Gerbe, Pirates continue to cruise

In Friday AHL action, Nathan Gerbe scored two goals and added an assist as the Portland Pirates beat the Albany River Rats, 6-3. The BC product now has 12 goals in as many games, good for second in the league. Marek Zagrapan and Mark Mancari (shortie) also added a goal and an assist each for the Pirates, while Derek Whitmore scored his first of the year in the win. With another two points, Mancari maintained his spot at the top of the AHL points leader board with 23 on the season. Jhonas Enroth made 27 saves for his sixth straight win. The Rundown: Gerbe: 2A, 1A, 6 SOG, +3 Zagrapan: 1G, 1A, +3 Mancari: 1G, 1A, 6 SOG, +1 Whitmore: 1G, +2 Kennedy: 1A, 5 SOG Kostka: 1A, +2 Gragnani: 1A, +3 Schutz: 1A, +1 Weber: +3 Card: +2 Funk: -1 Butler: -1 Enroth: 27 saves, W

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.

Three Stars of the Week - 10/27-11/2

Tim Kennedy, C (Portland - AHL) The newly-made pivot is thriving as an AHL rookie. He has scored points (3+9-12) in all of Portland's eight games, including two goals and three assists in three games last week. Jhonas Enroth, G (Portland - AHL) Another ripple in Portland's rookie wave, Enroth guided the Pirates to back-to-back wins over Norfolk. He earned his first AHL shutout in a 4-0 win on Friday, then stopped 35 of 38 shots in a 5-3 win on Saturday. Felix Schutz, C (Portland - AHL) The three stars gets dotted with yet another rookie. The German center is working his way up, posting his first two AHL goals in the weekend wins at Norfolk.

Kennedy adds to streak; Mancari on pace to place

Tim Kennedy and Mark Mancari continued their hot hands with three-point nights, and Felix Schutz added a goal and an assist as Portland defeated Norfolk, 5-3. Jhonas Enroth was again excellent in the Pirates pipes, making 35 saves to earn the back-to-back road wins over the Admirals. Mancari upped his season points total to 14, and now sits in second place on the AHL leaderboard behind Hershey's Keith Aucoin (18). Nathan Gerbe was -3 in the win, and saw his five-game goal scoring streak snapped along the way. With a goal and two assists, Kennedy has now pointed in all eight games for a total of 12 this season. He had point streaks of eight and seven games last season at Michigan State, and will look to post his longest run since leaving the USHL on Wednesday at Worcester. The Rundown: Kennedy: 1 G, 2 A, +2, 4 SOG Schutz: 1 G, 1 A, +2 Mancari: 1 G, 2 A, +4, 6 SOG Kostka: 1 A, +1 Weber: 1 A, +1, 4 PIM Butler: 1 SOG, 4 PIM Gragnani: -2 Gerbe: 4 SOG, -3 Whitmore: 1 SOG Zagrapan: -2 Card: -1 Enroth: 35 saves, W

Enroth dismisses Admirals

Nathan Gerbe and Tim Kennedy continued their scoring binge with a goal each, and Felix Schutz knocked him home his first of the year as Portland defeated Norfolk, 4-0. Jhonas Enroth made 29 saves on the road to earn the first shutout of his contract. Gerbe's goal gives him seven in as many games, including five in his last four. Meanwhile Kennedy's marker puts him on a seven-game scoring streak heading into tomorrow's rematch with the Admirals. The Rundown: Enroth: 29 saves, SO Schutz: 1 G, +2 Kennedy: 1 G, +1 Gerbe: 1 G, +1 Mancari: 1 A +1 Gragnani: 1 A, +1 Butler: +3 Kostka: +1 Zagrapan: +1 Card: even Weber: even Whitmore: even

