10/13-16 Recap: Tropp, Lagacé get tricky; Eidsness blanks rival

Corey Tropp scored his first collegiate hat trick Friday as Michigan State posted a big win at Maine, 5-3. The junior right wing scored one goal at even strength, and one each on the power play and penalty kill. Tropp was excellent with the puck throughout, making sharp moves around defenders to earn six shots on goal to help push the Spartans to a 3-0 season start. In the QMJHL, Jacob Lagacé had three goals and an assist as Chicoutimi plowed their way to a 6-4 win over Halifax. The 5'11, 196-pound forward filled an empty net in the final minute to complete his second career hat trick. The game's #1 star, Lagacé becomes the first Sabres prospect to hit double-digit goals with 10 in 12 games. Brad Eidsness stopped all 22 shots sent his way as North Dakota defended home-ice with a 4-0 shutout of rival Minnesota. The sophomore made a few clutch stops along the way to move to 3-0 on the season. The shutout, Eidsness' second of his NCAA career, was sealed when the Sioux killed off a five minute major in the final minutes. Sophomore Corey Fienhage was again a healthy scratch for the Fighting Sioux. In the WHL, Brayden McNabb continued his strong 2009-10 start, notching his third goal of the year and finishing +2 as Kootenay edged Spokane, 4-3. The 6'4 defenseman also earned a fighting major when he tangled with Chiefs disturber Kyle Beach (CHI) after the Ice scored the game's first goal. Elsewhere, Luke Adam scored his fifth goal of the year and went 16 of 24 at the faceoff circle as Cape Breton defeated Shawinigan, 2-1. The consistent 6'2 center has five goals and 11 assists by collecting points in all but two of his 11 games this season. Jordon Southorn was -2 as PEI was shutout by Moncton, 4-0. Top 2009 prospect Kirill Kabanov had three assists for the victorious Wildcats. In the OHL, Nick Crawford scored a goal and finished +1 as Saginaw defeated Sault Ste. Marie, 4-1. Crawford's third goal of the year got the 7-2-1 Spirit on the board in the first period to help hand the Hounds their fourth straight defeat after being the hottest OHL club in the first two weeks of the season. Marcus Foligno was -1 with hooking and roughing minors as Sudbury lost to Oshawa, 3-1. In the WCHA, Justin Jokinen had four shots on goal as Mankato dropped a 5-2 decision at Duluth. The sophomore right wing missed a chance at this first goal of the year when a good opportunity went high with his club trailing 2-1 in the second period. Nick Eno made 14 saves and surrendered one goal against as three Bowling Green netminders split time in a 7-2 exhibition loss to the USA U18s. DU-bound Nick Shore banked a puck off Eno from behind the goal line to put the Falcons down 5-0 in the late second period. ------------------------------------------- Playing catch-up.... Jordon Southorn was +2 with an assist on Tuesday as PEI shutout a strong Saint John club by a 4-0 count. Marek Zagrapan was even with two shots on goal as Severstal lost a tough one to HC MVD, 2-1. On Wednesday, Luke Adam had a pair of assists as Cape Breton downed Montreal, 6-2. Jacob Lagacé scored his seventh goal of the year on the power play as Chicoutimi came up short in a 3-2 loss to Rimouski. Vjacheslav Buravchikov was even through 12:16 of work in Ak Bars' 3-1 win over Motorist. In Thursday Q action, Southorn was -2 as PEI defeated Moncton, 4-2.

