1/4 Recap: Byron rolls a 7; Gogulla stays hot

On Sunday, Paul Byron (+5) scored four goals and added three helpers as Gatineau smoked Drummondville, 10-2. The speedster also racked up six blocked shots to earn the obvious #1 star of the game. Elsewhere in the Q, Luke Adam (+1) had both Juniors goals on a game-high eight shots on net as Montreal fell to Baie-Comeau, 3-2. Adam aslso added seven blocks en route to being route to earing first star honors. T.J. Brennan added three shots on goal for Montreal. Jordon Southorn had two assists and six hits as PEI blanked Halifax, 4-0. J.S. Allard had an assist as Quebec blanked Chicoutimi, 7-0. Jacob Lagacé had five shots on goal and three hits for the Sags in defeat. In DEL play, Philip Gogulla (+2) had a goal and two assists as Cologne lost to Krefeld, 4-3. The German now has four goals and four assists in his last four games. Nick Crawford (-1) had an assist in Saginaw's 4-3 loss to Guelph.

12/28 Recap: Allard repeats; Southorn climbing

For the second straight night, J.S. Allard set-up Mikhail Stefanovich for a game winning goal in the third period as Quebec downed Chicouitimi, 3-2. Jacob Lagacé had two shots on goal for the Sags in defeat, ending his four-game point streak. Jordon Southorn (-1) picked up another assist as PEI lost to Cape Breton, 4-2. The 6'2 defender now has points in three straight games, and his total of 29 ranks him ninth in Q defensive scoring. Luke Adam had an assist, four blocks, and won seven of 11 draws, while T.J. Brennan was +1 in Montreal's 4-1 win over Victoriaville. Adam has 15 goals and 16 assists in 31 games, and was a strong second half player last season in St. John's. In the OHL, Nick Crawford was +2 as Saginaw clobbered Sault Ste. Marie, 8-3. The Sabres sixth rounder in 2008 has two goals and 21 points this season for the Spirit. In the Great Lakes Invitational final, Corey Tropp finished -2 as Michigan State ran out of gas against Michigan, 5-1. In the consolation game, Brad Eidsness made 18 saves as North Dakota lost to Michigan Tech, 2-1. It's not easy to hang anything on goaltending when there is a lack of goal support in front of him. Corey Fienhage was again a scratch for the Sioux. Playing for third place at the Badger Showdown, Alex Biega was -2 as Harvard fell to Alabama-Huntsville, 4-1. Philip Gogulla (-1) had a primary assist in Cologne's 4-3 loss to Straubing. Gogulla found a wide open Alexej Dmitriev in front of the net for a first period goal to give the Sharks an early 2-0 lead. Dennis Persson again suited up but did not see any ice in Timra's 1-1 tie with Linkoping.

12/27 Recap: Tropp sets up win; Biega dazzles in defeat

At the Badger Showdown in Madison, Alex Biega factored in on both Crimson marks with a goal and an assist as Harvard lost to Lake Superior State, 6-2. Biega took a loose puck from his blue all the way home for an impressive first period goal, his second of the year, then later earned a helper after his point shot rebound was cashed in by Daniel Moriarty. Harvard will square off with Alabama-Huntsville for third-place. At the Great Lakes Invitational in Detroit, Corey Tropp had two assists as Michigan State played their best game of the season, ending their 11-game winless streak with a 2-1 win over North Dakota. Brad Eidsness took the loss for the Sioux, making 28 saves. Tropp made a nice play with the puck on the second Spartans goal, drawing Eidsness out of range before sliding it to Matt Schepke for his second goal of the game. Freshman rearguard Corey Fienhage did not dress for North Dakota. The MSU win sets up a title clash with rival Michigan, while the Sioux will face Michigan Tech in the consolation game. In QMJHL action, Paul Byron (+1) had an assist in Gatineau's 4-2 win over Rouyn-Noranda. The helper extends his current streak to 19 games with a point, the longest active run in the league. Jacob Lagacé had three assists as Chicoutimi smoked Rimouski, 8-2. The output puts the 5'11 forward back on a point-per-game pace with a total of 32 on the season. J.S. Allard (+1) set-up the game winning goal with :19 to play as Quebec defeated Baie-Comeau, 3-2. Allard is the Remparts 7th leading scorer with 25 points, and is still looking for his first goal since November 23rd. In an Atlantic Division match-up, Jordon Southorn (+2) had a power play assist as PEI defeated second place Cape Breton, 7-4. Joel Champagne had a goal and three assists for the Rocket in his first game after being traded from Chicoutimi earlier in the week. The win snaps PEI's five-game losing streak. Luke Adam finished -2 and was overmatched at the dot (6-10) as Montreal fell to Shawinigan, 5-1. The subject of Q trade whispers, defenseman T.J. Brennan was even for the Juniors as the Cataractes win the first game in their new barn. In the OHL, Nick Crawford (-2) returned from a shoulder ding, posting an assist in Saginaw's 4-3 loss to Plymouth. The Spirit (20-12-0-2) have now lost three straight. On Friday, Philip Gogulla was -1 in Cologne's 3-2 overtime loss to Iserlohn. Dennis Persson did not get a shift in Timra's 3-1 loss to Skelleftea on Friday.

