has amassed 21 goals and 57 points in 36 games. The Royals will look to avenge the loss when the clubs play it back on Friday.





Colin Jacobs was -1 with a shootout miss as Seattle lost to Everett, 4-3. Jacobs now has two goals, an assist, and a -4 rating in seven games since returning from shoulder surgery. Seattle will host Moose Jaw on Friday.

***

At the World Junior Championship, Mark Pysyk was +1 as Canada pitched a 5-0 shutout over the Czech Republic. The steady defender saw time with Nathan Beaulieu and Jamie Oleksiak on the Nats bottom pair. Canada will to keep their winning streak in tact on Friday against Denmark.

***

In AHL play, the Amerks rode a two-goal night from Jacob Lagace to their second straight win over the Barons, 4-3 in a shootout. Lagace added a mark in the shootout, while Jonathan Parker and T.J. Brennan (winner) also scored in the deciding frame to ice the victory.

Brennan also scored in regulation to give him six goals on the year and a six-game point streak heading into Friday's tilt with Hamilton.

Marcus Foligno and Phil Varone each contributed a pair of assists for the Amerks (15-12-4-1).





The Rundown:
Lagace: 2G, SHO G, 5 SOG, +3
Brennan: G, SHO GWG, 5 SOG
Foligno: 2A, +3
Parker: SHO G
Schiestel: A, +2
Biega: A, -1, 2 SOG
Crawford: even
Boychuk: 4 PIM
Szydlowski: -1
Persson: +2

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Armia shines as Finns win

Joel Armia scored two goals including the game winner Wednesday and added an assist as Finland shook off a loss in their World Junior Championship opener with a 4-1 victory over Team USA. The win was the Finns first over the Americans in six years at the U20 tourney.

Armia (#10) was excellent in keying the Finnish offense. After a scoreless first, the 6'3 wing absorbed a hit to advance the puck deep, went to the front of the net, and won a battle below the goal line against two USA defenders to assist on Finland's first goal just 81 seconds into the middle frame.

After USA tied the game in the early third, Armia would show deadly transition skills by accepting a pass and gaining enough separation to break in and score the game winner while using his left knee to thwart off the backcheck.

The big wing capped his performance with an insurance marker at 16:27 by jamming a loose puck underneath John Gibson and into the American net. Armia started the play with a nice effort on the boards to free up the puck before drifting to the net and tapping in the area pass. 



Armia, who now has two goals, an assist, two shots on goal, and a +3 rating through the first two tourney games, will look to continue his offensive stacking on Friday when the Finns take on Denmark.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

First rounders quiet as Canada rolls Finland

Mark Pysyk finished +2 with two shots on goal Monday as Canada opened the 2012 World Junior Championship with an 8-1 pounding of Finland. The Sabres other prospect playing in the tournament, 2011 first-rounder Joel Armia, logged a disappointing -3 for the Finns.

Pysyk, who was paired with Jamie Oleksiak on Canada's third pair, found himself in an awkward position between the shooter and his own net when Alexander Ruuttu (son of former Sabres forward Christian) scored at 1:21 of the second to halve Canada's lead to 2-1. Aside from that, the 2010 first-rounder was steady in his own zone and made good decisions to support the play up ice.

Armia, who finished without a shot on net, showed flashes of the skill that make him the Sabres' most intriguing offensive prospect but for the most part was ineffective getting things going on Finland's #2 offensive unit. It was good to see him coming back hard late in the game (he prevented Canada from getting a ninth goal with a nice backcheck on Boone Jenner with five minutes to play), but there's no doubt that Sabres scouts want to see him competing harder for loose pucks at even strength as the tourney progresses.



Canada will next square off with the Czechs on Wednesday. Things won't get any easier for the Finns, who will look for their first tournament win by taking on a USA squad that scored 11 goals in their opening night win over Denmark.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Pysyk quiet in Canada loss

Mark Pysyk did not factor into the scoring Friday as Canada closed out the 2012 World Junior pre-competition schedule with a 5-3 loss to Sweden. With a 2-1 mark in the exhibitions, Canada will now retreat and look to fix their team defense in support of a blueline featuring seven tournament rookies (including Pysyk).

