Gregg Sutch scored an early goal Tuesday but Barrie was defeated by Ottawa 4-3 in overtime of game seven of the OHL Eastern Conference Final. The 6'2 grinder took advantage of a turnover to pot his 2nd of the playoffs just 2:52 in. The Colts would battle back to force OT with :09 left in regulation before 67's forward Brett Gustavsen ended it at 2:09 of the extra session. Alex Lepkowski was +1 on the Colts blueline, finishing the playoffs with two goals, an assist, and a +10 rating in 12 games.
Ottawa advances to the Eastern Conference Final to face Steven Shipley and the Niagara IceDogs. The series begins Friday in St. Catharines.
In the QMJHL, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc earned an assist as Rimouski advanced to the semifinal round with a 5-4 win over Blainville-Boisbriand. The mobile righty advances to the next round with five goals, 12 points, and a +6 rating through 11 postseason contests. After coming back to defeat the Armada in seven games, the Oceanic will square off with Nathan MacKinnon and the Halifax Mooseheads beginning Friday. MacKinnon, who is considered to be the top dog for the 2013 draft, has 11 goals and 21 points in 11 playoff games.
Alex Lepkowski scored off a wrister from the point and added an assist Sunday as Barrie was defeated by Ottawa 3-2 to force a game #7 in the OHL Eastern Conference final. The multi-point effort was the second of his three-year career. Gregg Sutch scored the other Colts, his first of the playoffs and first in his last 18 post-season tilts. The clubs will decide the series Tuesday in Ottawa.
In the QMJHL, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc recorded three shots on goal as Rimouski edged Blainville-Boisbriand, 3-2. With the series locked at three games each, the clubs will play #7 Tuesday in Boisbriand.
In other news, the idle Amerks watched on during the final day of the regular season as the chips in place to give them the 7th spot in the AHL’s Western Conference playoffs. Rochester will square off with division rival Toronto for a best-of-five series beginning Thursday.
Game 1 – Thu., Apr. 19 – Rochester at Toronto, 7:00
Game 2 – Sat., Apr. 21 – Rochester at Toronto, 3:00
Game 3 – Mon., Apr. 23 – Toronto at Rochester, 7:05
*Game 4 – Wed., Apr. 25 – Toronto at Rochester, 7:05
*Game 5 – Sat., Apr. 28 – Rochester at Toronto, 3:00
With their playoff hopes hinging on a positive outcome, Marcus Foligno (#1 star) bagged two goals and an assist Friday to lead Rochester to an important 5-1 victory over Syracuse. The win bumps the Amerks into 7th place in the AHL's Western Conference standings with just one game left to play. A Saturday win over the Lake Erie Monsters, who are tied with Rochester with 84 points but sit in 6th place with two more victories, should give the Amerks a spot in the playoffs.
Nick Crawford, Evan Rankin, and Colin Stuart supplied the other Amerks goals, while Corey Tropp and Derek Whitmore each chipped in two assists. David Leggio made 30 saves for his 27th win of the year and the game's #2 star.
The Rundown:
Foligno: 2G, A
Crawford: G, A
Tropp: 2A
Brennan: +3
McNabb: 2 SOG
Adam: +1
Varone: even
A Saturday win gives the Amerks a legitimate playoff shot. Kevin Oklobzija of the Rochester D&C goes over the scenarios here.
In Friday QMJHL play, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc notched an assist as Rimouski lost game #5 of their playoff quarterfinal 3-2 to Blainville-Boisbriand. The helper was Leduc's 11th point through nine playoff games. Tommy Giroux scored the game winning goal for the Armada with under two minutes left in regulation. Trailing the series by a 3-2 margin, the Nics will head home looking to force a game #7 with a win on Sunday.
In the OHL, Alex Lepkowski (+1) and Gregg Sutch (even) did not factor into the scoring as Barrie missed a chance to close their Eastern Conference semifinal by dropping a 2-1 decision to Ottawa. Cody Ceci ('12) scored a power play goal for the 67's. The Colts, who previously had earned a 3-2 win on Thursday, will take a 3-2 series lead back to Barrie for Sunday's game #6.
On Thursday, Steven Shipley went without a point for the sixth straight game as Niagara bounced Brampton from the OHL playoffs with a 3-1 win. Fresh off a sweep of the Troops, the IceDogs will get the winner of the Barrie/Ottawa battle in the OHL Eastern Conference final beginning next week.
On Wednesday, Mark Pysyk scored on a shorthanded break, his 2nd goal of the playoffs, as Edmonton swept Brandon from the WHL playoffs with a 6-0 victory. The Oil Kings captain took a nice saucer pass and lifted a forehand to give Edmonton a 2-0 lead at 9:00 of the opening period. The Oil Kings move on to face Moose Jaw in the Eastern Conference finals beginning next Friday (4/20). Wheat Kings center Kevin Sundher (-2) was unable to gain a point in the four-game defeat, and finishes his disappointing stay in Brandon with five goals and 14 points in 27 games. The six-footer, who previous earned a three-year deal from the Sabres by averaging 1.60 points-per-game with Victoria before his January trade, is now eligible to sign an ATO with Rochester of the AHL.
