Enroth's rest short-lived

In Sweden, SSK and Farjestad are underway in a battle of SEL playoff contenders. Sabres prospect Jhonas Enroth takes a rest today after three straight wins, giving way to Bjorn Bjurling (EDM) in the SSK crease. While Enroth wants to play as often as possible, it's probably a good move for Bjurling to get the nod. SSK will enjoy a 12-day rest after tonight's game, and the pair of talented goalies will need to stay sharp with eleven games left on the schedule. The 2007-08 season marks SSK's return to the SEL after a one-year demotion to the Allsvenskan. They're currently clinging to 8th place in the standings by a single point. Holding that spot down the stretch would land them in the final SEL playoff slot, keeping them out of a relegation series with a possible slip back to the Allsvenskan on the line. UPDATE: Enroth's rest lasted less than a period. As this was being posted, Bjurling let in three goals on nine shots, forcing the 19-year old to grab his gear. I guess the coaching decision wasn't such a great one after all. Enroth faced five shots through the end of the period, letting one by. We'll keep our eyes on this one.

1/24 Recap: Enroth sits again; Eidsness heads into break on top

The Sabres won a road game last night. Life is good. Jhonas Enroth has done nothing wrong, but he clearly has lost the starting job to Bjorn Bjurling in the SSK crease. After missing time after the World Juniors due to illness, it was thought that a healthy Enroth would get the nod against Djurgarden on Thursday. That wasn't the case, as Enroth watched his counterpart make 27 saves in a 3-2 overtime loss. In Enroth's defense, Bjurling has been exceptional over the past month. His save percentage is half a point better than Enroth's while facing 310 more shots in just seven more games played. Brad Eidsness made 25 saves in Okotoks' 2-1 home-ice decision over Canmore. Eidsness will now head north to Grand Prairie for the Rogers AJHL All-Star Weekend leading the league in wins (21), goals against average (2.01), and save percentage (.938). The wins are great and a GAA close to the promised land of sub-2.00 is worthy of praise, but the truest junior level goalie statistic is save percentage. Eidsness' sparkling number in that category is indicative of superb concentration and reflexes. Drew Schiestel picked up an assist as Niagara exploded for 59 shots on goal in their 8-3 win over the Otters. The swift skating Hamilton native is 7th on his team in scoring, ranking second among defensemen to 2008 lottery hopeful, Alex Pietrangelo. After an adjustment period to start the year, Schiestel is a safe bet to ascend the prospect rankings when the new list is released in mid-February. Bored over NHL All-Star weekend? Check here for updates on the 27 games involving Sabres prospects from Friday through Sunday.

1/19 Recap: Gerbe's streak ends; Eno, Eidsness shine

Saturday Night Fever. It might be time for Jhonas Enroth to get his starting job back in the SSK crease. The sensational rookie, who was arguably the best goalie in the SEL before winning silver at the World Juniors, watched again tonight as SSK lost 4-1 to Modo. Bjorn Bjurling, a 28-year old property of the Edmonton Oilers, caught fire and assumed the top spot for SSK right before Enroth left for international action. Bjurling has performed admirably as the top guy, posting a 2.32 GAA and a league-best .931 save percentage in 23 games. Meanwhile Enroth, who himself ranks second and third in SEL GAA and save percentage respectively, should be ready to see his first action since the WJC's on Thursday against Djurgarden. He's battled a bug for much of the two weeks since returning from the Czech Republic. Nathan Gerbe's point scoring tear came to an end as #11 Boston College battled to a 2-2 tie with crosstown rival BU. The 5'6 Hobey Baker favorite caps an impressive run of 27 points in nine games that began November 30th with a hat trick against the same Terriers team that shut him down tonight. The anti-Gerbe camp will be pleased with the unsportsmanlike/goalie interference minor he received just 1:27 into the game after running into Buffalo native Brett Bennett....Fourth-line banger Andrew Orpik was quiet for the Eagles, mustering just one shot on goal. Nick Eno earned another win with 18 saves in Bowling Green's 2-1 decision over Western Michigan. The freshman netminder's record is now 8-3, and he looks to be entrenched as the Falcons' #1 after playing both ends of the weekend set for the first time all season. Sabre prospects LW Tim Kennedy and RW Corey Tropp played together for what I believe to be the first time this season as #7 Michigan State shutout Ohio State, 4-0. Kennedy, the Spartans leading scorer, pitched in two assists while 2007 third-rounder Tropp added a helper of his own. North Dakota recruit Bradley Eidsness upped his record to 20-2-3 in Okotoks' 5-2 win over Lloydminster. Eidsness, who made 34 saves in the contest, leads the AJHL in wins, GAA, and save percentage through Saturday. Benjamin Breault had a pair of assists as Baie-Comeau rode a three-goal third period to beat Drummondville, 6-3. Indicative of his season-to-date, T.J. Brennan had a game-high four shots on goal and was a game-worst -2 in the loss. Brennan, the Sabres 2nd round pick in 2007, is now a disgusting -25 on the Foggies blue line. J.S. Allard opened scoring for the Fog Devils with his 13th of the year at the 2:45 mark of the first period. Chris Butler was +1 in #4 Denver's 4-2 win over Bemidji State. Butler, who is considered a high-end defenseman in the WCHA, had an up-and-down weekend after last Friday's rare icing miscue against Wisconsin. Steady D Matt Generous was St. Lawrence's only "plus player" (+1) in the Saints' 4-1 loss at Colgate. In the USHL, 2007 7th rounder Drew MacKenzie went pointless in Waterloo's 2-0 shutout win over Sioux City.