Mikhail Grigorenko set up the game's first goal and played a part on the game winner as host Russia began their 2013 World Junior Championship quest with a 3-2 overtime victory versus Slovakia.
At 14:04 of the first period, Grigorenko connected with former Quebec Remparts teammate Nikita Kucherov, criss-crossing while entering the zone and taking a pass from the winger before dishing it back door on the give-and-go for the 1-0 lead.
The 6-foot-2 centerman continued to work the middle of the ice responsibly as the Slovaks fought their way back to even the game 2-2 with a strike in the final minute of regulation.
After Slovakia went shorthanded in overtime, Grigorenko came over the boards to take a key offensive zone draw with 14.5 seconds to play. The talented pivot came through, winning the puck back to the point and drifting through the low slot as a Albert Yarullin blast found the back of the net allowing Russia to escape with the two points.
Grigorenko finished the game with team-bests five shots on goal and a 69% success rate at the faceoff circle (11/16).
Sabres goaltending prospect Andrey Makarov served as backup while Andrei Vasilevskimade 32 stops to earn Russia's Player of the Game honors.
Russia returns to action Friday versus Team USA, who are captained by fellow Sabres prospect Jake McCabe.
Mikhail Grigorenko scored the game winning goal and added an assist Sunday as Russia closed their World Junior exhibition schedule with a 7-5 win over Switzerland. Grigorenko set up former Quebec Remparts teammate Nikita Kucherov for the game's first goal just 50 seconds in. The stalwart centerman, who was flanked by Anton Slepyshev ('13) opposite Kucherov, scored on the power play to give Russia a 6-5 lead in the final minute of the second period before the clubs played a much tighter third period.
Andrey Makarov struggled in Sunday's win over the Swiss.
Sabres goaltending prospect Andrey Makarov was scheduled to play the game's first 30 minutes before giving way to Andrei Vasilevski, but was instead removed at the first intermission after allowing four goals prior to the break.
Despite a talented handful of forwards, it was thought that Russia's strength was going to be between the pipes, but that appears to no longer be the case. Despite being previously dubbed "a pair of number one goalies" by Team Russia's goaltending coach, both Makarov and Vasilevski have struggled in the pre-tourney games leaving the door open for Igor Ustinsky ('13) to possibly get a look if their play and/or psychology in the crease doesn't improve.
Russia opens pool play for the 2013 World Junior Championship Wednesday versus Slovakia.
Jerome Gauthier-Leduc scored his second goal of the year Saturday as the Rochester Americans were dominated in a 5-1 loss at Binghamton. Leduc's tally came as he joined the rush to the top of the crease and buried a nice feed from Luke Adam, who extended his point streak to eight games with the assist. Connor Knapp made his sixth professional start, stopping 32 of 37 shots in defeat. The Amerks will begin a two-game set with Lake Erie Wednesday at Blue Cross Arena.
In USHL play, Judd Peterson recorded a minus-two rating as Cedar Rapids dropped a 7-4 decision at Sioux Falls. The St. Cloud State commit heads home for Christmas with five goals and 12 points through his first 12 junior "A" contests. Cedar Rapids returns to action Friday at Des Moines.
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In World Junior Championship news, Team USA made two of a required three cuts Saturday. Wisconsin defenseman Jake McCabe was not one of them. Instead, he was named the team's captain for the tournament. Safe to say the speculation that Phil Housley was "comfortable with McCabe" was quite accurate. Congratulations, Jake!
With McCabe's blueline partner Connor Murphy (PHX) reportedly nursing an injury with the tourney set to start Wednesday, Team USA sent just one defenseman, Brady Skjei (NYR) home, while waiting to determine whether or not they will need to send another rearguard home. Devils prospect Stephane Matteau was the lone forward released from the squad.
In Ufa, Mikhail Grigorenko and Andrey Makarov are set to take on Switzerland in their final pre-tourney tilt on Sunday. Russian goalie coach Vlad Myshkin told Sport-Express on Saturday that they have two number one goaltenders, and that they have yet to determine if Makarov or Tampa Bay prospect Andrei Vasilevsky will get the nod when pool play begins Wednesday.
In the lone Tuesday tilt, Andrey Makarov made 24 saves to backstop Saskatoon to a 3-2 win over Regina. The victory ends the Blades' two-game losing streak. Makarov has started 13 of the Blades' 15 contests and has entered midway through the other two en route to compiling a 6-8-0 record with a 3.13 GAA and .897 save%. The Blades are back in action Friday at Kootenay.