Zagrapan, Gerbe pace Pirates

Down on the farm, Marek Zagrapan and Nathan Gerbe each potted a pair of goals as the Pirates extended their record to 4-1 with a 5-4 win over Wilkes Barre-Scranton. The goals were the first points of the season for Zagrapan, who also had an assist on the night, while Gerbe now has five in as many games. Marc-Andre Gragnani scored the first Pirates goal. Mark Mancari added three assists, while Jhonas Enroth made 33 stops to notch his first AHL win. Tim Kennedy racked up another assist, giving him points in all five games this season. The Rundown: Zagrapan: 2 G, 1 A, +1 Gerbe: 2 G, +2, 6 SOG Mancari: 3 A, +2 Gragnani: 1 G, +1 Card: 1 A, +1 Schutz: 1 A, +1 Kennedy: 1 A, -1 Weber: +2, 4 PIM Kostka: +1 Whitmore: 4 SOG Butler: -2 Hunter: left game (foot) Enroth: 33 saves, W

Enroth gets first start; Kennedy streaking

In Portland, Tim Kennedy and Mark Mancari assisted on the only Pirates goal in their 4-1 loss to Providence. From behind the B's net, Kennedy found Mancari who shuttled the puck to Paul Baier at the left circle. His shot beat Tuukka Rask at the 4:03 mark of the first period to give the Pirates the 1-0 lead. Kennedy's helper gives him a point in each of Portland's three games this season and a total five on the year. Jhonas Enroth got his first start out of the way for the Pirates, stopping 26 of 29 shots in defeat. Meanwhile, Marek Zagrapan would like to improve on the 0-0-0 -2 line he's put up in the young season. The Rundown: Kennedy: 1A, +1 Mancari: 1A, +1 Gerbe: +1 Butler: 3 SOG Weber: 3 SOG Card: even Zagrapan: 2 PIM Schutz: 1 SOG Whitmore: -1, 2 PIM Kostka: -1 Hunter: -1 Gragnani: -2, 2 PIM Enroth: 26 saves, L

Gerbe guns for two in Pirates win

Returning to the state where he achieved collegiate stardom, Nathan Gerbe scored a pair of goals to earn the game's #1 star as Portland won their second straight, 3-2 over Springfield. The explosive rookie was active throughout, firing a game-high seven shots on goal to lead the attack. Colton Fretter scored the other Portland goal. All three Pirates goals on the evening came with the man advantage. Gerbe closed a passing play with Tim Kennedy to give Portland a 2-0 lead in the first, then later lit the game winner in the mid-second. Marc-Andre Gragnani added a pair of power play assists for the Pirates, while Adam Dennis made 21 saves to get the win. The Rundown: Gerbe: 2 G, 7 SOG Gragnani: 2 A Kennedy: 1 A Butler: 1 A, -2 Kostka: 1 A Mancari: 5 SOG Weber: 4 PIM Hunter: 2 SOG Whitmore: 2 SOG Schutz: -1 Zagrapan: -1 Card: 4 PIM Dennis: W, 21 saves Look for Jhonas Enroth to get his first AHL start on Sunday when the Pirates do battle with Providence.

Dennis to start; Funk out indefinitely

The Portland Pirates will kick off their 2008-09 season tonight with a skate against Manchester. The Maine Hockey Journal reports that Kevin Dineen will likely keep Jhonas Enroth in waiting, instead giving the start to veteran netminder Adam Dennis. MHJ has also posted what they feel will the line combos for the contest.

F Mancari – Kennedy – Gerbe Darche – Zagrapan – Murphy Whitmore – Hunter – Bouck Fretter – Schutz – Bonneau

D Weber – Card Butler – Baier Kostka – Gragnani

With Mike Funk concussed, the presence of Mike Weber should provide quite a spark to the Pirates blueline. Per the Portland Press Herald, Weber thinks there might be a natural flicker by no longer sharing an AHL affiliation with the Florida Panthers.

Portland Pirates defenseman Mike Weber had been in town less than 24 hours, but he already sensed a big difference between this AHL team and the one he played on last season in Rochester.

"It's a better setup than what we had in Rochester," Weber said Friday morning. "We had two different (NHL) teams barking at the coaching staff, and there was a divide in the locker room. Here, it's a different situation."