12/19 Recap: Byron stays hot; Butler solid in debut

Chris Butler scored his first NHL point and was +2 as Buffalo shutout Los Angeles, 5-0. The DU product logged 12:16 of time in first appearance in the bigs, playing solid on the man, and making conservative plays with the puck. Lindy Ruff managed the rookie well, keeping shifts short while allowing him to ease his way into the speed and level of things. The assist came when his low wrister from the point escaped through Jason LaBarbara's legs, and was punched home by Adam Mair to make it 2-0. Prior to the game, "Buts" tasted a few mics in the Sabres locker room. In a WJC tune-up in Toronto, Tyler Ennis skated on the top line with John Tavares and Dana Tyrell in Canada's 4-2 win over Sweden. The unit generated chances throughout, with Ennis leaving room to develop more chemistry with his new mates. Tyrell injured his leg after an attempted hit on Viktor Hedman, so we'll have to wait and see what this does to the Canadian lines moving forward. Tyler Myers had a solid outing while paired with 6'6 Keith Aulie on the towering shutdown combo. In the QMJHL, Paul Byron (+3) had a four assist night as Gatineau defeated Montreal, 5-3. With the effort, the blazing Ottawa native owns the longest current point streak in the QMJHL with 10 goals and 25 assists over his past 18 games. He is now ranked 8th in QMJHL scoring after a slow start that saw him compile three goals and ten assists in his first 14 games. Luke Adam scored his 15th of the year for the Juniors, while T.J. Brennan had a pair of assists. Jordon Southorn scored a goal and two assists as PEI was handled by Drummondville, 11-7. The Rocket, who at one point had a 4-0 lead in the first period, dropped their fifth game in a row, while the Volts forged their 17th straight victory. J.S. Allard was +1 as Quebec whipped Rimouski, 7-1. The Remparts broke the game open in the second period with three goals in :18, while Allard has just one assist in his last seven games and hasn't scored a goal since his November 23rd game-winner. Chicoutimi's Jacob Lagacé (+2) scored an empty netter as the Sags ended their four-game skid with a 4-1 win over Baie-Comeau. The goal was the 15th of the year for Lagacé. Drew Schiestel posted an assist in Niagara's 4-3 loss to Sudbury. The Dogs fell victim to a Jared Staal goal in the final minute for their sixth consecutive loss. Nick Crawford (shoulder) did not dress for Saginaw in their 4-2 loss to Windsor. The tail end of the home-and-home featured six fights, including a goalie tilt at center ice. In exhibition play, Brad Eidsness made 10 saves in split duty as North Dakota defeated the U.S. NTDP U-18, 5-2. Eidsness played the first half of the contest, getting beaten on a nice play for the first goal against, while not being to squeeze a puck in his glove for the second U18 tally. Corey Fienhage dressed for the Sioux, finishing -1 with his requisite roughing minor. In the DEL, Philip Gogulla was -1 as Cologne lost a tight one to Augsburger, 1-0. Portland's AHL game with Worcester was canceled due to inclement weather in New England.

12/17-18 Recap: Adam excels; Southy making strides

Luke Adam earned top star honors with a goal and an assist as Montreal pulled away with two goals in the final 6:00 in their 4-2 win over Rimouski. Centering the top line with Angelo Esposito away with Team Canada, the 6'2, 203-pounder also blocked five shots and won eight of 11 draws while building his current three-game point streak (3+3). T.J. Brennan assisted on Adam's 14th to open scoring for his 18th point of the season. Jordon Southorn (-1, 4 PIM) fired three more shots and another hit to raise his Top-10 Q totals as PEI was shutout by Victoriaville, 2-0. The recent spike at both ends also has him tied for 11th in Q defensemen scoring with 24 points. On Wednesday, J.S. Allard registered a game-best seven shots on goal, yet did not factor in on any goals as Quebec downed PEI, 2-0. Southorn (2PIM) had three shots on goal while adding two hits in the Rocket loss. Drew Schiestel was +1 for Niagara in their 3-2 loss to Belleville. The "plus" outing was his first such effort after ending as a minus in five of his last six games. In international exhibition play, Philip Gogulla played even as Germany lost to Switzerland, 2-1. The two clubs met as a precursor to Germany's participation in February's Olympic qualifier with Slovenia, Austria, and Japan.

