9/14 Recap: Armia leads Aces; Peterson pots hatty

Joel Armia scored two goals and an assist to earn the game's #1 star Friday as Assat opened the regular season with a 3-0 shutout of Lukko. Not a bad start for a player who failed to light the lamp in four preseason appearances, and who a season ago needed 15 games to get his second regular season tally.

The 6-foot-3 wing racked up several quality chances throughout the game, unloading a total of 10 shots in 14:45 of work. He finally got the Aces on the board at 10:58 of the middle period when he took a pass as he crashed the net and calmly lifted a backhand. Armia would strike again just under 10-minutes later by unleashing a heavy wrist shot from the right circle to earn the game winning goal. He capped the three-point night late in the third by finding Mika Niemi from behind the net for the insurance marker. Assat continues their weekend with a Saturday tilt against TPS.


In USHL preseason action, 2012 seventh round pick Judd Peterson scored a hat trick as Cedar Rapids dropped a 5-4 overtime decision at Waterloo. The goals came in just Peterson's second junior "A" appearance after scoring 47 times in 30 games last season with Duluth Marshall High School. Taylor Cammarata, who will be in Buffalo on September 29th to play in the CCM/USA Hockey All American Prospects Game, bagged two goals and an assist including the overtime winner just 38-seconds into the extra period. The two clubs will play a rematch on Saturday.

In WHL play, newly-inked Andrey Makarov stopped all 13 shots faced over 31-minutes of work in Saskatoon's 2-1 win over Regina. Makarov started the game before giving way to Patrick Johnson midway trough the second period. The Blades and Pats will resume their weekend set Saturday in Saskatoon.

Colin Jacobs posted an assist as Prince George was defeated by Kamloops 4-3 in a shootout. The helper gives the 6-foot-2 center a goal and two assists through four preseason contests. The Cougars are now done with the preseason with their sights set on Saturday's regular season opener at Everett.

Logan Nelson went without a point in Victoria's 11-round shootout win over Vancouver. The 6-foot-1 Nelson missed in his attempt as the first Royals shooter in the deciding frames. The Royals head home for Saturday's preseason finale against Vancouver.

In the OHL, Brady Austin was left off the scoresheet as Belleville closed out the preseason with a 5-4 win over Oshawa. Austin, who was paired on defense with 2013 draft eligible Jordan Subban, wore an "A" for the Bulls. Belleville opens the regular season Friday at Sarnia.

Alex Lepkowski did not register as Barrie lost to Kitchener, 6-4. The 6-foot-4 rearguard has posted a goal and an assist in his exhibition work. The Colts will close the preseason Saturday at Guelph.

Austin, Kea get helpers; Jacobs bounced

Brady Austin picked up his second assist of the preseason Saturday as Belleville avenged the previous night's loss with a 6-5 decision over Kingston. Winnipeg prospect Austen Brassard pocketed a pair of goals for Belleville. The Bulls get back to action Tuesday when they take on Oshawa.

Justin Kea notched an assist for the second straight game as Saginaw improved their preseason record to 3-0 with a 5-1 win over Sault Ste. Marie. The Spirit will next visit Sarnia on Thursday.

In the WHL, Colin Jacobs failed to collect a point but earned his second game misconduct of the preseason as Prince George dropped a 4-1 decision to Edmonton. Jacobs, who last week was bounced for instigating a scrap in the final five minutes of the Cougars win over Red Deer, was whistled for a check to the head and fighting major with just two ticks left on the clock in Saturday's loss. The Cougars are off until Friday when they visit Kamloops.

Logan Nelson scored the first goal of the shootout as Victoria earned a 3-2 win over Kelowna. The 6'1 forward will look for his first regulation tally on Friday when the Royals take on Vancouver.

Dan Catenacci did not register as Owen Sound downed Mississauga, 5-3. The Attack will travel to Elmira, Ontario on Sunday for an afternoon tilt with Erie.

In the USHL, Judd Peterson did not play as Cedar Rapids was defeated for the second straight game by Dubuque, 4-2. The RoughRiders are off until Friday when they travel to Waterloo.

