Andrey Makarov earned Player of the Game honors Friday thanks to a sparkling 41-save performance as Russia earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the USA.
Makarov made several point-blank stops, including perhaps his biggest in the game's second minute when he pushed from right to left in stopping a mini three-on-one break.
The Saskatoon Blades reigning MVP was tough from start to finish in the Russian crease, using quick limbs, and at one point even his head, to steer pucks out of danger.
Mikhail Grigorenko punched five shots on goal while winning 50% of his faceoffs (8/16). Despite being listed on paper as Russia's second line centerman, the 6-foot-2 distributor was the focus of an American clamp-down for much of the contest, as the defensive pressure pushed Grigorenko to the outside on the majority of his opportunities.
Team USA captain Jake McCabe, who finished the game with one shot on goal, showed a strong compete level while again being paired with Connor Murphy. His active stick was one factor in keeping Nail Yakupov off the scoreboard for the second straight game.
Russia will look for their third straight victory Saturday against Germany. Next up for Team USA is a Sunday showdown with Canada.
Jake McCabe recorded five shots on goal and a plus-one rating Thursday as Team USA kicked off the 2013 World Junior Championship with an 8-0 victory over Germany. The USA captain also added a pair of minor penalties in the win.
Paired with Connor Murphy (PHX), McCabe showed his footwork and mobility in a variety of situations in the tourney opener. On his very first shift, the 19-year old waltzed into the German zone, skated the puck deep beneath the goal line, and slung a quick shot from a poor angle. In his left defense post, the Eau Claire, Wis. native showed good awareness in using his angles and stick.
The four penalty minutes arrived via holding and tripping calls. The holding penalty came in the second period with fellow defender Jacob Trouba already in the box, putting the Americans down two men.
The USA defense corps, which surrendered 26 shots to the Germans, will face a much stiffer test Friday when they take on Mikhail Grigorenko and the host Russians. With a victory, USA can maintain the top position in Group B heading into Sunday's showdown with Canada.
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.
Joel Armia continued his excellent string of pre-World Junior Championship action Saturday, directing a team-best seven shots towards to the net in 17:29 of work as Finland scored four third-period goals to roll past Team USA 5-1.
The Sabres' first round pick at the 2011 draft, Armia was a confident player with the puck, mixing deft passing and vision plays in with the usual one-on-one moves and quick-release wrist shots. Just as impressive for Armia was his physical game, as he willingly used his 6-foot-3, 191-pound frame to bump and shoulder the American defenseman as the game played out -- a sign that his October and November battles with concussion symptoms should be a non-factor when pool play begins on Dec. 26.
Wisconsin defenseman Jake McCabe continued his steadiness and awareness on the American blueline despite the late collapse and undisciplined penalties. The USA NTDP product, who remained paired with Phoenix prospect Connor Murphy but also saw shifts with 2013 eligible Seth Jones, made a nice shot block early on the penalty kill and showed superb footwork in his own zone while garnering 16:56 of work.
A power play producer with the Badgers over his first year-and-a-half in Madison, the collegiate sophomore looks to have gained the trust of coach Phil Housley, and will likely survive the evening's final cutdown to remain with Team USA when play opens Dec. 27 versus Germany.
Final roster decisions are to expected be made by end of business Saturday.
Joel Armia scored on the power play Saturday as Assat lost 4-3 to KalPa. The big wing unloaded a one-timer from the left side for his eighth of the year as the Aces third period comeback came up a goal short. Next up for Assat is a Wednesday meeting with the Espoo Blues.
Also from Europe, Linus Ullmark made 20 saves as MODO J20 scored a late goal to capture a 4-3 win over AIK. Ullmark was a driving force with many big saves late in the game en route to picking up his fifth win of the year. MODO J20 will face Vasteras on Sunday.
In the OHL, Dan Catenacci notched the game winning goal as Owen Sound downed Sudbury 3-1. Catenacci, who added an assist on a Cameron Brace empty-netter, has seven goals and 16 points through the first 13 games. The Attack go back at it Sunday versus Windsor.
Justin Kea picked up an assist to extend his point streak to a career-best four games as Saginaw dropped a 3-1 decision at Peterborough. The 6-foot-4 center elevates his season line to 11 points (3+8) through 15 games. He posted a line of 3-11-14 in 65 games a season ago. After playing three games in three nights, the Spirit get to rest their legs until Saturday's meeting with Belleville.