12/13 Recap: Schiestel loving PP; Eidsness wins again

In a sold-out barn in St. Kitts, Drew Schiestel had a pair of assists as Niagara lost to Mississauga, 4-3. Both helpers came on the power play, upping Schiestel's total to 15 assists this season with the man advantage, good for fifth in the O. The Hamilton native continued to display his superior feet and ability to get the puck to the net, but with a -2 for the third straight game, has sunk to -18 on the season which ranks last in the league. John Cullen ('09, Hamburg, NY) got the call for the Dogs, having a solid first period before getting beaten four times in the final 40:00 including twice through the five-hole on a pair of short-handed breakaways. Cullen did not fare well one-on-one, and will need to be more crisp with his movement in the crease in order to improve his draft position. He sometimes goes down prematurely, rewarding a patient puck carrier. Mississauga forward Casey Cizikas ('09) showed excellent skating ability and nice set of hands with two goals and an assist, while Andrew Shaw ('09) of the Dogs put forth a spirited effort with a goal and assist. Add 15-20 pounds of beef to his 5'11 frame and you have yourself an intriguing 17-year-old. Also from the OHL, Nick Crawford was even as Saginaw posted a 3-2 home-ice win over Erie. In the NCAA, Brad Eidsness made 19 saves to win his fourth straight start, 7-4 over St. Cloud State. The weekend wins over the Huskies represent the first WCHA sweep of the season for the Sioux. Corey Fienhage was again a scratch as Ben Blood saw action as the #6. The Sioux are playing confidently in front of their freshman keeper, using a more open style en route to a 9-5-1 record after dropping their first three games. Matt Generous was even as a Jared Keller goal with less than :01 remaining pushed St. Lawrence to a 4-3 upset of #11 Vermont. The senior defenseman closes the semester with six points (3+3) and a +2 through 16 games. Freshman Drew MacKenzie was +1 for the Catamounts in the loss. Justin Jokinen was even in limited action as #14 Minnesota State was swept by #5 Denver, 5-2. The Pios won their seventh straight without the services of free-agent prospect Tyler Bozak, who was injured in Friday's win. The Mavericks lost their fourth in a row. In the QMJHL, J.S. Allard (+1) garnered an assist for Quebec in their 2-1 win over Acadie-Bathurst. The Alma, QC product picked up the primary on Kelsey Tessier's 10th of the season in the first period for his first point in three games, and 24th on the year. Dennis Persson was even over 16:09 of icetime as Timra got shutout by Farjestad, 3-0. The game was Persson's second in a row on the middle defensive unit while the rotating door into the Eagles infirmary stays active. Mikko Lehtonen returned to the Timra lineup, while Robin Jonsson and Par Styf remain sidelined.

12/10 Recap: Brennan solid in win; Ennis heads east

T.J. Brennan (+3) had two assists, including a set-up on the game winner, as Montreal defeated the Q's top-club, Shawinigan, by a 4-1 score. Luke Adam (2 PIM) failed to hit the sheet for the fourth straight game as the Juniors take tail end of the home-and-home. Cedric-Lalonde McNicoll scored the lone Cataractes goal, extending his current point-streak to an alarming 21 games. In snowy Charlottetown, Jordon Southorn had an assist and his usual two hits for PEI in their 5-2 win over Halifax. The 6'2 defenseman is even with five points in his last three games. Also from the Q, Jean-Simon Allard was +1 but failed to register for the fourth straight game as Quebec stomped on Chicoutimi, 7-1. The 6'3, 193-pounder has been hot and cold all season long after getting traded to the Remparts at the Q draft last offseason, and he'll need to be a more consistent presence moving forward. The Sags' Jacob Lagacé posted a -5 in the loss, a season low amongst all of the Sabres prospects. In Michigan, Nick Crawford was -1 as Saginaw lost at Plymouth, 3-2. The minus took place when Crawford got beat on a play by Chris Terry, who skated past the sixth-rounder and bested Edward Pasquale from 20-feet out for the Whalers second goal of the night, and his 14th of the season. And now, catch-up time. On Monday, Tyler Ennis (-1) had an assist as Medicine Hat fell to Lethbridge, 4-3. The game was the final tune-up for the left wing before skating in Team Canada's camp beginning Thursday. In the DEL, Philip Gogulla was -1 with three shots on goal as Cologne dropped a shootout to Iserlohn, 3-2. The winger did not make the Sharks shooter list. In Tuesday evening action, Jean-Simon Allard was quiet for his third straight game, finishing -1 as Quebec was shutout by Baie-Comeau, 4-0. Over in Sweden, Dennis Persson dressed but did not get a shift as Timra lost to SSK, 3-2.

12/5 Recap: Byron lends helping hand; Fighting Fienhage fetches first

Paul Byron continued to shake his disappointing omission from Team Canada's WJC camp by posting a five-assist night in Gatineau's 7-4 win over Val-d'Or. The explosion gives the Ottawa native points in fourteen straight games, propelling him into a tie for 11th overall in the Q with 38 points. Jordon Southorn had a pair of assists in PEI's 5-4 overtime loss to Victoriaville. The Rocket jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first minute of the second period, but surrendered five unanswered goals by the Tigres, capped with Philip-Michael Devos' winner in the first minute of OT. The talk of goal support being an issue for Brad Eidsness and the Fighting Sioux simmered some on Friday as NoDak marched into Harvard with a pummeling 10-1 victory. Eidsness made 39 saves, including a solid breakaway stop, to improve his record to 6-5-1. Freshman Corey Fienhage notched a power play assist for his first career point, and played policeman in the final 10:00 as Harvard took their frustrations out with some questionable hits. Fienhage, who earlier was called for a roughing penalty, earned another plus a game misconduct after a scuffle with 3:29 remaining that stemmed from Alex Biega (-3) boarding a Sioux forward. Matt Generous (+2) buried a bomb from the slot as St. Lawrence fell to Boston University, 4-1. The goal was the third of the year for the senior rearguard, who later received two-and-a-ten after a melee following the fourth Saints goal. In WHL play, Tyler Ennis scored a goal and an assist as Medicine Hat defeated Moose Jaw, 5-4. The goal was Ennis' 15th of the season, as the Edmonton native now has 35 points in 29 games. Tyler Myers was even with a tripping minor as Kelowna edged Regina, 3-2. Rounding out the evening's NCAA action, Justin Jokinen was on the ice for the first Mavericks goal, finishing +1 as Minnesota State lost to St. Cloud, 4-2. Andrew Orpik was -1 as Boston College played to a 1-1 tie with BU. In the CCHA, Corey Tropp (2 PIM, 1 SOG) finished -1 as Michigan State was throttled by Michigan, 6-1. In the OHL, Drew Schiestel saw his point shot tipped in for the game winner as Niagara defeated Sarnia, 2-1. His 24 assists on the season rank 7th in the OHL. Nick Crawford had an assist and was +2 as Saginaw defeated Kitchener, 4-3. 2009 eligible Jordan Szwarz had three assists for the Spirit. In other Q action, Jacob Lagacé posted an assist in Chicoutimi's 3-2 shootout win over Rouyn-Noranda. Lagacé was stopped as the second shooter in the deciding frame. J.S. Allard was -1 Quebec defeated Lewiston, 5-2. In an exhibition contest, Drew MacKenzie was even as Vermont downed the USA Under-18 squad, 6-4.