Jacobs guides Cougars

Colin Jacobs scored a goal and an assist Friday as Prince George rolled to a 3-1 preseason victory over defending WHL champion Edmonton. The goal, which came off a deflection in front of the Rockets cage late in the second period, gives Jacobs a multi-point game in just his second outing as a Cougar after having just two in all of 2011-12 with Seattle. Alex Forsberg ('13) added a pair of assists for Prince George, who moved to a 3-0 thus far in exhibition play. The two teams will go back at it on Saturday in Prince George.


In Finland, Joel Armia notched an assist as Assat completed their preseason with a 4-2 win over Ilves. Armia, who continued to man a scoring line right wing spot, was unable to light the lamp in any of his four exhibition appearances. The Aces open the regular season Friday at Lukko.

Elsewhere, Logan Nelson finished even with a roughing minor in Victoria's 4-1 win over Kelowna. The two clubs will play a rematch of their fight-filled affair Saturday in Kelowna.

In the OHL, Brady Austin recorded a power play assist as Belleville was doubled by Kingston, 6-3. The two clubs will play a rematch on Saturday.

Alex Lepkowski did not point as Barrie dropped a 4-1 decision to Guelph. The Colts next take the ice on Sunday when they take on Kitchener.

In USHL action, Judd Peterson was -2 with three shots on goal as Cedar Rapids opened the exhibition schedule with a 5-3 loss to Dubuque. The two clubs, which combined for 99 penalty minutes on Friday, will resume the home-and-home battle Saturday in Cedar Rapids.

Jacobs, Nelson get to work

Colin Jacobs made his Prince George debut a scrappy one Saturday as the Cougars skated to a 6-3 preseason win over Red Deer.

The 6'2 center, who arrived in PG last month after a trade from Seattle, was unable to get in on any of his club's half-dozen goals but still made a mark with under five minutes to play by earning instigator, fighting major, and 10-minute misconduct penalties after a dust-up with Rebels defenseman Kevin Pochuk.

The Texas-born forward is better known for using his hands elsewhere (80% in shootouts last season), having just five majors in his WHL career and none since December of 2010.

Tate Olson, a 6'1 defenseman who isn't eligible for the NHL draft until 2015, led Prince George with a pair of goals including the game winner. The Cougars return to action Sunday against Medicine Hat.

In Friday preseason play, Logan Nelson finished -1 as Victoria was downed by Kamloops, 5-3. A 23-goal scorer a year ago, the game was Nelson's first in front of Royals new bench boss, Dave Lowry. Clay Spencer ('13) scored two goals in a losing effort. Victoria will continue their exhibition schedule on Friday when they host Kelowna.

Nelson heads home, McCabe remains

Logan Nelson has been released from the United States National Junior Development Camp following Team White’s Monday loss to Sweden. The Victoria Royals forward was unable to point in any of the three games he appeared in while playing both the center and wing positions.

Nelson was one of 11 cuts from the USA camp roster, leaving 34 players including Sabres prospect Jake McCabe in Lake Placid for more action. USA is off Tuesday before closing camp with games Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Armia scores, Americans eye cuts

Joel Armia scored the game's first goal Monday but Finland was overcome by USA Blue 5-4 at the United States National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid. Mario Lucia paced Blue with a hat trick including the game winning goal in the final minute of play. Sean Kuraly and Alex Galchenyuk rounded out the scoring for Team Blue.

Armia scored at 8:39 of the opening period when Blue's mismanagement of the puck in their zone allowed Robert Leino to find the sniper in the slot for a point-blank wrister. Armia, 19, is considered one of Finland's headliners for the 2013 U20 squad in what will be his third World Junior Championship.

Shifty 2013 eligible Jussi Ikonen notched a pair of goals for Finland, while London Knights defender Olli Maatta tallied the other.

Finland returns to action Tuesday afternoon for a tilt with rival Sweden.

The Swedes made their Lake Placid debut Monday with a 5-1 dismantling of USA White. Victor Rask led the defending U20 champs with two goals. Pontus Aberg, Mika Zibanejad, and Viktor Arvidsson added singles for Team Sweden.

Minnesota commit Mike Reilly scored the lone goal for White to join Sabres prospect Jake McCabe as the only American defensemen in camp with a goal. McCabe and 2012 draft mate Logan Nelson were held off the scoresheet in the loss.