10/12 Recap: McNabb lights lamp; Foligno goes down fighting

A day removed from seeing the end of his nine-game point streak, Brayden McNabb (+1) started another by scoring his second goal of the year in Kootenay's 3-1 loss at Swift Current. Through 11 games this season, the 6'4, 210-pound defenseman co-leads the Ice in points (13), while ranking second in the league in assists (11), and third in penalty minutes (35). In 2008-09, McNabb posted a goal and four helpers through the first 11 games. In the OHL, Marcus Foligno finished -1 as Sudbury was blown out by Memorial Cup champion Windsor, 7-0. 2010 top dog Taylor Hall had a goal and an assist for the Spits, while Niagara Falls, Ontario native Justin Shugg ('10) had a goal and two assists. A chippy Foligno totaled 9 PIM in the turkey day battle, with the final five coming at 59:59 when he decided to take on Spits 6'4 captain, Harry Young. Young is a tough customer, racking up 50 fights over his five-year OHL career. Like McNabb in the Dub, the 6'3, 216-pound Foligno is currently third in OHL PIM with 37. Despite toting one of the league's worst records (3-6-0-1), the Wolves are a difficult foe nightly thanks in part to his consistent carving and banging. In the KHL, Marek Zagrapan was even with a hooking minor as Severstal defeated Lada, 3-2. Vjacheslav Buravchikov continues a bumpy run, finishing -1 in 9:44 of work as Ak Bars lost to SKA, 4-3.

10/10 Recap: Crawford piles helpers; Adam jamming

In the OHL, fourth-year defenseman Nick Crawford posted a career-best four assists on Saturday as Saginaw cruised past Belleville, 8-3. The 6'1 Crawford now has 12 points in nine games. Josh Shalla ('10) had a hat trick for the Spirit, while summer camper Adam Payerl connected on the power play for the Bulls. Marcus Foligno finished -1 as Sudbury was handed a 9-2 beatdown by Plymouth. Tyler Seguin ('10) had an even strength hat trick and two assists for the Whalers. At 6'1, 190 pounds, the 17-year old center leads the OHL with 14 goals, three hatties, and 11 assists in 10 games, and would be an ideal first-round target for the Sabres next June. In the QMJHL, Luke Adam extended a career-best six-game point streak with a pair of assists as Cape Breton lost to Saint John, 5-2. The big pivot paced the Eagles with six shots on goal and four hits, and continued to show improvement at the dot by taking 13 of 18 draws, but his club was forced into multiple turnovers by the hard skating Sea Dogs. Adam, who had a nice center ice collision with Dog dman Simon Despres (PIT), will enter Sunday's rematch as Cape Breton's leading scorer with 13 points (4+9) including eight in his last three games. Jordon Southorn (+2) assisted on both Rocket goals as PEI edged Rouyn-Noranda, 2-1 in OT. With Southorn putting forth a sound effort at both of the ice, Sabres Prospects continues to be impressed with undrafted Rocket, Adam Polasek. The import defenseman can skate with the puck, makes smart decisions, and likes the physical game. PEI was playing their first game under new head coach Eric Lavigne after the firing of Guy Chouinard earlier in the week. In Saturday college action, Corey Tropp had two power play assists as Michigan State swept Clarkson with a 4-3 win. The junior right wing had back-to-back multi-point efforts for the first time in his NCAA career, and seems to be clicking on the Spartans first line with Nick Sucharski and former BCHLer Derek Grant. Sophomore Connor Knapp was sharp in his first start of the year, stopping 20 shots to earn his third career shutout in Miami's 2-0 blanking of St. Cloud. Knapp directed the puck well, but was rarely tested by the Husky forwards. The #1 RedHawks will continue their Friday/Saturday goaltender rotation when they travel to New Hampshire next weekend. In Grand Forks, Brad Eidsness made 16 saves as North Dakota pushed off to a 2-0 season start with a 3-2 win over Merrimack. The Warriors were a little more active around the NoDak goalmouth, but Eidsness held his ground with good rebound cpntrol. Corey Fienhage was again a scratch for the Sioux as Dave Hakstol dressed a pair of freshmen ahead of him this weekend. Drew MacKenzie had an assist as Vermont defeated Denver, 6-4. Summer camper Brayden Irwin (#1 star) had two goals to lead the Catamounts, who earned the weekend split with the win. In the KHL, Vjacheslav Buravchikov was +1 as Ak Bars lost to Atlant, 4-3.