11/29 Recap: Quartet makes connections

In the WHL, Tyler Myers scored his fourth goal of the season on the power play in addition to an earlier assist as Kelowna defeated Chilliwack, 3-0. With 19 points (4+15) in 23 games this season, Myers has already equaled his entire 2007-08 output (6+13), and is currently riding a career-best six-game point streak. At the College Hockey Showcase, Corey Tropp had two assists as Michigan State surrendered a two-goal lead in their 4-4 tie with Minnesota. The tie snaps a seven-game losing streak for the Spartans while upping thier winless streak to nine. The sophomore made an all-out effort play to give the Spartans a 2-0 first period lead when he completed a pass to Dan Sturges after falling down just inside the Gopher blueline. Tropp later spotted an open Andrew Rowe from behind the net to put MSU ahead 4-2 at the 8:43 mark of the second period. The Gophers, who entered the weekend as the nation's #1 team, finish the Showcase with a loss and a tie. Their leading scorer, Ryan Stoa (COL), was bounced six minutes in after receiving a game misconduct for checking from behind. In the OHL, Drew Schiestel bagged a pair of assists as Niagara lost to Barrie, 4-3. The assists, both of which came as part of the Dogs' third period surge, raise his season total to 24 - good for 4th in the OHL. Nick Crawford (+3) posted a two-assist night of his own as Saginaw cruised to a 7-1 win over Sarnia. The points put Crawford on the first three-game point streak of his major junior career. Sarnia's Joe Rogalski (Lancaster, NY) was -2 with a roughing minor as part of a chippy third period. In the Q, T.J. Brennan (3 SOG) had a power play assist as Montreal lost in overtime to Rouyn-Noranda, 4-3. The New Jersey native now has five points in his last three games. Luke Adam, who moved to center a game ago, was -1 with a pair of minor penalties for the Juniors. J.S. Allard (-1) did not factor as Quebec defeated Saint John, 5-3. Medicine Hat LW Tyler Ennis was kept in check as the Tigers gave up a goal with just :12 remaining to get edged by Brandon, 3-2. In Hockey East, Drew MacKenzie skated even for Vermont in their 3-2 win over Maine. Summer camp invite Brayden Irwin (Jr.) opened scoring with his fifth of the season, and has been playing well at both ends of the ice of late on a line with Viktor Stahlberg (TOR) and Brian Roloff (West Seneca, NY). In NCAA non-conference play, Matt Generous (-1, 2 PIM) had his hands full throughout as St. Lawrence fell to Boston University, 4-1. Brad Eidsness made 28 saves as North Dakota dropped a 2-1 decision to visiting Cornell. Sioux freshman Corey Fienhage was scratched in favor of Ben Blood (OTT). 2008 fourth-rounder Justin Jokinen was inserted into the Maverick lineup, finishing even with a shot on goal as Mankato downed Bowling Green, 5-2.

11/28 Recap: Adam stars; Byron hangs ten

Luke Adam (+2) earned the game's #1 star with a goal and two assists, and T.J. Brennan (+1) added an empty-netter as Montreal downed Val-d'Or, 5-2. Adam, who was a machine with five blocked shots, notched his first goal in six Q games despite scoring in both of Team QMJHL's tilts with Russia in the ADT Challenge. In Shawinigan, Jacob Lagacé (-1) had a goal and a game-high six shots on goal in Chicoutimi's 5-2 loss to the Cataractes. The goal, his 11th of the season, was his first in five games as the quality road effort was rewarded with the game's #2 star. Paul Byron had an assist to extend his point streak to ten games, yet Gatineau fell to Victoriaville, 5-3. The loss ends the Piques run of four consecutive wins. Jean-Simon Allard assisted on the game-winning goal as Quebec defeated Baie-Comeau, 4-1. The Alma, QC native has three goals and four assists in his past four games for a total of 22 on the year. Also from the Q, Jordon Southorn (2 PIM) finished -1 in PEI's 4-1 loss to Rimouski. In OHL play, Nick Crawford scored for Saginaw in their 4-2 loss at Windsor. The goal, Crawford's second of the year, came :09 into a first period power play after he was checked from behind by the Spits Adam Wallace. St. Lawrence defenseman Matt Generous (+1) posted an assist in the Saints' 4-3 win over #17 Massachusetts. The senior now has five points (2+3) in his last seven games. Freshman Brad Eidsness made 21 saves in the North Dakota crease as the Sioux scored four third period goals to close out Cornell, 7-3. Eidsness has been in the net for all five NoDak victories this season. Corey Fienhage was in the lineup for North Dakota, earning a high sticking penalty while playing bottom pair minutes. At the College Hockey Showcase in Madison, Corey Tropp had two shots on goal as Michigan State lost to Wisconsin, 3-1. Spartan goalie Jeff Lerg made 50 saves in defeat. Justin Jokinen was scratched as Minnesota State played to a 2-2 tie with Bowling Green. Sophomore goaltender Nick Eno remains out of the Falcons lineup with an ankle injury.