Last spring, the Sabres ended a 29-year relationship with the Rochester Americans after sharing the AHL affiliate with the Florida Panthers for three seasons.

"Florida said they wanted these systems, and Buffalo said they wanted these systems, and the players were in the middle," Weber recalled. "It was a little bit crazy."

In June, Buffalo became the new NHL parent of the Pirates after the Anaheim Ducks ended their three-year affiliation with Portland.

"Everyone's on the same page here," Weber said. "It provides a less stressful environment."

It's safe to say that these comments validate the patience that many have taken with promising talents like Marek Zagrapan. On top of lacking veterans, last year's Amerks lacked any sense of cohesion.

2008-09 predictions and projections

I'm not Karnac, but I thought it would be a good idea to lay out some projection targets for the group of prospects this season. (Or perhaps I'm just getting a little cocky after nailing the Adam and Fienhage picks this summer.) Whatever the case, let's put our forecasting cap on and see what the season could look like. Do the Sabres have a potential 50-goal guy this season? The Sabres haven't had a 50-goal prospect since Shawinigan's Jason Pominville back in 2001-02, but this season could see a quartet knocking on the door. Tyler Ennis - 50 goals in 64 games with Medicine Hat. Paul Byron - 47 goals in 62 games with Gatineau. Luke Adam - 46 goals with Montreal. Nathan Gerbe - 44 goals combined - AHL and NHL Dylan Hunter was the last 100 point prospect when he hit it back-to-back in 2004-05 (104) and 2005-06 (117). Can one hit the mark this season? After notching 91 last season with Medicine Hat, Tyler Ennis should land somewhere around the century mark. We'll project 102 points but it's not going to come easy. I'm setting the bar high and hope he goes for it. Jacob Lagacé can do 32-51-83 in Chicoutimi with Nicolas Deschamps and Joel Champagne around him. Fellow Q-men Byron and Adam should fall in a slightly higher 82-88 point window. Who is going to rack up the most PIMs this season amongst the prospects? A healthy, suspension-free season could see Mike Funk sit atop the prospect PIM-meter. After finishing last season with 104, the WHL product still isn't a policeman but will be one of the more experienced blueliners on the Pirates roster. Mike Weber is likely to post big numbers in this category and is the clear favorite, but we don't expect him to be considered a "prospect" much longer. The dark horse here is actually Tyler Myers. The number "144" keeps flashing into my head, so I'm thinking he'll spend at least two hours in the box this season. A safe forecast would suggest that names like Gerbe, Weber, Chris Butler, and Marek Zagrapan could all see time in a Sabres sweater this season. What about a call-up sleeper? Felix Schutz has pro experience and enough shiftiness in his game to sneak up on everyone, including the Sabres - possibly before January. How about a projection for Jhonas Enroth in his first AHL season? The Swede should see plenty of action, going 24-15-4, with a 2.29 GAA, .912 save percentage, and two shutouts. Is Marek Zagrapan going to see his production increase? After seasons of 38 and 40 points, Zagrapan will have more talent around him to help him eclipse the 60 point barrier for the first time as a pro. 24-37-61 -3. Ambitious? He has it in him. Philip Gogulla more than doubled his previous year's output last season in Cologne with 44 points in 51 games. Can he do it again? No. The Sharks are awful this season, and there's a mess waiting for Gogulla when he returns. They have a new coach, and have started the year 0-7 after losing Ivan Ciernik's production to the KHL. Gogulla isn't a dominating figure at this juncture, so he'll be lucky to equal last season's numbers. I'd love to be wrong. Can Corey Tropp achieve the 20-pt sophomore bump that Gerbe and Kennedy did while in school? It's going to be close, but after a 6-11-17 season as a freshman, Tropp projects to 14-26-40 in year two in Spartanville. Which QMJHL defenseman will score more points this season - TJ Brennan or Jordon Southorn? Both will see loads of power play time, and both will be stride-for-stride in terms of offense. Brennan is on the better club and likes to shoot the puck more. I believe that Southorn will have more pressure to produce, landing somewhere between 45-50 points. Brennan, though, should hover in the neighborhood of 48-54 points. How about individual honors? Junior D Alex Biega is set to produce for a solid Harvard squad, projecting to 7-23-30 and +16 to get himself on the ballot for the Hobey Baker. Brad Eidsness has the skills, opportunity, and club in front of him to earn a spot on the WCHA All-Rookie Team. Breakout players: Andrew Orpik will be ready to elevate himself as a senior leader with pre-season #1 Boston College. Much has been made of his checking ability as a forward, but his underrated offensive contributions will surface once 2009 hits. Justin Jokinen will make a bit of a splash, as he's capable of 9-15-24 as a Minnesota State freshman. Other predictions... Underrated as a senior, Matt Generous will post his second consecutive season as a +12 with St. Lawrence. Chris Butler - 6-17-23 +6 with Portland Tim Kennedy - 18-26-44 with Portland. J.S. Allard - 22-52-74 with Quebec. Drew Schiestel 12-33-45 +11 with Niagara. Mike Kostka - 4-12-16 +2 with Portland. Bowling Green goaltender Nick Eno will post big wins against Michigan and Miami this season, finishing the year 14-11-0, 2.56 GAA, and .912 save percentage. Corey Fienhage will engage in a battle for the #6 defenseman in Grand Forks this fall, and should firmly cement himself in the Sioux lineup by Thanksgiving. Marc-Andre Gragnani - 19-44-63 with Portland. Nick Crawford - 5-19-24 +7 for Saginaw. Dennis Persson - 3-9-12, 15:49 TOI average in 46 games with Timra Derek Whitmore - 12 goals in Portland. Mark Mancari will again be named an AHL All-Star. Dylan Hunter - 55 points in Portland. I'd love to see yours, so have at it.

