Showing posts with label lepkowski. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lepkowski. Show all posts

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Zadorov hit a key moment in London's run

It was game five of the OHL Western Conference final. The London Knights were leading the Plymouth Whalers 2-0 at the start of the second period. With a 3-1 series lead, the Knights were smelling blood but knew they had to keep their foot on the gas pedal in order to close it out. That's when Nikita Zadorov stepped in.

Plymouth forward Tom Wilson had been lighting it up all series long. The Washington Capitals prospect had victimized London goaltenders six times in the previous three games and was again getting opportunities. It was clear that knocking him of his game would help the Knights maintain their edge and provide a spark on the bench. Enter Zadorov, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound Sherman tank on skates who seemed to be the right man for the job.

 When Zadorov says that he "likes to hit", this is what he means:



Mission accomplished.

Plymouth ended up rallying to force overtime, but Max Domi scored the winner to give the Knights a 4-1 series victory. Following the game, Zadorov was praised for his freight-train job that no doubt rattled one of the Whalers' top guns at a key point in the series. Sometimes hits are as good as goals, and you can bet that Sabres scouts were on hand to witness the effort.

Monday, June 3, 2013

Class of '11: Jacobs in, Lepkowski out

In case you missed it, the Sabres last week signed Colin Jacobs (2011, fourth round) to a three-year entry-level contract. The WHL product was the leading scorer for the Prince George Cougars in 2012-13  with 25 goals and 53 points. Following his junior campaign, Jacobs reported to the Rochester Americans on an amateur tryout contract (ATO), where he scored a goal and two assists in 11 games. A big playmaking forward, Jacobs did not see any action in the Amerks’ three playoff games. Improving his quickness out of the blocks will be the key for the Texan to rise through the ranks.

The Sabres were unable to reach an agreement with 2011 fifth-rounder Alex Lepkowski, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound stay-at-home defenseman for the OHL’s Barrie Colts. The West Seneca, NY native performed well in a shutdown role for the Colts en route to their run to the OHL Championship series, scoring six points (2+4) in 22 postseason tilts. He had gone through the regular season without a goal. With the Sabres’ late-season signing of Chad Ruhwedel and the on-going AHL development of Matt MacKenzie and Jerome Gauthier-Leduc, sheer numbers made it difficult for Lepkowski to earn a role in the organization.

The Jacobs signing means that the Sabres have inked four of their six picks from the 2011 draft. The final player from that year’s haul, Wisconsin forward Brad Navin, will enter his junior year this fall. The Sabres won’t have a decision due on Navin until 2015.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

5/13 Recap: Lepkowski's Colts drop heartbreaker

Bo Horvat continued to impress NHL execs on his way to the draft with a pair of goals Monday including the winner with less one second remaining in regulation as London claimed the OHL championship with a 3-2 victory over Barrie. Horvat amassed 16 goals and 23 points in 21 games to earn MVP of the OHL playoffs. Horvat, along with fellow draft eligibles Max Domi and Nikita Zadorov will move on to Saskatoon for the 2013 Memorial Cup to battle Portland, Halifax, and the host Blades for Canada's junior crown.

Sabres defensive prospect Alex Lepkowski logged a plus-one rating in the game seven loss, and will now await next steps from the organization regarding his career path. Fans should expect to get a closer look at the 6-foot-4 defender at when development camp opens in July.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

5/11 Recap: Colts comeback falls short

Alex Lepkowski notched an assist Saturday as Barrie dropped a 5-4 overtime decision to London in game six of the OHL Championship series. Maple Leafs prospect Ryan Rupert recorded two goals including the OT winner to pace the Knights, while 2013 draft eligible Bo Horvat scored for the third straight contest.

The Colts trailed 4-0 after forty minutes but went on the attack in the final frame with four goals on nine shots to force extra time. With under five minutes to play in regulation, Lepkowski sprung Tyson Fawcett for an opportunity down the left side that was cleaned up by Mitchell Theoret (NYI) to make it a 4-3.

In Friday's game five, Lepkowski posted a plus-two rating as the Colts were downed by the Knights 6-4. Horvat struck twice and added an assist, while fellow draft eligible Max Domi contributed one goal and one assist.

The series now heads to an exciting game seven Monday in London to settle the league title. The winner will join QMJHL champion Halifax, host Saskatoon, and one of Portland or Edmonton at the Memorial Cup beginning on May 15.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

5/8 Recap: Lepkowski tough as Colts inch closer to championship

Alex Lepkowski maintained his chippy posture on the Barrie blueline Wednesday as the Colts got past London 6-4 in game four of the OHL Championship series. The victory gives Barrie a commanding 3-1 series lead with a chance to capture the title Friday in London. Lepkowski was a physical presence throughout the tilt, using his body and stick to defend while logging an even rating in the 10-goal affair (he was not on the ice for any of the goals). Winnipeg prospect Mark Schiefele collected four goals and an assist to lead the Colts, while 2013 draft eligible Bo Horvat pumped an NHL-style shot from the slot for one of the Knights’ goals.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

5/6 Recap: Lepkowski lights lamp as Colts grabs lead

Alex Lepkowski scored the game winning goal Monday as Barrie downed London 6-3 win game three of the OHL championship series. The doubling gives the Colts a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Lepkowski, who went through the regular season with scoring a goal, scored his second of the post-season just 1:40 into the third period to give the Colts the 4-3 lead. The Colts will look to inch their way closer to an OHL championship and Memorial Cup berth when the puck drops for game four Wednesday in Barrie.