Allard nets winner

In the final game of the week, Jean-Simon Allard (+3) scored the game winning goal and added two assists as Quebec downed Rimouski, 6-2. The three-point night was the second in his last three games, and gives the Alma, PQ native 21 points this season.

11/21 Recap: Brennan sinks three-pointer; Eidsness strong again

T.J. Brennan (+1) piled up three assists for Montreal in their 8-2 trouncing of Quebec. Luke Adam added an assist for the Juniors, while Angelo Esposito (ATL) and Nick Layton paced the winners with a hat trick each. J.S. Allard finished -1 for Quebec in the loss. Tyler Myers (+2) scored a goal in Kelowna's 7-3 beatdown on Prince George. The goal, his third of the season, came in the first period when he beat Cougars goaltender Kevin Armstrong with a low, hard shot to put Kelowna up 3-0. The 6'7 Myers also dropped the gloves for the fourth time this season, earning the major after a third period scrap with Brian Matte. In Lethbridge, Tyler Ennis was held pointless as Medicine Hat edged the Hurricanes, 2-1. The Edmonton native saw his five-game point streak snapped in the win. Jordon Southorn skated even in PEI's 4-3 shootout win over Val-d'Or. Jacob Lagacé (-1) had a productive five shots on goal as Chicoutimi lost to Rouyn-Noranda, 3-2. A night after skating for Team OHL in the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge, Nick Crawford played even as Saginaw defeated Sudbury, 3-2. Brad Eidsness made 33 saves in #15 North Dakota's 2-2 tie with Duluth. Another solid performance by the freshman starter had him headed towards another road win before the Bulldogs tied it up with a fluky power play goal with 1:30 to go. Corey Fienhage made the trip, but did not dress for the Sioux. In Hockey East, freshman Drew MacKenzie was a game-best +2 as Vermont upset #2 Boston University, 4-3. Corey Tropp (-2) fired a team-best five shots on goal as Michigan State was routed by Nebraska-Omaha, 7-1. Matt Generous was -1 as St. Lawrence fell to #8 Princeton, 2-1. Alex Biega was kept off the scoresheet for the third straight game as Harvard lost to #14 Cornell, 2-1. Andrew Orpik picked up a slashing minor in #4 BC's 2-0 shutout of UMass. John Muse made 27 saves in the win. Justin Jokinen was scratched in #11 Mankato's 3-2 overtime win over Michigan State, while Nick Eno remained out of the lineup with a ankle injury in Bowling Green's 5-1 loss at #6 Notre Dame.

11/16 Recap: Gogulla stars; Byron, Allard back on track

In the DEL, Philip Gogulla (+3) scored twice and added an assist as Cologne toppled Sinupret, 5-1. The three-point night was Gogulla's first of the season, as the 6'2 winger now has four goals and nine points in his last eight games. Once mired in last place, the Sharks have gone 5-2 in their last seven to jump to 11th in the 16-team league. In the QMJHL, Paul Byron (+2) scored a goal and an assist in the first 1:10 as Gatineau defeated PEI, 5-4 in the shootout. The game's #1 star, Byron also lit the lamp in the tiebreaker, guiding the Piques to their second straight win after dropping 13 straight. Jordon Southorn had a goal and an assist of his own in the Rocket loss, upping his season point total to 16. Jean-Simon Allard potted a pair of goals and an assist as Quebec glided to 5-0 win over Halifax. The three-point night comes after the 6'3 wing collected the same amount in his previous eleven games combined. The loss was the sixth in a row for the Mooseheads. Luke Adam and T.J. Brennan were both held off the scoresheet for the third straight game in Montreal's 3-2 win over Moncton. The Wildcats (18-2-2-0)lost their second straight after entering the weekend undefeated in regulation play. In the Dub, Tyler Ennis (+2) had an assist as Medicine Hat downed Red Deer, 5-2. His recent lift puts the shifty forward 13th in WHL scoring with 28 points. Drew MacKenzie was even in Vermont's 2-1 win over Merrimack. West Seneca, NY native Brian Roloff scored the game winner for the Cats during a second period power play.

