We've got a little mid-week catch-up for you to chew on as the Sabres get ready to close their first west coast road trip of the season...
Devante Stephens notched his first goal of the season Wednesday, jumping into the play and taking a defender around the edge for the lamplighter as Kelowna edged Everett 4-3. The first-period marker was the seventh of his career and first since November 20, 2015 for the stay-at-home defenseman.
In honor of Stephens' rare goal, here's a little bonus.
Some of you who follow on Twitter may recall this tweet from two weeks ago:
Had a feeling Devante Stephens was going to scrap soon. Sure enough, executed huge hit in first period of tonight's game and gloves came off
In Sweden, Rasmus Asplund skated for a career-best 21:56 as Farjestad BK got past Djurgarden IF 3-2 in a shootout. Asplund has two goals, five points and an even rating through his first nine appearances this season while averaging 16:50 of work per night. His development is properly being served as he is getting quality time in all situations.
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On Tuesday, Giorgio Estephan scored his third goal of the year as Lethbridge was shellacked by Regina 6-1. The blocker-side snipe gives Estephan nine points (3+6) through his first eight games. Four of his six helpers have come with the man advantage.
Also from Tuesday, Victor Olofsson recorded one assist as Frolunda HC doubled Orebro HK 4-2. Olofsson has three points (2+1) in his first 10 games with FHC. A season ago, Olofsson produced three goals and eight points in his first 10 games with MODO on his way to finishing as the team's leading scorer.
Brett Murray exploded for a five-point Saturday, scoring two goals and adding three assists as Youngstown cruised past Muskegon 7-4. The offensive eruption elevates Murray to 11 points (3+8) through his first seven contests. He has points in five of seven games since joining the Phantoms en route to compiling a plus-eight rating.
Elsewhere in USHL action, Philip Nyberg (-2) contributed two shots on goal as Madison was blanked 4-0 by Chicago. The Wisconsin commit has one goal and eight shots in the first six games of his USHL tune-up.
In AHL action, Justin Bailey scored his first goal of the year with nice third-period wrist shot, and Linus Ullmark stopped 40 of 44 shots as Rochester was defeated by Syracuse 4-1. Taylor Fedun drew the lone assist on Bailey's marker for his first point as an Amerk.
In the collegiate ranks, Judd Peterson scored his first goal of the year and Will Borgen supplied one assist as St. Cloud State was swept by Minnesota State thanks to a 6-4 defeat. The Huskies will look to right the ship next weekend when they meet Minnesota for a home-and-home non-conference set.
Cal Petersen made his 54th consecutive start in the Notre Dame crease, making 27 saves as the Fighting Irish earned the weekend split with a 3-1 win over Minnesota-Duluth. Connor Hurley netted one assist to extend his season-opening point streak to four games. The Irish return to home ice next weekend when they take on Penn State.
Anthony Florentino led all defensemen with three shots on goal as Providence was upset by Holy Cross 2-1 in overtime. The Friars host North Country opponents Clarkson and St. Lawrence next weekend.
In the OHL, Cliff Pu was shut out as London was smoked by Erie 7-1. Pu has four goals and 10 points through six games while winning 64 per cent of his faceoffs.
Austin Osmanski produced two shots on goal as Mississauga came back to defeats Saginaw 3-2 in overtime. Top draft prospect Owen Tippett scored two goals for the third straight contest to propel the comeback.
Vasily Glotov recorded one assist as Cape Breton was doubled by Charlottetown 4-2. Through seven contests, Glotov has one collected goal and five total points.
Giorgio Estephan (-3) saw his five-game point streak snapped as Lethbridge was hammered by Regina 7-2. Estephan, who averaged 1.25 points per game a season ago, is scoring at the same clip early with 1.33 points-per-game through his first six contests.
Devante Stephens logged a plus-one rating as Kelowna lost to Swift Current 5-1. Stephens entered the season as a cumulative plus-29 in his first two WHL seasons (136 games). He is currently a minus-two through the first eight tilts of the 2016-17 campaign.
Vojtech Budik (+1) and Brendan Guhle each had good nights in their own zone as Prince Albert lost to Brandon 4-3. Budik was angling for the second three-game point streak of his WHL career, but was unable to produce in defeat.
In Sweden, Victor Olofsson finished with a plus-one rating in a season-high 16:29 of work as Frolunda HC dropped a 3-2 decision to Linkoping HC.
Rasmus Asplund was unable to score in 14:33 of action as Farjestad BK earned a 3-1 victory over Lulea HF.
Jonas Johansson did not dress as Almtuna IS edged IF Bjorkloven 2-1.
Cliff Pu scored his fourth goal of the season Friday, taking a pass and going in alone for the quick forehand finish glove side as London defeated Windsor 4-0. Pu has scored in four of his first five games en route to collecting nine total points (4+5).