10/8 recap: Kassian remains out; NCAA on deck

With a separated shoulder sidelining captain Zack Kassian for at least another week, Peterborough rallied together Thursday for a 7-1 pasting of Erie. Ryan Spooner ('10) paced the Petes with two goals and an assist. In Thursday KHL action, Marek Zagrapan was -1 as Severstal defeated Ak Bars, 3-1. Defenseman Vjacheslav Buravchikov was a scratch for Ak Bars. Friday will be a productive night in the prospectsphere, with the first batch of NCAA non-conference games getting added to the junior slate. Corey Tropp and Michigan State will host Clarkson for a weekend set, while North Dakota's Brad Eidsness and Corey Fienhage will be in action against Merrimack. Nick Eno should get the start when Bowling Green faces Justin Jokinen and Minnesota State. In Colorado, Drew MacKenzie and the University of Vermont will take on Denver. With Miami coach Enrico Blasi expected to use a Friday/Saturday rotation with his talented sophomore tandem, goaltender Connor Knapp is expected to get the Saturday nod as CCHA powerhouse Miami takes on St. Cloud. In junior play, Brayden McNabb and the Kootenay Ice will trek east to battle Brayden Schenn and the Brandon Wheat Kings. In the OHL, Marcus Foligno and Sudbury will take on Nick Crawford and Saginaw, while the Kassian-less Petes will battle Mississauga. In Quebec, Jacob Lagacé and Chicoutimi will host Shawinigan. Mark Adams will continue to get his USHL legs under him when Chicago hosts Waterloo.

10/3 Recap: McNabb main motor; Foligno steps in

In Saturday WHL action, Brayden McNabb assisted on the game winning goal as Kootenay battled to an exciting 5-4 overtime win over Medicine Hat. Logging major minutes (30/35+) and riding a six-game point streak, McNabb continues to be tied atop the WHL scoring list for dmen with eight points. 2010 eligible Emerson Etem (Long Beach, CA) scored a pair of goals for the Tigers in defeat. In the OHL, Marcus Foligno was even as Sudbury lost a hard-fought battle to Peterborough, 5-3. For the second straight weekend, the Wolves physical pacesetter earned a first period instigator and fighting major for coming in to defend teammate John Kurtz after he was checked from behind by Petes dman, Chad Lowry. Foligno quickly engaged and earned the takedown. Still no word on when Petes captain Zack Kassian will return from his upper body injury. Nick Crawford had an assist as Saginaw defeated Sarnia in a rough-and-tumble affair, 3-1. Josh Shalla ('10) scored a pair of goals to lead the Spirit. After a second period that featured three fights, hard feelings spilled into the third with a line brawl that involved a match penalty and the goalies squaring off at center ice. Jacob Lagacé posted an assist as Chicoutimi lost to defending QMJHL champion Drummondville, 3-2 in a shootout. The Sags' leading goal getter with five, Lagacé was not tabbed as a shooter in the deciding frame. Also from the Q, Jordon Southorn was even as PEI got trounced by Rouyn-Noranda, 7-2. The rearguard had a bumpy third period, earning minors on back-to-back shifts and a misconduct in the final 10-minutes. In Europe, Vjacheslav Buravchikov was -1 in 16:19 of play as Ak Bars was shutout by CKSA, 3-0. Connor Knapp greased up his NCAA exhibition season, relieving Cody Reichard and stopping 17 of 18 shots as #1 Miami defeated Windsor, 6-2. Nick Eno made 13 saves and gave up a goal before giving way to Andrew Hammond as Bowling Green defeated Wilfrid Laurier, 7-3. Justin Jokinen was +1 with an assist as Minnesota State needed overtime to edge Lethbridge, 4-3.

Zagrapan panning out early

KHL rookie Marek Zagrapan seems to be getting the job done offensively in his new digs. On Wednesday, the former Rochester and Portland forward scored a goal and an assist as Severstal pushed past Dynamo, 4-2. The fresh start has seen Zagrapan net four goals and two assists through eight games thus far, placing him second on Severstal's scoring list for goals and points while averaging less than 12:00 of time per game. In Thursday KHL action, Vjacheslav Buravchikov played even as Ak Bars defeated Torpedo, 3-1. Buravchikov is -3 with an assist in eight games this season.