Alex Lepkowski finished with an even rating as Barrie downed Niagara 4-1. Lepkowski continues to play tough defensively while also seeing time at the left point on Barrie's power play. The Colts travel to Sudbury on Friday.
Brady Austin did not factor into the scoring as Belleville pitched a 1-0 shutout of Kingston. The Bulls are off until Friday when they visit London.
In the WHL, Colin Jacobs connected for a pair of assists as Prince George dominated early but needed a shootout to get a 3-2 win over Brandon. Normally an ace breakaway performer, Jacobs missed on a penalty shot attempt in regulation and was stopped as the first Cougars shooter in the tiebreaking frame. The 6-foot-2 center has 18 points (8+10) at the 15 game benchmark. Prince George returns to action Friday at Kamloops.
Logan Nelson registered an assist in Victoria's 5-2 loss at Kamloops. The helper maintains Nelson's point-per-game pace through the first 15 games of the year (3+12). The Royals continue their road trip next Friday at Portland.
In the USHL, Judd Peterson scored a late third-period goal as Cedar Rapids fell short in a 3-2 loss to undefeated Dubuque. The St. Cloud State commit capitalized on a turnover and scored through the five-hole in the game's final minute. The RoughRiders host Tri-City on Friday.
In NCAA play, Jake McCabe and Brad Navin were unable to factor into the scoring as Wisconsin played to a 2-2 tie at Minnesota-Duluth. The Badgers return home next weekend for a WCHA set with Colorado College.
Mark Adams played even as Providence earned the weekend sweep with a 3-0 win over Maine. Jon Gillies (CAL) made 26 saves for his first career NCAA shutout. The Friars continue the Hockey East schedule next weekend at Vermont.
In AHL play, Rick Schofield recorded the first two-goal game of his AHL career to lead the Rochester Americans to a 6-2 win at Adirondack.
Schofield scarfed up a rebound to give Rochester at 1-0 lead 9:28 of the opening period. Frederick Roy assisted on the goal to record his first professional point.
Schofield again lit the lamp in the middle frame, sandwiched between power play marks by Kevin Porter and Evan Rankin as the Amerks took a 4-1 lead into the second intermission.
The Phantoms would get one back in the third before Nick Crawford's empty-netter and Nick Tarnasky's first of the year sealed the deal for Rochester.
With assists on the Rankin goal, Marcus Foligno and Cody Hodgson each hit the 10-point mark in game number eight to gain a share of the AHL scoring lead. T.J. Brennan went without a point to see his four-game point streak snapped.
Rochester heads home for Friday's tilt with Hamilton. The contest will be the first of five Friday night home games for the Amerks.
Justin Kea notched a pair of goals Friday including a hard-working short-handed game winner as Saginaw edged Oshawa 3-2. Kea's first-ever two-goal effort in 141 OHL games earned him the game's number three star. The Spirit wrap up their three-game road trip Saturday in Peterborough.
Mikhail Grigorenko scored his 11th goal of the year and added an assist as Quebec dominated Shawinigan 7-0. The Russian pivot sits with 26 points in 14 games heading into Sunday's meeting with Gatineau (which Grigorenko could sit for if Patrick Roy decides to subject his leading scorer to a rotation of European players). Grigorenko's teammate Adam Erne ('13) paced the Remparts with four goals and an assist.
Jake McCabe recorded two assists as Wisconsin blanked Minnesota-Duluth 2-0. McCabe rifled a shot that made it through to traffic to create the first Badger goal. Sophomore forward Brad Navin was unable to get a shot on net in the victory. Wisconsin will go for their first sweep of the season Saturday when the clubs conclude the WCHA set.
Elsewhere, Joel Armia posted two shots in 14:19 of work as Assat skated past HIFK 4-1. Armia has seven goals and 11 points though 16-games, but hasn't connected for points in consecutive games since the opening week of SM-Liiga play. Assat takes on KalPa on Saturday.
Dan Catenacci saw his six-game point streak come to an end as Owen Sound suffered a 3-2 shootout loss to Kitchener. Catenacci went backhand/forehand in his shootout attempt but was unable to score. On Saturday, the Attack will look to get back on track when they host Sudbury.