Elsewhere in the OHL, Austin Osmanski finished with a minus-one rating as Mississauga nearly erased a five-goal deficit in taking a 5-4 loss to Flint.
In the WHL, Giorgio Estephan netted one assist to extend his season-opening point streak to five games as Lethbridge fell to Vancouver 4-3 in overtime.
On Wednesday, Estephan collected two goals and an assist to help the Hurricanes to a 5-2 triumph over Victoria.
Brandon Hagel amassed three assists as Red Deer downed Swift Current 6-4. Hagel's helpers elevate him to six points (1+5) through his first seven games with the Rebels.
Brendan Guhle made his season debut, finishing with a plus-two rating as Prince Albert knocked off Brandon 3-2 in overtime. Vojtech Budik picked up an assist for the second-straight games in the victory.
Devante Stephens continue to play second-pair minutes, finishing with a plus-one rating in Kelowna's 4-2 loss to Saskatoon.
In Friday night USHL action, Brett Murray added an assist to his stat line as Youngstown defeated Muskegon 3-1. The Penn State commit has six points (1+5) through his first six games with the Phantoms.
Defenseman Philip Nyberg recorded two shots on goal as Madison lost to rival Green Bay 4-1.
In NCAA action, Judd Peterson notched one assist and Will Borgen logged a plus-one rating as St. Cloud State was upended by Minnesota State 4-1.
Connor Hurley supplied one assist and cal Petersen allowed four goals on 28 shots as Notre Dame lost to Minnesota-Duluth 4-3. Hurley now has six points (1+5) through three games. Petersen falls to 2-1 with with a 2.66 GAA and .897 save%.
Casey Fitzgerald (2 SOG) and Chris Brown (5 SOG) were unable to get in on the scoring as Boston College was defeated by Wisconsin 3-1.
In the AHL, Cole Schneider recorded two goals and two assists while Nick Baptiste supplied a goal and a n assist to earn his first NHL recall as Rochester hung on for a 5-4 victory over Hershey. Eric Cornel and Cal O'Reilly also scored for the Amerks, while Linus Ullmark made 25 saves to get the win. Alex Nylander assisted on the game's opening tally for his first career point as a pro.
On Thursday, Rasmus Asplund used his backhand to bury his second goal of the year to help Farjestad BK to a 5-0 win over Skellefteå AIK. Asplund has hit a higher level this season, piling up five points (2+3) in seven games.
Victor Olofsson used his speed and hands to score his second goal of the season in Frolunda HC's 2-1 in over Rogle BK.
Connor Hurley scored his first goal of the year just 1:02 into the action Saturday and added a pair of assists as Notre Dame completed the sweep of Arizona State with a 4-2 victory.
On his first shift of the night, Hurley entered the zone down the left side on a two-on-one and showed patience upon taking a pass with a nice five-hole marker to give the Irish the early lead.
Hurley, who had a two assists the night before, posted back-to-back multi-point efforts for the first time since October 2014 when he accomplished the task in a home set against Niagara.
Cal Petersen got the start for the Fighting Irish and played the whole way, stopping 23 of 25 shots to secure back-to-back wins to start the year.
At the Ice Breaker, Chris Brown recorded a pair of assists as Boston College defeated Denver 3-1. The even-strength helpers comprised Brown's third multi-point game since joining the Eagles' program. Sophomore defenseman Casey Fitzgerald was held out of the contest for precautionary reasons.
Ivan Chukarov picked up an assist as Massachusetts fell to Colorado College 7-4. The assist was Chukarov's first point of the season.
Anthony Florentino did not dress as Providence dropped a 2-1 decision to Miami.
Seam Malone was absent from Harvard's 5-2 exhibition win over Team USA.
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In Swedish Hockey League action, Rasmus Asplund drew an assist on the overtime winner to help Farjestad BK to a 2-1 triumph over Frolunda HC.
Asplund, who had already eclipsed his previous career-best time-on-ice during regulation to finish with 20:21 of work, was in the offensive zone when he gathered a loose puck near the right circle and got it back to the point to create the scoring play just 47 seconds into the extra session.
The helper gives the 18-year old four points (1+3) through his first six games of the season.
Frolunda winger Victor Olofsson recorded one shot on goal in the defeat. The 20-year-old shooter has one goal in seven contests with the Indians, and recently has been earning more shifts on the second power play unit.
In HockeyAllsvenskan, Jonas Johansson allowed a second-period point shot to get past him but stopped the other 25 sent his way as Almtuna IS cruised to a 4-1 victory over AIK. Johansson has been excellent in the season's early goings, compiling a 3-4 record, 1.59 GAA and .938 save% to go along with one shutout.
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Giorgio Estephan collected one assist and added a shootout marker as Lethbridge came up short in a 6-5 loss to Tri-City. The crafty pivot has points in each of his three games since returning to the Hurricanes.