The Rochester Americans applied their rally caps Friday, scoring seven times in the final two periods to earn a wild 8-7 victory at Hershey. Marcus Foligno (first star of the game) paved the way with a career-best two goals and two assists as the Amerks twice overcame two-goal deficits to spoil the Bears' home opener.
For Foligno, the four-point night bests his previous AHL high of 2+1 posted last April versus Syracuse. It's his highest single-game output since a 3+1 effort in December 2010 as a member of the Sudbury Wolves.
T.J. Brennan (second star) collected two goals and an assist, while Cody Hodgson (three assists), Mark Mancari (1+1), and Brayden McNabb (two assists) also posted multiple-point outings.
The Amerks are off until Tuesday when they face the Hamilton Bulldogs at First Niagara Center in Buffalo.
Joel Armia returned from injury, cashing a goal and an assist as Assat blazed past Ilves 6-1. Armia, who now has seven goals and 11 points through 15 games including three multi-point efforts, missed just one Assat contest after getting his bell rung early in Tuesday's tilt with SaiPa.
Linus Ullmark made 26 saves as MODO J20 lost 3-2 to Brynas. The game looked to be heading to OT before a Brynas goal in the final minute of regulation handed Ullmark his first SuperElit loss since returning from Mora.
In WHL action, Colin Jacobs scored his eighth goal of the year on the power play as Prince George took a 3-2 loss to Spokane. The Cougars allowed a goal with 24-seconds left on the clock en route to accepting their fifth consecutive loss.
Andrey Makarov made 24 saves in Saskatoon's 3-2 loss to Everett. The Blades, who have allowed a league-high 55 goals against, have lost lost two straight games to remain in last place in the WHL's Eastern Conference.
In the OHL, Dan Catenacci extended his point streak to six games as Owen Sound was defeated by Oshawa 3-2. The loss halts the Attack's five-game winning streak.
Justin Kea picked up two assists as Saginaw lost an 8-5 barnburner to Guelph. The 6-foot-4 center has a goal and seven points through the Spirit's first 12 games.
Alex Lepkowski did not point as Barrie battled back to force extra time but lost to London 3-2 in the shootout. The loss was the first at home this season for the Colts, who remain unbeaten in regulation in their last nine games.
In NCAA action, Christian Isackson went without a point for the first time in four regular season games as top-ranked Minnesota earned the weekend split with a 3-2 win over Michigan Tech. The Gophers will host the U.S. Under-18 team on Friday before welcoming Canisius to Mariucci Arena on Sunday.
Mark Adams finished -1 as Providence suffered a 4-3 overtime defeat at #4 Miami. The Friars battled back from three one-goal deficits before succumbing in the extra session.
In the USHL, Judd Peterson did not play as Cedar Rapids came from behind to claim a 7-5 win over Indiana.
Mikhail Grigorenko scored his 10th goal of the year as Quebec lost to Victoriaville 6-3. The goal extends Grigorenko's season-starting point streak to 11 games. The Remparts, who lost for just the second time this season, return to the ice Sunday at Drummondville.
Dan Catenacci (+3) notched a pair of assists as Owen Sound skated to a 4-1 triumph over Ottawa. Catenacci's brilliant, no-quit effort earned him the number one star honor. The Attack remain home for Saturday's game with Oshawa.
Justin Kea did not factor into the scoring as Saginaw clobbered Saginaw 6-1. Saginaw welcomes Guelph to town on Saturday.
Brady Austin was -1 as Belleville was defeated by Sudbury 3-2. The Bulls are off until Wednesday when they play Mississauga.
In the WHL, Andrey Makarov made 26 saves as Saskatoon came up short in a 2-1 loss to Swift Current. The Blades will look to get back on track Saturday versus Everett.
In the USHL, Judd Peterson was -2 with a roughing minor as Cedar Rapids held off Indiana to earn a 4-3 victory. Buffalo Jr. Sabres product Andrew Poturalski scored the game winning goal in his first-ever USHL game. The RoughRiders will travel to Indiana Saturday to complete the home-and-home series.