Goal for Gogulla

Clarke MacArthur just picked up his second assist of the night, setting up a well-positioned Philip Gogulla to make it 4-2 Toronto with about 14:00 to go in the third. The overhead camera on the feed was key, as it showed how Gogulla drifted about the goal mouth to get into his scoring angle to the right of Justin Pogge. Gogulla has played very well throughout the night, earning his keep after getting smoked by Carlo Colaiacovo early in the second period. The second period was a bumpy one for the Sabres. Pogge was fantastic in the Leafs net as the Sabres were outchecked for most of the twenty. Minutes in, an Ales Kotalik cough-up resulted in a Coaiacovo goal to make it 3-1 Leafs. Moments later, Robbie Earl emerged from the penalty box, getting behind the Sabres to go in alone to beat Jhonas Enroth for the 4-1 lead. The shot was the first action for the Swedish netminder in a Sabres uni.

Enroth ready to play

Jhonas Enroth spoke with the Buffalo News yesterday after an on-ice session at the Sabres Development Camp.

Enroth feels he’s ready, which is why he signed a three-year, $1.9 million deal with the Sabres last month. There was nothing else to learn in Europe, where he led the Swedish league with a 2.13 goals-against average. “It felt like I played well in two good seasons at home,” Enroth said. “I feel like I had to make the next step.” Enroth, a confident netminder, saw his stock rise at the world junior championships in January when he backstopped Sweden to a silver medal. It led him to say that he could be with the Sabres next season. After a conversation with Corsi, he’s tempered his expectations. “Of course I want to play in the NHL, but it’s going to take time, maybe two years, three years in the minors,” Enroth said. “But I will be patient and wait for my time and try to get it.” The only disparaging things scouts say about Enroth is he may not have the size to be an elite NHL goalie. He’s 5-foot-10, 174 pounds in an era of crease patrollers who are routinely 6-2. But it takes more than just bulk to block a puck. It takes movement to get in front of it. “I know if I was 6-foot or something like that I would have probably gone in the first round,” Enroth said. “[A big guy] can use his body and just go down and block the shots. I have to react and think a little bit more, try to get a step before the shooter.”

Enroth talks summer plans, Buffalo

Below is the best translation of a brief interview that Jhonas Enroth did with HockeySverige this week.