Brandon Hagel added one assist to his stat line as Red Deer dominated Kelowna 5-0. Hagel earned his helper when he took a puck at the left point and slid a pass along the blue line to the waiting defenseman for a long-range tally. Devante Stephens recorded a minus-two rating in the loss.
Vojtech Budik earned one assist for his first point of the season in Prince Albert's 4-3 loss to Swift Current. The Raiders have lost three straight contests.
In the USHL, Brett Murray recorded one assist as Youngstown lost to Madison 3-2. The Penn State commit has five points (1+4) through his first five USHL appearances. Defenseman Philip Nyberg supplied one shot on goal in the Capitols' victory.
In Friday action, Cliff Pu scored his second goal of the year and added an assist as London got past Peterborough 6-3.
Pu scored the Knights' first goal of the game for the second-straight Friday, taking a pass and quickly burying a forehand to the far side with 5:42 remaining in opening frame to cut the Petes' lead to 2-1.
Pu would later collect a secondary helper on a power play tally as the Knights pulled away.
While Pu was posting his second multi-point game of the year, he was just as impressive at the faceoff circle with a dominating 18 wins on 22 draws.
Elsewhere in Ontario Hockey League action, Austin Osmanski scored a third-period goal as Mississauga came back to defeat Flint 3-2 in a shootout.
With his team trailing 2-0, Osmanski kicked off the late rally with under five minutes to play in regulation time when he accepted a return pass, went to the net and scored with a forehand.
With a developing confidence when skating the puck, Osmanski gets his first goal of the year in just his fourth game of the season. A year ago, Osmanski scored just two goals all season long, with both coming in his 16th game of the schedule.
NCAA
Connor Hurley notched a pair of first-period assists and Cal Petersen stopped 10 of 11 shots in two periods of work as No. 9 Notre Dame smoked Arizona State 9-2. For Hurley, the two-helper night was the ninth multiple point game on his collegiate resume. Earlier in the day, Petersen was one of 20 goalies named to the Mike Richter Award Watch List. The two clubs go at it again on Saturday.
Sophomore defenseman Casey Fitzgerald and fellow second-year man Chris Brown were each held without a point as No. 5 Boston College was stunned by Air Force 2-1 in the first round of the Ice Breaker tournament in Denver. The Eagles look to rebound on Saturday when they take on host No. 5 Denver in a game that many thought would decide the tourney title.
Ivan Chukarov submitted a team-high three shots on goal as Massachusetts blanked Colorado College 3-0. The Minutemen will go for their second consecutive season-opening sweep of the Tigers Saturday on home ice.
Anthony Florentino finished with one shot on goal and an even rating as No. 10 Providence edged Miami 4-3. The Friars will look to close out the home sweep on Saturday.
WHL
Giorgio Estephan connected for a pair of assists just 33 seconds apart in the opening frame as Lethbridge won at Spokane 5-3. Estephan now has three helpers through his first two games back in junior.
Devante Stephens notched his first point of the year, an assist, as Kelowna pitched a 1-0 road shutout at Edmonton. Late in the first period, Stephens laid a huge hit and was forced to defend it with his fourth career fighting major.
Brandon Hagel recorded a pair of minor penalties as Red Deer was doubled by Medicine Hat 6-3.
QMJHL
Rookie forward Vasily Glotov saw his four-game point streak snapped as Cape Breton closed out Charlottetown 5-3. Glotov has collected four points (1+3) while winning 40.5 percent of his faceoffs through his first five North American games.
USHL
Brett Murray contributed two shots on goal as Youngstown shut out Madison 2-0. Madison defenseman Philip Nyberg added two shots on goal of his own for the winners.
Brandon Hagel scored a short-handed goal and added an assist in the third period Wednesday to help Red Deer claim a 5-4 victory over Kamloops.
After the Rebels fell behind 3-0 after the opening period, the floodgates opened with the hosts scoring the next five goals. Hagel, who previously missed on two golden opportunities in the contest, finally connected for his marker at 5:36 of the final frame by getting behind the defense and finishing off a break at the side of the cage.
Four minutes later, Hagel provided an assist on the game-winner before the Blazers added a late goal to complete the scoring.
Elsewhere in the WHL, Giorgio Estephan picked up an assist in his first game back as Lethbridge was doubled by Kelowna 6-3. Devante Stephens finished with an even rating and a cross-checking minor for the winning side.
Vojtech Budik logged a minus-two rating as Prince Albert fell to Portland 5-3.
In the QMJHL, Vasily Glotov assisted on an empty-net goal with 42 seconds left in regulation as Cape Breton skated to a 5-3 win over visiting Rimouski. The helper gives Glotov points in each of his first four games with the Screaming Eagles.