In NCAA play, Christian Isackson assisted on a Nick Bjugstad goal as #1 Minnesota dropped a 5-3 decision at Michigan Tech. The sophomore forward has points in all three Gopher tilts this season.
Mark Adams skated on the second defensive pair as Providence played to a 1-1 tie with Miami.
In Rochester, the Amerks dug themselves out of a two-goal deficit in the second period en route to earning a 4-3 win over Grand Rapids. Brian Flynn (first professional goal), T.J. Brennan, Phil Varone, and Marcus Foligno all scored for the Amerks.
Frederick Roy made his AHL debut, appearing on a line with Nick Tarnasky and Rick Schofield. The other units:
In Wednesday action, Mikhail Grigorenko notched an assist and added an empty-net goal as Quebec downed Saint John 5-2. The multi-point effort ups Grigorenko’s season totals to nine goals and 13 assists through the Remparts’ first 10 games. Next up for Quebec is a Friday tilt at Victoriaville.
In the WHL, Andrey Makarov made 26 saves as Saskatoon skated to their first home-ice victory of the year 3-2 over Tri-City. The win, Markarov’s third in a row, improves his season mark to 6-6-0 heading into Friday’s visit to Swift Current.
Andrey Makarov made 29 saves Sunday to guide Saskatoon to a 6-3 win over Medicine Hat. The win was the Blades’ second in a row after losing their previous five. Makarov improves to 4-6-0-0 on the year with all four wins coming on the road. Next up for the Blades is a home game Wednesday against Tri-City.
In the OHL, Justin Kea was kept off the scoresheet in Saginaw’s 5-3 loss at Brampton. The Spirit return to action Friday versus Mississauga.
Dan Catenacci scored his second goal of the game in the final minute of regulation and then notched the shootout winner as Owen Sound downed Peterborough 5-4. The 5-foot-10 speedster has six goals, 11 points, and two shootout winners in nine games this season. The Attack are off until Friday when they host Ottawa.
Elsewhere in the OHL, Brady Austin earned the game's number two star with a career-best three assists as Belleville skated to a 4-1 win over Oshawa. Austin has collected five helpers through the Bulls' first nine games.
Alex Lepkowski played even as Barrie earned a 2-1 victory over Sudbury. The Colts are back at it Thursday versus Ottawa.
In USHL action, Judd Peterson pocketed a pair of assists as Cedar Rapids was dealt a wild 8-7 shootout loss to Green Bay. The St. Cloud State commit has a goal and four points through his first four games in a RoughRiders uniform.
In Sweden, Linus Ullmark made 28 stops as MODO J20 defeated Leksands 5-3. The win was Ullmark's second in as many days after being returned to MODO from his loan to Mora.
In Finland, Joel Armia finished -1 in 13:34 of work as Assat lost to Tappara 2-1. Armia will enter Thursday's game against Karpat with nine points (6+3) in 13 games.
In WHL action, Andrey Makarov made 27 saves to backbone Saskatoon to a 5-2 win over
Lethbridge. Makarov's victory, his first in two weeks (since 9/29),
improves his season record to 3-6 with a 3.51 goals against average and
.888 save percentage. The Blades continue their road cruise through
Alberta on Sunday with a stop in Medicine Hat.
Logan Nelson earned an assist on the game winning goal as Victoria edged Kelowna 3-2. Fellow Minnesotan Ben Walker (undrafted) had a pair of goals for the winners.
Colin Jacobs (-3) saw his eight-game point streak come to an end as Prince George was buried by Medicine Hat 7-2.
In the college ranks, Christian Isackson netted a pair of assists as #2 Minnesota cruised to a 7-1 hammering of Michigan State. Isackson helped out on goals by linemates Nick Bjugstad (game winner) and Kyle Rau. The Gophers will look to keep their early momentum going next weekend at Michigan Tech.
Mark Adams was +1 with a shot on goal as Providence lost to Boston
University 4-2. The Friars return to the road next weekend when they
visit #8 Miami.
Brad Navin (-1) and Jake McCabe were
both held off the scoresheet as Wisconsin was swept by Northern Michigan
4-2. The Badgers open WCHA conference play next weekend at
Minnesota-Duluth.
In the AHL, Marcus Foligno scored on the power play but it was all the Rochester Americans could muster in taking a 3-1 loss to Toronto. David Leggio made 34 saves including 15 in the third period. The Amerks host Binghamton on Tuesday.