After Blues prospect Jaden Schwartz put Canada ahead 1-0 with eight minutes left in the first, Sweden stormed back to get three goals in the final three minutes of the period to take the lead into the intermission.

The Swedes would add another tally at 2:58 of the second before Ottawa prospect Mika Zibanejad capped the scoring in the game's final minute with his second of the night into an empty net.

It's still unclear as to the role Pysyk will play for Team Canada, but his smarts and feet should be an asset when the pucks start flying on the 26th.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Pysyk looking to establish himself on Canadian blue

Mark Pysyk was unable to crack the scoresheet Thursday as Canada continued their World Junior Championship pre-competition schedule with a 7-1 trouncing of Switzerland.

The 6'2 Pysyk, who absorbed an early jolt that nearly sent him into the Swiss bench, missed his check off a rebound on the lone Swiss goal in the first period, and seemed to see his minutes decrease as the game progressed. Granted Canada likely planned to get all seven dressed defenders some action, but many are wondering if the 2010 first-rounder will find himself in a battle for playing time when round robin play begins on the 26th.

Pysyk will look to affirm his top-six stature on Friday when Canada completes their exhibition run versus Sweden.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Armia finds net as Finns tune up

Joel Armia scored a goal Wednesday as Finland completed their World Junior Championship pre-work with a 3-0 win over Slovakia. The 6'3 wing scored the game's final goal when he accepted a pass from Miikka Salomaki and flipped it over the Slovakina netminder. Finland opens the 2012 World Junior Championship on the 26th versus Canada.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Pysyk to play for Canada

Congratulations to Sabres 2010 first-rounder Mark Pysyk for being being chosen to represent Canada at the 2012 World Junior Championship. The 19-year old Edmonton native joins Tyler Myers, Tyler Ennis, Luke Adam, Zack Kassian, and Marcus Foligno as recent Sabres prospects to skate for Canada's National Junior team at the prestigious under-20 event.

Pysyk (6'2, 188 pounds) has served as captain of the WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings for the past two years. In 25 games this season, the right-hander has scored two goals and 18 points while gathering 47 penalty minutes and a +6 rating.

Missing the chance to skate in his future home arena as a final cut for the 2011 tourney in Buffalo, the steady leader now gets an opportunity to sport the maple leaf sweater in his hometown, in the very rink he's called home for the past four years - Rexall Place - home of the Oil Kings and NHL's Oilers.

Canada will make their tournament debut the day after Christmas when they take on Team Finland, which will feature Sabres 2011 first round pick Joel Armia as a top-six weapon.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Leduc lopped; Pysyk's prospects improve

Mark Pysyk and Jerome Gauthier-Leduc arrived in Calgary Saturday along with 39 others for the start of Hockey Canada's 2012 World Junior Selection Camp and the final leg in achieving a dream of every kid who ever laces them up in the Great White North.

After two scrimmages and a round of cuts, one Sabres prospect remains.

A favorite to crack Canada's top-six entering camp, Edmonton Oil Kings captain Mark Pysyk has continued his steady play through the Red/White tilts, maintaining good gaps and showing his smarts in all three zones while paired with Joe Morrow (game #1) and Nathan Beaulieu (game #2).

Pysyk generally limits his mistakes, making him the perfect type of rearguard for tournament play, but he did commit a turnover early that resulted in a power play opportunity for Team Red early in Sunday's contest. He did not earn a point in either game, but was on the ice for one goal against (right D #5 below - excuse poor quality).



As a whole it appears that the benching he received last week against Calgary (for play demmed "selfish" by EDM bench boss Derek Laxdal) has paid some dividends. Pysyk's feet and aptitude have stood out as they do on most nights. He simply looks bigger, stronger, and more ready than he was a season ago, likely solidifying his spot on the team as a solid minute-eater.

Unlike Pysyk who has a more complete two-way package, fellow White blueliner Leduc was brought to camp for one reason - offense. Leduc (#3), a mobile righty who leads all Canadian major-junior defensemen with 47 points, used his cannon shot to get an assist on the game winning goal in White's 3-2 opening night win on Sunday.