Judd Peterson was +1 as Cedar Rapids got past Indiana 5-1 in USHL action. On Saturday, the RoughRiders will tangle with undefeated Dubuque.
Logan Nelson (-1) was held off the scoresheet as Victoria was handed a 4-1 loss at Vancouver. The Royals head to Kamloops Saturday to play their second of seven straight road games.
Mark Adams punched a shot on goal as Providence scored a pair of third period goals to earn a 3-2 win over Maine. The Friars and Black Bears will conclude the Hockey East set Saturday at 7:05.
Christian Isackson contributed three shots on goal as Minnesota played to a 2-2 tie with the U.S. Under-18 team. The Gophers will next host Canisius College for a non-conference tilt on Sunday.
In the AHL, Rochester stormed back with a pair of late goals to force extra time but fell short in a 5-4 overtime loss at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Trailing 4-2 with just over a minute to play, David Leggio went to the bench to give the Amerks the extra attacker. Kevin Porter took advantage with 1:08 left before Mark Mancari put a shot just under the crossbar 43 seconds later to complete the unlikely comeback. However, a Paul Thompson goal off a partial breakaway would end the game in the Penguins' favor with just 14-seconds to play.
Luke Adam and Evan Rankin scored the other Rochester goals. T.J. Brennan and Alex Biega added pairs of assists for the Amerks, who head north to Glens Falls on Saturday to take on the Adirondack Phantoms.
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.
Corey Tropp scored a pair of goals and Mark Mancari scored the only mark in
the shootout as Rochester opened the 2012-13 season Friday with a 6-5 win over
Syracuse.
Tropp lit the lamp in the game's opening minute when he tapped in a two-on-one feed from Cody Hodgson. Later in the period, Tropp batted down a Luke Adam shot in front of the net and beat Dustin Tokarski to give the Amerks a 2-1 lead. Marcus Foligno scored shortly after Tropp's second goal to give the Amerks a 3-1 advantage at the first intermission.
Mark Pysyk notched his first professional goal in the second period before the Crunch went on to score four unanswered the take a 5-4 lead midway through the final frame. Mark Mancari rounded out the Rochester scoring to make it 5-5 with under four minutes to play in regulation to force the OT.
David Leggio made 29 saves and another five in the shootout to earn the win. Tropp suffered a lower body injury and is unlikely to play when the Amerks continue their opening weekend Saturday in Toronto.
In the QMJHL, Mikhail Grigorenko continued his superb start to the 2012-13 season by scoring two goals and an assist to extend his point streak to nine games as Quebec defeated Gatineau 4-1. The talented Russian currently ranks second in QMJHL scoring with eight goals and 20 points through the Remparts' first nine games. The Remparts are off until Wednesday's tilt with Saint John.
In Finland, Joel Armia scored his sixth goal of the year as Assat doubled Tappara 4-2. The 6-foot-3 sniper got the Aces on the board when he cut to the net and directed a Michael Ryan pass past the Tappara netminder. The two clubs will play it back on Saturday.
Linus Ullmark made 30 saves as MODO J20 downed Leksands 6-2. Ullmark was making his return to SuperElit action after a three-week loan to Mora IK of HockeyAllsvenskan. MODO and Leksands will play a rematch on Saturday.
In the WHL, Colin Jacobs picked up an assist as Prince George downed Lethbridge 3-2.
The helper extends Jacobs' season-starting point streak to a
career-best eight games (7+7). The Cougars continue their road trip
Saturday in Medicine Hat.
Logan Nelson saw his five-game point streak come to an end as Victoria lost to Kelowna 4-1. The Royals and Rockets will again face off Saturday in Victoria.
Andrey Makarov made 24 saves as Saskatoon lost to Kootenay 4-3. The Blades have lost five straight games to occupy last place in the East Division.
In OHL action, Brady Austin was +1 as Belleville pitched a 2-0 shutout of Brampton. The Bulls, who have secured five wins through the season's first eight games, return to the ice Saturday versus Oshawa.
Justin Kea logged a +1 as Saginaw smoked Sudbury 6-1. The Spirit moves on to face Brampton on Sunday.
Alex Lepkowski (-1) did not point as Barrie got past Oshawa 4-3 in a shootout. Barrie will host Sudbury on Saturday.