Jhonas Enroth, 19, goalkeeper From Sodertalje to Buffalo Sabres (former club: Huddinge IK) What will be your first goal when you come to camp and the NHL? -- In the first instance to play as good as possible and to make a good impression on the people in the organization. If you do not take place directly in the NHL, then select games in the AHL or Elitserien? -- I will play in the AHL in that case since I have no elitserien contract. What do you know about the Sabres? -- The first goalie Ryan Miller is known quite well, but it is not clear who will be backup, although I think the team will sign someone like David Aebischer or another. I have been in Buffalo in the past and the city and the team seems equally good organization. But in general, I know no one on the team except Dennis Persson. But I read on your website yesterday that he will be lent to a Swedish club the first year. Although some feel safe again some of the other guys from past camps. When do you go over? -- On June 24, I go over to a summer camp for a week, but then no date is clear. Even though it is well at the end of August, I can imagine. What are your summer plans until then? -- I train myself in the morning and with the Huddinge IK in the afternoon, so my summer will most probably consist of training.

While we're not sure if David Aebischer is going to be the Sabres backup in 2008-09, we at least have a good idea of when the Summer Prospects Camp is going to be.

Sabres sign Enroth

Per the Sabres website, Jhonas Enroth has been signed to a three-year deal.

“We’re very happy to have Jhonas under contract,” said Regier. “He’s performed very well in Europe, and we look forward to his continued development as a member of our organization.” Enroth (6/25/1988, 5’10”, 175 lbs.) spent last season with Sodertalje SK of the Swedish Elite League, and led all goaltenders with a 2.13 GAA in 27 games. A finalist for the league’s Rookie of the Year award, Enroth finished the year with a record of 10-14-3, along with two shutouts and a .932 save percentage.

Per Enroth's wishes, the 2006 second-rounder should expect to start his North American playing days with the Sabres unannounced AHL affiliate (rumored to be Portland, ME).

Enroth done with SSK, expects to be in Portland

News site Lanstidningen i Soldertalje is reporting that Jhonas Enroth will not be returning to SSK of the SEL, and instead is focusing on getting a deal done with the Sabres before the June 1st deadline. After that date, Buffalo will no longer own the rights to the Swedish netminder. Enroth mentions the Portland Pirates by name as his expected 2008-09 club. He's not against playing with the farm club "as long as the Sabres offer does not pay him poorly". He isn't ruling out a return to the SEL, but admits that he hasn't spoken to his agent regarding that option. For those who haven't been following, Portland is the long rumored destination of Buffalo's AHL partner next season. The Sabres have confirmed that they were ending the league's longest running affiliation agreement with Rochester, but no official announcement has been made regarding Portland. The Pirates, who have been stocked with Anaheim Ducks prospects the past three seasons, are currently playing the AHL Eastern Conference Finals. Expect a Larry Quinn press conference shortly after the Pirates season concludes.

3/8: Enroth ends with loss

Jhonas Enroth made 36 saves as SSK closed the regular season with a 3-1 loss to Frolunda. Finishing in 9th place, the club missed the top-league playoff while avoiding Kvalserien, a tournament round between the bottom two SEL teams (Brynas and Mora) and the top Allsvenskan clubs to determine who plays in Elitserien next season. Coming up later, Matt Generous and the St. Lawrence Saints, and the Bowling Green Falcons, backstopped by Nick Eno, each take 1-0 series leads into college playoff action this evening. Boston College (Nathan Gerbe, Andrew Orpik) looks to enact revenge on Northeastern as the Hockey East regular season comes to a close. Likewise, Chris Butler and the Denver Pioneers look to even the score with Colorado College. In Junior A play, Vermont recruit Drew MacKenzie and his Waterloo Black Hawks host Chicago, while North Dakota recruit Brad Eidsness and the Okotoks Oilers open their second-round battle with the Drumheller Dragons tomorrow afternoon.