Leduc would again show his shot in White's 2-0 loss in game #2, firing a hard slapper off the pipe near the end of the game that resulted in him defending a 2x1 going back the other way (taking the pass away, leaving the goalie to take the shooter).



However when the calls were made Tuesday morning as Canada cut their roster down, Leduc was among the first to get sent home.

Given the depth of competition, the move was not surprising. Canada has some well-rounded options who can carry the full-time luggage, and it was going to be a hard sell putting Leduc in the top six.

Scanning the pool of candidates in the weeks leading up to camp, Leduc seemed more like an ideal #7 than a top-six guy; an ace offensive catalyst who can breathe life into a power play but likely not sturdy enough defensively for a leading role. Through two games he did little to separate himself from the pack.
Leduc's offensive package comes with some uneven play in his own zone that can make for some adventurous shifts. He can get in trouble against physical forwards, and can sometimes get ambitious with the puck as evidenced by an egregious turnover in game #2 that resulted in his defensive partner going to the box for tripping.

A season ago, the Sabres had four players at Canada's camp - Zack Kassian, Marcus Foligno, Pysyk, and Brayden McNabb. Kassian and Foligno made the squad while Pysyk made it to final cuts. McNabb was among the first to get the axe, and proceeded to go on a tear with points in seven straight games as Kootenay started its run to the Memorial Cup.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Armia swaggers up for World Junior stage

Joel Armia scored the game winning goal Saturday and added an assist as Assat downed the Blues, 5-3. After the pressure of heightened expectations caused a slow start to the year, the flashy 6'3 wing is heating up with six goals and five assists in his last dozen games on the eve of the 2012 World Junior Championship.

Armia earned his first point, an assist, by tipping a shot near the paint that was immediately fired into the net by Tuomas Santavuori to gives the Aces a 3-1 lead at 5:59 of the second period.



Nearly five minutes later, Armia would pot the game winner on a power play by pouncing on a rebound in the slot for his eighth goal of the year.



The multi-point effort, his second of the season and second in his last five outings, gives the 2011 first-rounder 18 points through his first 31 games.

With Assat now breaking for the holidays, the 18-year old sniper will join Team Finalnd in preparation for the upcoming World Junior Championship. Armia will be set up to succeed at the tourney, as his soft hands and sniping ability will be surrounded by a talented flock of Finnish forwards that includes Mikael and Markus Granlund, Teemu Pulkkinen, and Joonas Donskoi. The loaded top-six could propel the Finns to a medal, making for some compelling round-robin matchups.

Armia showed promise at last year's World Juniors (one assist) before later blossoming last spring with four goals and 13 points at the U18s in Germany. There's no question he'll be counted on in the tourney to leverage his size and hands to collect goals down low. The Fins will play a couple of pre-competition games in Alberta before opening the tournament on the 26th against Canada.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Pysyk, Gauthier-Leduc selected for U20 Camp

Sabres prospects Mark Pysyk and Jerome Gauthier-Leduc were among 46 players tabbed Thursday for participation in Hockey Canada's U20 Summer Development Camp. The camp marks Canada's starting point for building their entry for the 2010 World Junior Championship. The complete roster can be found here

Pysyk, the captain of the WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings, was the Sabres first pick (23rd overall) of the 2011 draft. Amidst a solid 2010-11 season that saw him prove his two way value, the steady defender made it to the final cuts for the Canadian squad that won silver on HSBC Arena ice. A healthy start this fall could see Pysyk Edmonton native near the head of the pack heading into December's Selection Camp.

Gauthier-Leduc will attend the camp for the second straight season after an excellent end to his 2010-11 campaign. The offensive-minded rearguard finished 2nd in scoring for all QMJHL defenseman with 18 goals and 56 points. The 6'2 righty popped in 20 goals the year before, making him a legitimate offensive threat for Canada coach Don Hay to consider when looking to reclaim gold.

One name that wasn't expected to appear on the list, Victoria's Kevin Sunder, could still use the omission as added fuel when his WHL season begins. With summer campers sometimes sticking with NHL clubs, the talented center could very well get a December look if he gets it going out of the gate. It's a competitive market for sure, but something to keep an eye as play heats up this fall.