11/14 Recap: Ennis, Myers produce; Genny flows in loss

Tyler Myers (+1) scored a goal and two assists as Kelowna fell to Vancouver, 5-3. All of Myers points came in a 9:00 span in the third period as the Rockets attempted a comeback. The 6'7 defenseman started the surge at the 5:15 mark when he poked a shot through a goal mouth scramble for his second of the year. He would follow with a pair assists, but the effort was too little too late in the loss to their division rival. Tyler Ennis repeated his performance from Wednesday, netting a late goal and then another in the shootout as Medicine Hat defeated Edmonton 3-2 at Rexall Place. The Tigers have won all twelve meetings over Edmonton since the Oil Kings joined the WHL. In QMJHL play, Paul Byron scored the lone Gatineau goal in their 4-1 loss to Shawinigan. The Olympiques (5-16-1-1) have now lost 13 straight games, and will look to end the madness against Montreal on Saturday afternoon. Luke Adam (5 SOG) and T.J. Brennan (1 SOG) were both pointless as Montreal edged PEI, 1-0. Rocket reargaurd Jordon Southorn, who was in consideration for the most recent Defensive Player of the Week award, had five shots on goal in the loss. J.S. Allard was again kept of the scoresheet in Quebec's 4-3 loss to Moncton. The Wildcats have now won ten straight on the road. Jacob Lagacé was -1 in Chicoutimi's 3-1 loss to Cape Breton. The quiet evening ends the Beloeil, QC native's eight-game point streak. In the ECAC, Matt Generous (+1) scored an even strength goal and added an assist for #19 St. Lawrence in their 4-3 loss to Dartmouth. In the final minute of the second period, the Connecticut native pumped one home from the high slot to tie the game at two. Alex Biega had a power play assist as Harvard defeated #16 Clarkson, 5-1. The junior corralled a faceoff win and flicked a wrister to the net that was tipped by Nick Coskren for Harvard's second goal. Corey Tropp garnered an assist in #17 Michigan State's 5-1 loss to #10 Miami. The Spartans only goal came midway through the first when a scrum kicked a loose puck to an open Mike Schepke. Andrew Orpik was even as #5 Boston College played to a 5-5 tie with Merrimack. Drew MacKenzie was -1 as #15 Vermont dropped a 5-3 decision to #7 Northeastern. Justin Jokinen was scratched as his #11 Minnesota State Mavericks defeated #3 Colorado College, 2-1. Brad Eidsness replaced Aaron Walski midway through the second period in #18 North Dakota's 3-2 loss to Alaska-Anchorage. The Albertan made 12 saves in relief, including one on a short-hanaded breakway by Paul Crowder. Corey Fienhage did not dress in the loss. In the OHL, Drew Schiestel (-2) returned to the lineup in Niagara's 4-3 OT loss to Kitchener. A point-shot deflected off Schistel's shin pads into the Dogs net to force overtime. Nick Crawford was -1 as Saginaw was dominated by Plymouth, 5-1. In Germany, Philip Gogulla was -1 as Cologne endured a 3-2 overtime loss to Duisberg.

11/12 Recap: Ennis nets 10th; dirty dozen for 'Piques

Tyler Ennis (+2) scored a goal as Medicine Hat defeated Edmonton, 4-3 in a shootout. Ennis' tenth of the season put the Tigers up 3-1 in the second period before the Oil Kings would come back to tie it in the third. The Edmonton native made a nice leg-kick deke to the backhand to mark in the shootout. Also from the WHL, Tyler Myers was even in Kelowna's 3-1 loss to Vancouver. Kelowna's Jamie Benn (DAL) and Colin Long (PHX) both failed to hit the scoresheet for the second straight game. In the QMJHL, Luke Adam (-1) and T.J. Brennan (-2) were held pointless in Montreal's 4-0 loss to Acadie-Bathurst. Finding the wrong end of the home shutout is especially displeasing when realizing that the Juniors, who move to 11-11 on the season, outshot the Titan 39-12. J.S. Allard was held without a point as Quebec defeated Cape Breton, 4-2. The Alma, QC native has gone cold, collecting just three points in his last ten games after scoring 12 in his first eight. Paul Byron (+1) had an assist in Gatineau's 3-2 loss to Saint John. Les Olympiques held a 2-1 lead heading into the third, but the Sea Dogs scored a pair to send Gatineau their 12th consecutive loss.

11/9 Recap: Southorn has productive shift; Lagacé cranking

Jordon Southorn (+2) had two assists in :39 as PEI hammered Rouyn-Noranda, 8-2. Well, they hammered them on the scoreboard anyways, as the Rocket only needed 18 shots to score their eight goals. Southorn, who fired two of those shots, supplied the pass for a nice two-on-one goal by Matthew Lachaine as part of his second period roll. Jacob Lagacé scored a power play goal as Chicoutimi defeated Baie-Comeau, 4-3. Tied at two in the third period, Lagacé's tenth of the season was the first of two markers in a 1:16 span as the Sags closed the door on the Drakkar. Lagacé how has goals in his last five games, and will ride an eight-game point streak into Friday's match-up with Cape Breton. Jean-Simon Allard was -1 in the Remparts 3-1 loss to the Cataractes. Allard's play continues to be "up and down" for Quebec. Meanwhile, the Shawinigan victory is their 12th straight, and they look like a team that could make a call on Gatineau's Paul Byron when the QMJHL Christmas Holidays trade window opens from December 20th to January 8th. In a Sunday NCAA battle, Andrew Orpik posted zeros for #2 Boston College in their 2-1 loss to Maine. The loss was the seond in a row for the defending champs after a Friday defeat at the hands of Notre Dame.