3/1 Recap: Kennedy, Brennan stay warm

In Sweden, Jhonas Enroth made 36 saves as SSK fell out of the elitserien race with a 2-1 loss to Linkopings. With the 2006 2nd round pick pitching a shutout in his last start, SSK coach Leif Stromberg bucked his rotation to stay with the hot hand. Tied at one entering the third, SSK poured it on with 25 shots, but was unable to solve former Capital Rostislav Stana. Linkopings scored the game winner on the power play midway through the period. Rochester made the short drive down the 90, where they met their third straight defeat in a 3-1 decision with the Crunch. Marc-Andre Gragnani extended his point-streak to nine games with an assist on the sole Amerks goal, while Dylan Hunter also contributed to the tally. Gragnani is now second on the Amerks in points, and ranked eighth among AHL rookies. 2005 pick Adam Dennis made 22 saves in the loss. In the AJHL playoffs, Brad Eidsness made 16 saves in Okotoks' 5-3 win over the Calgary Canucks. The win gives the Oilers a 1-0 lead in the first round best-of-five series. Tim Kennedy ended the regular season on a strong note, posting a goal and an assist as Michigan State swept Bowling Green with a 4-0 shutout. Kennedy was +7 in the weekend home-and-home while pushing his season totals to 18-20-38 in 37 games. Since his 13-game run without a goal, Kennedy has scored five goals and four assists over a six-game point streak. Freshman RW Corey Tropp flipped a shot on goal in the win, while Nick Eno sat this one out for Bowling Green. The Spartans will now enjoy a bye week, returning on March 14th to face the winner of Ohio State and Western Michigan in the second round of the CCHA playoffs. Bowling Green will begin their tourney quest next weekend against Lake Superior. Junior sparkplug Nathan Gerbe scored his 23rd goal of the season as Boston College played to a 2-2 tie with Providence. With under five minutes to play in the opening period, Gerbe took a Ben Smith pass and buried one of his team-best six shots on goal. Andrew Orpik did not dress for the Eagles after leaving last night's game due to an upper body injury. DU assistant captain Chris Butler notched an assist in Pioneers 2-1 upset loss to Michigan Tech. The assist, Butler's 16th point of the year, came as he set up Rhett Rakhshani's power play goal in the third period. He nearly tied the game on an earlier third period power play when his shot from the right point clanged off the far post. Harvard defenseman Alex Biega pumped three shots on the Cornell goal in the Crimson's 3-1 win. Harvard's hot finish earned them a #3 seed and first-round bye in the ECAC tournament. They await the winner of Quinnipiac and Brown. Matt Generous (+1) raised his team-best rating to +13 as St. Lawrence defeated Princeton, 3-2. The steady junior's importance to the Saint blueline is clear when noticing that the next best rating on the club is +3. As the #9 seed in the ECAC, St. Lawrence will face #8 Colgate in a first round tournament match up next weekend. In the QMJHL, T.J. Brennan scored another goal as St. John's lost to Cape Breton in a shootout, 5-4. Brennan's goal, his 14th of the season and fourth in his last six games, forced overtime with 4:22 left on the clock. He was later stopped in a shootout attempt. J.S. Allard registered four shots on goal for the Foggies. Niagara's Drew Schiestel picked up an assist on the power play as the Dogs defeated Sudbury, 5-3. The Hamilton native now has five assists in his last six games from the Ice Dog blueline. In the Dogs win, Pens prospect Luca Caputi had two assists to go over the 100-point plateau. Drew MacKenzie was -2 in Waterloo's 4-3 loss to the Jr. Blue Jackets.

2/28 Recap: Shutout shoutout to Enroth

The Sabres European prospects have completed their day's work, while a few others are getting ready to strap it on back on North American sheets. In a key match-up, SSK netminder Jhonas Enroth made 33 saves to pitch an important 2-0 blanking of Lulea. The shutout was the second of the year for the 2006 second-round pick. Enroth also assisted on SSK's empty-netter in the game's final minute. Enroth's shutout keeps SSK in the hunt for the SEL's final playoff spot. Winners over Brynas tonight, Skelleftea is still two points in front of Enroth's club with just four games remaining for both teams. In Germany, Felix Schutz was active with three shots on goal, but he was unable to connect as Ingolstadt was shut out by second-place Berlin, 2-0.