Christian Isackson scored his first goal of the year as Minnesota downed Michigan State 5-1. Skating with Florida prospects Nick Bjugstad and Kyle Rau, Isackson buried a wrist shot from the slot for the first regular season goal of his collegiate career. The Gophers and Spartans will conclude their opening weekend set on Saturday.
Brad Navin (2 SOG) and Jake McCabe (4 SOG) each went without a point as Wisconsin lost to Northern Michigan 2-1. McCabe was paired with Frankie Simonelli on the Badgers blueline after sitting out last weekend's tune-up win over the U.S. Under-18. Navin formed a line with Keegan Meuer and Brendan Woods. The Badgers will look for the weekend split on Saturday.
Mark Adams finished +1 as Providence opened the season with an 8-2 throttling of Sacred Heart. The Friars finish their weekend Saturday with a visit to Boston University.
Judd Peterson was +1 with three shots on goal as Cedar Rapids dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to Muskegon. The RoughRiders take on Green Bay on Saturday.
Mikhail Grigorenko scored a pair of goals Saturday as Quebec blew past Rimouski 7-2. Grigorenko had his speed and puckhandling abilities on display from the get-go between linemates Logan Shaw (FLA) and 2013 draft eligible Adam Erne. The brilliant center now has six goals and 16 points on the year, good for a share of the QMJHL scoring lead, while boosting the Remparts to a perfect 7-0 start. The CHL's top-ranked club, Quebec will conclude the weekend with a Sunday visit to Blainville-Boisbriand.
In the WHL, Logan Nelson scored two regulation goals and the only mark
in the shootout to lead Victoria to a 4-3 win at Tri-City. Nelson, who earlier had tied the game 2-2 with a nice backhand finish, struck again with 35-seconds to play in the third to force the OT. The first-star effort gives Nelson three goals, eight
points, and two shootout winners in the Royals' first seven games.
Colin Jacobs kept rolling with a goal and an assist as Prince George was outgunned by Kelowna 7-5. The big Texan opened up for a second-period one-timer as the Cougars attempted to overcome a three-goal deficit. Jacobs has points in all six Cougars' contests this year en route to co-leading the WHL with 12 points (6+6).
Andrey Makarov made 31 saves as Saskatoon lost 4-1 at Edmonton. Makarov surrendered three power play goals in the middle frame to see his record drop to 2-4 with a 3.59 goals against average and .888 save percentage.
In the OHL, Dan Catenacci scored the game winning goal in the shootout as Owen Sound defeated Guelph 4-3. In the second period, Catenacci picked up an assist when the rebound of his speedy breakaway attempt was buried to give him seven points (3+4) through the Attack's first seven games.
Alex Lepkowski notched a pair of assists as Barrie won their fourth
straight game 4-3 over Peterborough. Lepkowski's breakout pass earned
him a secondary helper on Mark Scheifele's game winner in the final minute of regulation. The multi-point effort was the third of Lepkowski's career and his first
since a one-goal, one-assist outing last April in game six of the OHL
Eastern Conference semifinal.
Belleville defenseman Brady Austin skated even as the Bulls got past Ottawa 5-3. Sean Monahan ('13) scored his fourth goal of the year for the 67's in a losing effort.
Justin Kea played even as Saginaw earned a 2-1 shootout win over Kitchener. Next up for Spirit is a Thursday visit to Barrie.
In Finland, Joel Armia earned a season-high 20:16 of work but was unable to score as Assat edged TPS 2-1. Former Sabres forward Mike Ryan scored the shootout winner for the Aces, who are off until Wednesday's tilt at Jokerit.
In NCAA exhibition play, Christian Isackson netted a natural hat trick as Minnesota crushed the University of Lethbridge 7-0. Isackson, who manned the right side on a line with Nick Bjugstad (FLA) and Kyle Rau (FLA), scored scored the first three goals of the game as the Gophers dominated with 65 shots on goal.
Brad Navin collected two assists as the Badgers skated to a 5-0 exhibition win over the U.S. U-18 squad. Navin, who made nice pass to slot for his second helper of the night, skated on a line with Joseph Labate (VAN) and Brendan Woods (CAR). Defenseman Jake McCabe sat out with an upper body injury.
In the USHL, Judd Peterson did not dress as Cedar Rapids was handled by Youngstown 5-1. The RoughRiders continue their homestand Friday versus Muskegon.