11/7 Recap: Eidsness bests #1; Adam pots pair

If you've been reading this space of late, we've talked about a looming shake-up in Gatineau where the Piques were riding a ten-game losing streak heading into Friday's game with Montreal. The shake-up came this week with Mario Richer resigning as coach, and being replaced by former NHLer Jerome Dupont. Gatineau owned the opening period of the new boss' debut, scoring three times on 17 shots, but Montreal stormed back with six unanswered goals for the win. Luke Adam lit the lamp twice, while the Juniors won their second straight game on T.J. Brennan's winner midway through the third period. Brennan and Adam also posted assists on the night, while the Piques' Paul Byron had a power play goal in the 6-3 loss. In other Q action from Friday, Jacob Lagacé scored a goal and an assist in Chicoutimi's 3-2 win over Victoriaville. Tied at one apiece heading into the third, Lagacé first set up Nicolas Deschamps (ANA) at 2:47, then scored his ninth of the year for the game winner about ten minutes later. Jordon Southorn scored a goal for PEI in their 4-3 loss to Cape Breton. The power play marker was Southorn's second of the season, and his play has been both improved and inspired since his return from suspension. J.S. Allard scored his fifth goal of the season as Quebec defeated Baie-Comeau, 8-6. The Remparts went 4/9 on the power play to earn the win. In the OHL, Nick Crawford was +2 in Saginaw's 7-2 win over Ottawa. His +8 for the season ranks him 20th overall in the O. From the WHL, Tyler Ennis scored his eighth goal of the year in Medicine Hat's 4-2 loss to Regina. Ennis tied the game at 2-2 early in the third when he raced in on a short-handed breakaway and made a nifty deke before roofing the puck over Linden Rowat (LA). The Pats would counter with two goals of their own to seal the victory. In NCAA play, Brad Eidsness made 29 saves as visiting North Dakota defeated #1 Colorado College, 3-1. Eidsness, who moved to 3-2 on the year, made many great saves to earn the W and should be back between the pipes when the two clubs play it back on Saturday. Freshman defenseman Corey Fienhage did not travel with the club for the weekend set. Alex Biega (+1) assisted on both Crimson goals as #18 Harvard lost to RPI, 3-2. The junior now has three points in three games. Matt Generous (+1) notched his first point* of the season, assisting on the overtime winner as St. Lawrence defeated Yale, 3-2. The senior started the game-winning play as he broke into the Yale zone and sent a shot just wide of the net. The puck was corralled and fed back to Brandon Bollig, who poked the puck over the line. Andrew Orpik was -1 as #2 Boston College suffered a 4-1 upset loss to #12 Notre Dame. The rematch of last year's NCAA final kicked off a Holy War weekend as the two school's football teams will also meet on Saturday. Corey Tropp (-1) returned to the #11 ranked Spartans lineup after a bout with mono in their 3-0 loss to Ohio State. In Alaska, Justin Jokinen (2 PIM) was even in #13 Minnesota State's 5-3 win over Anchorage. Freshman Drew MacKenzie was even in #16 Vermont's 2-2 tie with Providence. In the AHL, Tim Kennedy scored the shootout winner but saw his nine-game point streak snapped as Portland edged Springfield, 2-1. Mark Mancari scored on the power play, with Nathan Gerbe being credited with the assist. Adam Dennis made 26 saves to earn the win, while Mike Funk made his first appearance of the season after a concussion delayed the start of his schedule. The Rundown: Mancari: 1G, 6 SOG Gerbe: 1A, 7 SOG Kennedy: -1 Butler: 2 PIM Weber: even Schutz: 1 SOG Funk: 2 PIM Gragnani: 3 SOG Zagrapan: 2 PIM Funk: 2 PIM Kostka: -1 Whitmore: 2 SOG Card: even Dennis: 26 saves *Generous still hasn't been credited with an assist on Zach Miscovic's game winner against UNH a few weeks back.

11/5 Recap: On Pommer-like pace, Gerbe nets hatty

Nathan Gerbe scored an empty net goal in the final seconds to notch his first professional hat trick as Portland defeated Worcester, 5-3. Gerbe, who also added an assist, raised his goal total to 10 on the season including a league leading six on the power play. The blazing winger pounced on a Tim Kennedy rebound in the first period to score his eighth goal of the season. He later scored the unassisted game winner in third when he intercepted a cross-ice pass and buried the partial breakaway before topping the game off with :14 to play. Gerbe's early season ten-spot has him cruising at the same pace that Jason Pominville, then 23 in his fourth AHL season, was producing in 2005 before earning a call-up to Buffalo. Now a solid NHL performer, Pominville scored 19 goals in 18 games with Rochester before a J.P. Dumont abdominal injury forced the call-up. The 21-year old Gerbe is currently on pace to pot 20 goals in the same frame as a rookie. Mark Mancari tallied two goals and an assist in the win, while Kennedy added three helpers to extend his season-long point streak to nine games. Marc-Andre Gragnani skated as a forward due to a Colin Murphy injury scratch. Jhonas Enroth made 27 saves to earn his third consecutive win. The Rundown: Gerbe: 3G, 1A, 6 SOG Mancari: 2G, 1A, +2 Kennedy: 3A, +1 Gragnani: 1A Schutz: even Zagrapan: 1 SOG Card: even Butler: +1 Weber: 4 PIM Kostka: 1 SOG Whitmore: even Enroth: 27 saves, W ----------------------------------------------------------------------- In Wednesday QMJHL action, Jordon Southorn was +1 with three hits in PEI's 6-2 loss to Saint John. Luke Adam and T.J. Brennan were held pointless in Montreal's 1-0 shutout of Val-d'Or. Jean-Simon Allard was -1 in Quebec's 3-2 win over Rimouski.