2/25 Recap: Quiet night before the deadline

In the QMJHL, T.J. Brennan had a game high seven hits, but neither he nor Sabres 2007 fifth-round pick, J.S. Allard, were able to earn points as St. John's defeated Quebec, 2-1. Allard has gone without a point in his last three games. With SSK alternating starts, Jhonas Enroth got a rest as his troops fell to Brynas in overtime, 4-3. Skelleftea also lost, so they remain one point in front of SSK for the final SEL playoff spot. Bjorn Bjurling (EDM) made 29 saves in place of the Sabres 2006 pick.

2/23 Recap: Breault goes 1-2-3 for B-C

2006 pick Benjamin Breault scored his 28th goal of the year and added a pair assists in Baie-Comeau's 6-3 win over Quebec. Breault, whose goal came while being down a man, was named the game's first star with his three point night. He now has 63 points in 54 games as the top-line pivot for the Drakkar. Steady IceDogs defender Drew Schiestel assisted on the first two Niagara goals in their 4-2 road defeat of Peterborough. The 2007 2nd round pick continues to impress after an up-and-down run through the early parts of the season. T.J. Brennan scored for the second straight night as St. John's defeated Drummondville, 2-1. The first pick of the second round in last June's draft, Brennan now has 12 goals and 34 points for the Fog Devils. Foggies forward J.S. Allard went pointless in the two game set with the Voltigeurs. In Elitserien, Jhonas Enroth made 21 saves as SSK was defeated by Timra, 1-0. Despite the loss, Enroth is still sparkling with a .928 save percentage and a 2.18 GAA. Meanwhile, SSK remains on the outside looking in by just a point as SEL teams start looking towards the playoffs. Nick Eno made 22 saves to earn another "W" in Bowling Green's 2-1 win over Ferris State. The weekend split with the Bulldogs was the second time all season that Eno started both games of a weekend set over Flames prospect Jimmy Spratt. The steady frosh has now collected 11 of the Falcons 16 wins on the year. Tim Kennedy scored his 16th goal of the season on the power play, but his Spartans allowed a goal in the final minute of all three periods en route to a 5-2 loss to Michigan at Joe Louis Arena. In the second period, a Jeff Petry shot rebounded in the high slot to a waiting Kennedy who potted his third goal in four games. Freshman right wing Corey Tropp punched up one shot on goal in the loss. The Spartans will close the regular season next weekend against Eno and the Falcons. Alex Biega was even with five shots on net as Harvard defeated Brown, 2-1. The Crimson have now won four straight games since their loss to Boston College in the finals of the Beanpot. Andrew Orpik scored the only Eagles goal right out of the penalty box, his fifth of the season, as Boston College dropped another game to New Hampshire, 5-1. Nathan Gerbe was held scoreless with five shots on goal for the second straight night, and has just one point in his last five outings. Chris Butler was even as Denver used a weekend broom on Alaska-Anchorage, 3-1. Matt Generous was -1 as St. Lawrence lost to union, 3-1. The Saints lost their fourth straight game despite out-shooting the Dutchmen 47-26. Brad Eidsness faced just 17 shots, stopping 15 of them, as Okotoks defeated Camrose by a 3-2 score. Drew MacKenzie registered a shot on goal as Waterloo exercised the weekend sweep over Green Bay with a 2-1 win. Tonight also marked the NHL debut of Sabres prospect Marc-Andre Gragnani, who appeared in a Buffalo sweater in their 4-3 loss to the Rangers. Drafted as a defenseman but playing well as a wing at the AHL level, Gragnani was -1 with two hooking penalties in nearly six and half minutes of ice time. The hooking calls were the result of not moving his feet, something that can't be done at the top level. It's an overwhelming experience to play in your first NHL game, so he shall receive a mulligan from SabresProspects.com.