Jonas Johansson stopped 29 of 33 shots as Almtuna IS dropped a 5-3 decision to Tingsryds AIF. The loss moves Johansson to 2-4 on the year with a 1.69 GAA and .933 save%.
Victor Olofsson scored his first goal of the year Sunday to help Frolunda HC to a 4-1 victory over Djurgarden IF.
The trigger man, who skated for a season-high 15:27 in the win, made it a 3-1 game with a backhand finish at the side of the net midway through the final period.
Olofsson's goal was his first point in five appearances with his new club.
In the OHL, Austin Osmanski finished plus-one with three shots on goal as Mississauga was defeated by North Bay 7-4.
Vojtech Budik logged a plus-two raring in Prince Albert's 5-2 win over Edmonton.
In NCAA exhibition action, Judd Peterson scored an even-strength marker from the left faceoff circle to earn the game’s third star, and second-year rearguard Will Borgen chipped in one assist as No. 7 St. Cloud State dominated Regina 6-2. The Huskies being conference play in two weeks against No. 19 Minnesota State.
Cal Petersen got the start for Notre Dame, stopping 20 of 21 shots as the No. 9 Fighting Irish earned a 5-1 triumph over Team USA Under-18. Notre Dame junior forward Connor Hurley did not dress for Notre Dame, who hosts Arizona State for a non-conference set beginning Friday.
Christopher Brown recorded one assist and defenseman Casey Fitzgerald supplied two shots on goal as No. 5 Boston College claimed a 4-2 win over Carleton. The Eagles next head to Denver for Friday’s Icebreaker Tournament opener versus Air Force.
Senior blueliner Anthony Florentino registered one assist as No. 10 Providence blanked Acadia 3-0. The Friars kick off the regular season schedule Friday at home versus Miami University.
Brett Murray swiped at a rebound of a deflected shot for his first-ever USHL goal Saturday and added one assist for his first multi-point game as Youngstown cruised past Team USA U17 7-1. Murray goes for points in three straight contests Friday versus Philip Nyberg and the Madison Capitols.
In the QMJHL, Vasily Glotov picked up one assist to extend his season-opening point streak to three games as Cape Breton was defeated by Halifax 6-4. Glotov will look to make it four in a row on Wednesday when the Screaming Eagles host Rimouski.
Elsewhere, Cliff Pu recorded four shots on goal and a roughing minor as London got past Barrie 3-1. The Knights are off until Friday when they host Peterborough.
Brandon Hagel was shut out for the second straight night as Red Deer was defeated by Brandon 5-2. Top 2017 draft prospect Nolan Patrick had a goal and two assists for the winning side. The Rebels complete their three-game weekend Sunday at Regina.
Devante Stephens (-1) again skated on the middle defensive pair in Kelowna's 3-0 loss to Prince George. Through three games with the Rockets, all losses to Prince George, the stay-at-home Stephens has no points and a minus-three rating.
In Sweden, Rasmus Asplund went without a point in 13:48 of work as Farjestad was upended by Karlskrona 5-2. Asplund has two points (1+1) and a minus-two rating through his first four league contests.
In the college ranks, Ivan Chukarov produced a pair of assists as Massachusetts kicked off the exhibition season with a 7-5 victory over CIS opponent Dalhousie.
Seven more of the Sabres collegiate prospects will get their exhibition seasons underway on Sunday with St. Cloud State, Notre Dame, Boston College and Providence and all hitting the ice.
In Friday action. Cliff Pu scored his first goal of the year and added an assist as London was defeated by Sault Ste. Marie 3-2 in a shootout.
At 7:10 of the opening frame, Pu capitalized on a turnover to give the Knights the 1-0 lead.
Elsewhere in the OHL, Austin Osmanski received a pair of penalties including a roughing/10-minute misconduct combo in the middle frame as Mississauga fell to Windsor 4-1.
In USHL action, Philip Nyberg scored his first goal of the season as Madison pitched a 4-0 shutout of Omaha. Nyberg circled high to the point for a five-on-three power play marker with 5:30 remaining in regulation to give the Capitols a 3-0 lead.
Brett Murray picked up his first point of the year, an assist, as Youngstown downed Team USA 6-1. The Penn State commit will look for his first goal of the campaign when the two teams play it back on Saturday.
In the QMJHL, Vasily Glotov collected one assist as Cape Breton was edged by Saint John 3-2. Glotov now has points in his first two regular season games on North American ice.
In the WHL, Brandon Hagel was unable to get on the scoresheet as Red Deer earned a 4-3 overtime victory at Moose Jaw.
Devante Stephens finished with a minus-one rating in Kelowna's 4-1 loss to Prince George.
Vojtech Budik did not factor as Prince Albert came up short in a 5-2 loss to Swift Current.
After earning his team's first five starts, Jonas Johansson received a day off as Almtuna IS dropped a 2-1 overtime decision to IK Oskarshamn.