In the QMJHL, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc picked up an assist as Rimouski evened their quarterfinal series at two games apiece with a 4-3 overtime win over Blainville-Boisbriand. The 6'1 defender has gathered five goals and 10 points in eight postseason tilts. Game #5 takes place on Friday.
In Tuesday action, Alex Lepkowski (+3) scored the game winner on the power play for his first career playoff goal as Barrie downed Ottawa, 5-2. The 6'4 defenseman pounded a slapshot from the point to give the Colts a 3-1 lead in the 2nd period. Colts forward Gregg Sutch returned to the lineup after missing three games due to injury. Barrie now takes a 2-1 series advantage in their Eastern Conference semifinal with game #3 coming Thursday.
Steven Shipley finished -1 as Niagara doubled Brampton, 6-3. After busting out with six points (5+1) in the first four postseason games, the 6'3 center has gone without a point in his last five. With a 3-0 series lead in hand, Niagara will look to use the brooms Thursday night in Brampton.
In Saturday playoff action, Mark Pysyk logged a -2 as Edmonton held on for a 4-3 win over Brandon. The Oil Kings now hold a 2-0 series lead in the WHL Eastern Conference semifinal with game #3 taking place Tuesday in Brandon. Kevin Sundher did not factor into any of the three Wheat Kings goals. The six-foot center has a goal and two assists in seven postseason tilts.
In the QMJHL, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc landed four shots on goal but could not register as Rimouski was shut out by Blainville-Boisbriand, 2-0. With no points in his last two games, Leduc slips to 4th in QMJHL playoff scoring for defensemen (4+4). The series is now tied at a game apiece with the teams heading back to Rimouski for Tuesday's game #3.
In the AHL, Phil Varone scored the game winner just 1:34 into the third period to give Rochester a 3-1 win over Hamilton. Even Rankin and Derek Whitmore also scored for the Amerks, who snapped a a five-game winless skid with four games remaining and the final Western Conference playoff spot still within range.
David Leggio made 25 saves in his 19th consecutive start in the Amerks crease.
The Rundown:
Varone: GWG, +2, 3 SOG
Crawford: A, +1
Foligno: 2 SOG
Adam: SOG
Szydlowski: SOG
Tropp: even
Biega: even
Fienhage: even
Jerome Gauthier-Leduc saw his four-game point streak come to an end Friday as Rimouski defeated Blainville-Boisbriand 5-3 in game #1 of the QMJHL quarterfinal. While not getting in on any of the goals, the 6'1 defenseman did fire a game-best seven shots. Leduc continues to lead league blueliners with eight points (4+4) through five postseason tilts. He'll play his sixth when the Nics travel to Blainville for Saturday's game #2.
In the WHL, Mark Pysyk skated even as top-seeded Edmonton opened their WHL Eastern Conference semifinal with a 2-1 overtime win over Brandon. Kevin Sundher did not record a point but helped get the Wheat Kings going in the third when he was bumped up to center the top line with Mark Stone and Michael Ferland. Brandon would fire 15 of their 29 shots in the final period, including an excellent two-on-one opportunity for Sundher, but could only get one past Laurent Brossiot to fall behind 1-0 in the best of seven series. The two clubs will play game #2 Saturday in Edmonton.
In the OHL, Steven Shipley helped provide late pressure despite being held without a point as Niagara downed Brampton 2-1 in overtime. Amherst native Dylan Blujus ('12) finish +1 for the Troops, who take a 1-0 series deficit back home to Brampton for Sunday's game #2.
Alex Lepkowski finished -1 and Gregg Sutch remained out with an injury as Barrie lost to Ottawa, 5-1. Rochester native Shane Prince earned the game's #1 star with two goals and an assist for the 67's. Game #2 will be played Sunday afternoon in Ottawa.
In the QMJHL, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc scored the game winning goal, his fourth of the series, as Rimouski swept Val-d'Or from the QMJHL playoffs with a 4-3 victory. The QMJHL leading regular season point-getter for defensemen, Leduc again leads the league in the postseason with eight points in four games from the blueline.
The series had a somewhat ugly finish, with fellow Sabres prospect Cedrick Henley (4GP 1-2-3 -1 15 PIM) involved in a skirmish at the final horn and then another shoving match near center match before exiting for the final time this season (below). The Oceanic advance to the second round to face a yet to be determined opponent.