11/1 Recap: Byron, Southorn go for two

Paul Byron scored his fourth goal of the year on the power play to add to an earlier assist in Gatineau's 5-3 loss to PEI. Rocket defenseman Jordon Southorn had two assists for the winners, bringing his season point total to 10 while helping send les Olympiques to their ninth consecutive loss. Jean-Simon Allard (+1) scored his fourth goal of the year in Quebec's 6-2 win over Val-d'Or. After ripping off 12 points through his first eight games, the 6'2 forward now has two points in his last seven. Also from the Q, Luke Adam and T.J. Brennan were both +1 as Montreal lost to Rouyn-Noranda, 2-1. Brennan has gone four games without a point and is down from his 41-point pace of the past two seasons, but his plus/minus ratio is at +7 after finishing a combined -23 over the same two-year span. In OHL action, Nick Crawford was +2 as the stout Saginaw defense held John Tavares in check all evening en route to a 5-1 win over Oshawa. The consensus #1 pick next June, Tavares entered the night with 14 goals and 26 points in 15 games played, but failed to notch a point for just the third time all season. Drew Schiestel was even as Niagara defeated Barrie, 3-2. The win was the first raod victory for the Dogs this season. The WHL's Tyler Myers had an assist as Kelowna defeated Lethbridge 4-3. The towering rearguard also picked up a roughing minor after a disagreement with 6'2, 200-pound Mitch Versteeg. In the WCHA, Brad Eidsness held a 2-0 after 40:00, but #18 North Dakota collapsed by surrendering three goals in the first 2:17 of the third period in a 5-2 loss to Wisonsin. The freshman made 27 saves while giving up four goals off a pair of point-shot redirects, a two-on-one, and a turnover breakway. Corey Fienhage had two minor penalties for the Sioux (including one for roughing) in the loss. In Burlington, Drew MacKenzie was even as #14 Vermont got their lunch handed to them by #3 Boston University, 7-2. Alex Biega (-2) posted four shots on goal as Harvard dropped a 4-1 exhibition loss to the USA Under-18 Team. We noted earlier that Justin Jokinen was a healthy scratch in #12 Mankato's Saturday night battle with #5 Minnesota. His replacement on the evening, Mike Louwerse, had two goals for the Mavericks in their 6-3 loss to the Gophers. Also from the DNP file, Nick Eno (ankle) didn't dress in Bowling Green's 5-2 loss to UNO, while Corey Tropp (mono) remained out of the lineup for #11 Michigan State in their 2-2 tie with Western Michigan.

10/31 Recap: Schiestel nets assist trick; Eidsness treats Sioux to W

Drew Schiestel (-1) had three assists as Niagara came up short in a wild 9-7 loss at Sudbury. At one point trailing 7-1, the Dogs clawed their way to respectability with a six-goal third period before Eric O'Dell (ANA) slammed the door with a late power play goal. Marcus Foligno ('09) bagged a pair of goals for the Wolves. In Grand Forks, Brad Eidsness made 20 saves for his second win of the season as North Dakota defeated Wisconsin, 3-2. The freshman was very sharp between the pipes, and likely earned the start when the two clubs play it back on Saturday. Filling in for the injured Joe Finley (WAS), the Sioux's Corey Fienhage (-1) committed a turnover below his own goal line that allowed Derek Stepan (NYR) to score the first goal of the game. Andrew Orpik had an assist as #2 Boston College defeated Merrimack, 4-3 in overtime. Working on the power play, Orpik hooked up with Paul Carey (COL) to get the Eagles first goal of the night. In a WCHA rivalry game, Justin Jokinen was +1 as #11 Minnesota State played to a 3-3 tie with #5 Minnesota. The game featured 22 penalties between the two clubs. Alex Biega (2 PIM) had five shots on goal as Harvard opened the regular season with a 4-1 win over Dartmouth. From the CCHA, Nick Eno (ankle) did not dress in Bowling Green's 3-2 win over Nebraska-Omaha, while Corey Tropp (mono) remained out as #12 Michigan State defeated Western Michigan, 3-1. In the QMJHL, J.S. Allard assisted on a Mikhail Stefanovich (TOR) goal in Quebec's 3-1 loss to Rouyn-Noranda. The second period helper breaks a five-game point scoring drought for the 2007 fifth rounder. T.J. Brennan (-1) and Luke Adam (-2) were both held off the scoresheet as Montreal got spanked by lowly Val-d'Or, 6-2. The Juniors move to 9-8 on the year, while the last-place Foreurs gained their second victory of the season. Paul Byron was -1 as Gatineau fell to Acadie-Bathurst, 5-3. The loss pushes the Olympiques losing streak to eight with roster moves seeming imminent. Out west, Tyler Ennis (-1) had an assist in Medicine Hat's 4-2 loss to Kootenay. In the DEL, Philip Gogulla (4 SOG) saw his four-game point streak snapped in Cologne's 4-3 shootout loss to Straubing. Gogulla saw his number called as the second Sharks shooter, but saw his attempt stopped by former Senator and Bruin, Mike Bales.