9/26 Recap: Busy night for CHLers

A trio of Sabres prospects are leading the way in the young season by registering points in every game since returning from Buffalo's training camp. Zack Kassian (+1) had a goal and an assist but tired Peterborough finished their third game in as many days with a 4-3 loss. The banging right wing has two goals and five assists to start the year, and will look to tie a career-best six-game point streak on Thursday against Oshawa. Ethan Werek (NYR) scored for the Fronts, while stud 2010 rearguard Erik Gudbranson had a pair of assists. In the QMJHL, Jacob Lagacé (-2) scored his fifth goal of the season then added another in the shootout as Chicoutimi came back to defeat Quebec, 4-3. Lagacé's tally at 10:27 of the third period knotted the game 3-3 and forced the extra time. Lagacé now has nine points through his first four games. Last season, he scored four goals and three assists in his first four games before notching just two assists in his next six. In the WHL, Brayden McNabb had an assist as Kootenay stumbled at home against Medicine Hat, 4-2. The Tigers, who were 1/5 on the power play, connected in the second period while McNabb served a roughing minor. The big defenseman will look to equal a career best five-game point streak when the Ice host Calgary on Friday. After scrapping on his first shift the night before, Marcus Foligno (+2) scored his first goal of the year in the opening minute on Saturday as Sudbury opened up a can on Belleville, 7-1. Showing no signs of wear from his energetic Friday, the grinding forward continued to throw his weight around in the second of a three-games-in-three-nights run. With an obvious affection for a fresh sheet of ice, Foligno was called for a checking from behind minor in the opening minute of the second period. Also from the OHL, Nick Crawford notched two assists as previously unbeaten Saginaw lost to Erie, 6-4. 2010's Andrew Yogan and Greg McKegg had goals for the Otters, while Anthony Camara ('11) had two goals and an assist for the Spirit. Rounding out QMJHL play, Jordon Southourn scored PEI's only goal of the game as the Rocket fell to Victoriaville, 3-1. The 6'2 defenseman beat Kevin Poulin (NYI) cleanly with :07 to play in the first period for his 2nd of the season. In Russia, Vjacheslav Buravchikov notched his first point of the year, an assist, as Ak Bars held on to defeat Salavat Yulayev, 4-3. Buravchikov's assist came late in the second period to put Ak Bars ahead 4-0. Salavat came back with third period goals by former NHLers Patrick Thoresen, Alexander Radulov, and Viktor Kozlov, but couldn't connect on a fourth with the goalie pulled and a power play in the final minute. In Sioux City, Mark Adams was even with 4 PIM as Chicago closed the USHL Fall Classic with a 4-3 shootout loss to Waterloo. Adams, who was earlier called for a tripping infraction, comitted a hook at 3:53 of the third period that led to the game-tying goal being scored on a penalty shot. Chicago finishes the pre-season with a 2-4 record.