(s/t to Jerome Berube for the video link)
In OHL action, Steven Shipley hit for a pair of goals including one shorthanded as Niagara lost their second in a row to Oshawa, 5-3. The two-goal effort puts the 6'3 center in a tie for the OHL lead with five playoff marks. The series is now locked at two games apiece with game #5 going Saturday in St. Catharines.
Dan Catenacci scored his first goal of the playoffs shorthanded and added an assist as Owen Sound earned an exciting 6-5 overtime win over Kitchener. The Attack get their first win of the series with plenty of work ahead to dig out from their 3-1 deficit. The Attack will again look to extend their season on Friday in Kitchener.
In WHL play, Mark Pysyk notched an assist on the game winner as Edmonton erupted for five third period goals en route to a 6-3 win over Kootenay. Nathan Lieuwen stopped 17 of 18 shots through two periods before allowing four goals in the final frame. He finished the game with 31 saves. The Oil Kings will go for the sweep on Thursday.
In a Wednesday morning tilt, T.J. Brennan scored his 15th goal of the year as Rochester lost to Albany, 2-1. Brennan, who hits the 15-mark for a second straight season, is currently the second leading goal scorer among AHL defenders. The leader, Eric Gelinas of the Devils, has 16 while playing 20 more games.
David Leggio made 32 saves to earn the game's #3 star.
The Rundown:
Brennan: G, -1, 4 SOG
McNabb: A, -1
Adam: 2 SOG
Biega: SOG
Crawford: SOG
Szydlowski: SOG
Lagace: even
The second-year Assat forward has been ruled out of action for roughly six weeks after an examination Tuesday revealed stress to his knee suffered in Saturday's loss to JYP.
The 18-year wing finished Saturday's game after getting stung in a collision, and also went ahead and collected two assists in over 19-minutes of work on Monday before finally being shut down.
The injury will not require surgery but will cause him to miss the rest of the playoffs and likely take him out of consideration for the World Championships, which take place in Scandanavia in early May.
In the QMJHL, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc (+3) scored his third goal of the playoffs as Rimouski edged Val-d’Or 3-2 in overtime. Foreurs captain Cedrick Henley finished -1 with a game-best eight hits in defeat. The Oceanic hold a 3-0 series lead and will look to use the brooms Wednesday night in Val-d’Or.
In the WHL, Kevin Sundher did not factor into the scoring as Brandon defeated Calgary 3-1 in game #4 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal. With a 3-1 series lead, the Wheat Kings will look to eliminate the Hitmen Thursday on home ice.
Gregg Sutch and Alex Lepkowski were each a -1 as Barrie lost at Mississauga, 3-2. With the series evened at two games apiece, game #5 will take place Saturday in Barrie.
Jerome Gauthier-Leduc scored a goal and three assists Saturday as Rimouski got out to a commanding 2-0 series lead with an 8-5 win over Val-d'Or. The four-point night was the third of Leduc's 2011-12 year and first since early December. Cedrick Henley scored a goal and an assist for the Foreurs, who battled back from a 6-2 deficit to within one before the Nics closed it out with a pair of goals (including an empty netter) in the final two minutes of regulation. Game #3 is set for Tuesday in Val-d'Or.
Joel Armia (-1) sent five shots on goal as Assat was defeated for the second straight game by JYP, 2-1. The 6'3 wing competed hard after a disappointing effort in Thursday's opener, upping the physical ante early in hopes of setting a different tone. At one point he left the game after a collision with Sami Vatanen (below) but claimed during a second intermission interview that it was only to refill his sport drink. Assat now trails the series 2-0 with game #3 set for Monday in Jyvaskyla.
Dan Catenacci posted an assist as Owen Sound was defeated by Kitchener, 3-2. The defending OHL champion Attack, who played most of the game with just nine forwards, fall into a 2-0 series hole with game #3 coming Monday at Kitchener.
In the NCAA West Region semifinal, Brad Eidsness served as backup as #1 North Dakota defeated #4 Western Michigan, 3-1. The Sioux move on to a Sunday meeting with rival Minnesota, who advanced with a 7-3 win over Boston University. Gopher freshman Christian Isackson was a healthy scratch for the 10th straight game. UND defeated Minnesota last weekend for the right to play for the WCHA's automatic bid.
In AHL play, Phil Varone scored a goal and an assist in regulation and then secured the victory with the only marker in the shootout as Rochester earned a 4-3 win over Syracuse to get back into the final Western Conference playoff spot.
Vets Evan Rankin and Paul Szczechura netted the other Amerks goals, while David Leggio made 31 stops and another five in the shootout for his 24th win of the year.
The Rundown:
Varone: G, A, +1
Biega: 2A, +2
Brennan: A, +2
Lagace: -1
Adam: 4 SOG
McNabb: -2
Persson: -2
Szydlowski: -1
The Amerks will next play at Albany on Wednesday morning.