9/24 Recap: Q forwards impress

Jacob Lagacé continued his hot start on Thursday, scoring a goal and adding an assist as Chicoutimi dropped a 4-2 decision to Val-d'Or. The reigning QMJHL Offensive Player of the week now has four goals and four assists in his first three games. Also in the Q, Luke Adam posted an assist in Cape Breton's 2-1 win over Gatineau. The big center had another strong all-around effort, showing dominance at the dot by winning 15 of 21 draws, while also pacing the Eagles with four shots on goal and four hits. In the OHL, Zack Kassian (-2) picked up an assist as Peterborough lost to Sault Ste. Marie, 5-3. The Petes held a 2-0 lead after the first period, but were outworked in the final forty minutes on home ice to take their first loss of the year. Nick Crawford was even as Saginaw remained undefeated with a 6-1 drubbing of Plymouth. 2010 eligible Ivan Telegin scored twice for the Spirit. In the KHL, Vjacheslav Buravchikov played even over 16:44 of action as Ak Bars defeated Barys in overtime, 5-4. The defenseman again skated bottom pair minutes with 23-year old Montreal Candiens prospect, Alexei Emelin. -------------------------------------- The USHL Fall Classic kicked off Thursday morning in Sioux City with the Chicago Steel falling to Sioux Falls, 3-1. Steel defenseman Mark Adams was -1 with a shot on goal in the loss. Russian scorer Andrei Kuchin had Chicago's lone goal, while Grand Island, NY native Matt Zarbo had two assists and team-best five shots on goal for the winners. Zarbo will join brother Joe next fall at Clarkson. The Fall Classic is highly scouted preseason tournament with all 14 clubs participating under two roofs. NHL teams will have eyes in the stands, as will all of the major NCAA D-I and D-III programs. The Steel open the regular season next Friday against Team USA. ------------------ Also of note, undrafted summer camp invite Michael Fine was sent home earlier this week by the Soo Greyhounds for disciplinary reasons. The 5'11 Fine will likely be traded to another OHL club this weekend as all parties agree that's the best option moving forward. With locker room troubles plaguing the Hounds last season, Fine reportedly had issues with attitude, focus, and committment in the early goings this year. He was moved from his natural center position in camp, and may have felt that his role was being diminished after not being selected for a shootout over weekend. This is the second early departure in the past six months for the skilled forward, who left Canada's U-18 camp last spring due to family issues. This can be a breakout year for the North York, Ontario native once he lands back with another team.

9/22 Recap: Pirates ship begins to fill; KHL heating up

The Sabres today announced their first batch of names leaving camp for farm assignments. Off to Portland of the AHL are the following 14 players: F: Tyler Ennis, Paul Byron, Maxime Legault, Travis Turnbull, Derek Whitmore, Kyle Rank, Brad Larsen, Mark McCutcheon D: T.J. Brennan, Drew Schiestel, Dennis Persson, Matt Generous, Mike Kostka D. J.P. Lamoureux No real surprising moves, as all were expected to start the year with the Pirates. Ennis had the potential to play one more game, but there are too many other battles to be won in other areas. Technically still the captain of the Shawinigan Cataractes of the QMJHL, Legault, 20, will shoot for an AHL roster spot and first NHL contract when he reports. The cutdown leaves 33 players still in camp including defensive prospects Tyler Myers, Mike Weber, and Marc-Andre Gragnani; forwards Nathan Gerbe, Tim Kennedy, Philip Gogulla, and Felix Schutz; and goaltender Jhonas Enroth. For those who've not watched any of the pre-season games, Myers has gradually gotten better with each of his three appearances. He's shown an adjustment to speed, demonstrated good escapability to start breakouts, and used his stick well to break up plays for quick clears. At this point I score him ahead of Gragnani and Weber, who committed several turnovers in Monday's win over Washington, but need more views to project him out against the current top-6. ---------------------------- Overseas, a pair of 2005 draft picks are getting deeper into their KHL seasons. Vjacheslav Buravchikov was -2 on as Ak Bars lost to Avangard on Tuesday, 3-1. The 6'1 dman manned the bottom pair with Alexei Yemelin (MTL) for 15:03 if action, a few ticks above his season average of 13:45. Ak Bars next plays on Thursday at Barys. On Monday, Marek Zagrapan was -1 as Severstal dropped a 3-1 decision to Metallurg. The 23-year old is -3 with four shots on goal in three games since scoring the winner in the season opener. Severstal will take the ice on Wednesday against an Amur club carrying former Sabres defenseman, Nolan Pratt. -------- Also of note, PEI's Jordon Southorn stayed away from practice Tuesday with a bug, and may not be ready to go for their Wednesday tilt with 4-0 Saint John. Brayden McNabb and Kootenay will host the Edmonton Oil Kings in a mid-week WHL battle.