Phil Housley and the USA Hockey brass will conduct a cutdown Monday evening before preparing the trimmed down squad for the final three games of camp. McCabe was an average performer on a crowded blueline but could earn a spot on USA's final pair for the balance of the week. Nelson seems like a longer shot despite a good camp showing, an experience that will translate well as he kicks off what should be his final year of major-junior.

Details to follow as the cuts are announced.

White falls to Blue

Sean Kuraly (SJS) struck for a pair of early goals Sunday, and John Gibson (ANA) stopped all 21 shots he faced as Team Blue avenged their opening day loss with a 4-3 win over Team White at USA's National Junior Evaluation Camp.

Sabres prospects Jake McCabe and Logan Nelson did not factor into the White scoring. McCabe showed his active two-way game and physical side while earning regular shifts on both PP and PK. He made some nice break-ups. He was whistled for a hit from behind on Johnny Gaudreau. Also of note was a key hustle play to get a clear while killing off a 5x3 in the third period.

After playing wing in Saturday's win, Nelson was moved to center on a line with Tyler Biggs (TOR) and Jimmy Vesey (NAS). He fared well at the dot, save for a few losses when opposite Alex Galchenyuk (MON), and showed quick feet and an ability to convert loose pucks into plays at the net.

After Kuraly beat Anthony Stolarz (PHI) for a pair of goals in the top half of the first, Vince Trocheck (FLA) connected on the power play for White after a nice cross-ice feed from Joakim Ryan (SJS) at 11:22. White would cash-in another cross-ice look at 17:17 when J.T. Miller (NYR) hit Stefan Matteau (NJD) for a one-timer to even the score heading into the first intermission.

Vesey gave White the 3-2 lead at 4:22 of the second when he capitalized on a bounce off an official's leg to beat Jon Gillies from the right side. Blue took control from there, starting with a Colin Blackwell (SJS) tally off a Jacob Trouba (WIN) rebound at 12:52 to tie the game. Steven Fogarty (NYR) capped the middle frame by cutting to the middle and scoring a heavy wrister at 18:34. Fogarty's mark made it 4-3 Blue, and eventually held up as the game winner as Gibson shut the door in the final period.

What happens next for McCabe and Nelson will be settled following Monday's White/Sweden tilt. McCabe is the only defender in camp with a goal but could use a strong game to stand out on the crowded blueline. Nelson has played like he belongs but needs to get on the scoresheet. He missed a golden opportunity on a re-direct early in Sunday's loss and hasn't received any power play time in the two games.

McCabe marks in White win

Jake McCabe scored a goal and Logan Nelson provided offensive spark Saturday as Team White opened the USA National Junior Evaluation Camp with a 5-2 win over Team Blue. The teams will return to the ice on Sunday for a 4:00 rematch.

I should say that the teams will return to the "soft" ice, as the 90+ degree heat in Lake Placid delivered a chippy surface that challenged the players from the get-go. 

McCabe, wearing jersey #4 in white, started each period on the left point opposite Notre Dame's Robbie Russo (NYI). He began the game well, showing good vision out of his zone and a smart stick that allowed for a few key clears. The second and third periods had peaks and valleys as good offensive chances were balanced out by some mistimed hits and passes. His third period goal stemmed from good awareness by stepping into the high slot to bury a shot. 

Nelson (#22) skated at wing on a line with Cole Bardreau and Blake Pietila. The unit was unable to score but maintained a quick pace throughout, providing pressure and action around the Blue cage including plays off the draw. Nelson unofficially registered three shots on goal and nearly had an assist when his no-look backhand feed from behind to the net went right to Cole Bardreau for a point-blank opportunity. Later on the same shift he corralled a puck in the left corner and made a strong move to the net where his stuff attempt was thwarted by Providence-bound netminder, Jon Gillies.

Blue dominated play for the majority of the opening period, finally striking with a Colin Blackwell (Harvard) goal at 14:46. White would quickly even the score when Sarnia Sting sniper Reid Boucher finished a play less than a minute later to knot the game 1-1 heading into the first intermission.

The teams began the middle frame with a quick exchange as Travis Boyd (White) and Sean Kuraly (Blue) scored within the first two minutes of play. White would get the go-ahead goal with less than seven minutes left when Seth Jones rocketed a pass from his goal line up the left side to Boucher, who hit a streaking Alex Broadhurst for the finish.

White continued to capitalize despite the poor ice conditions in the third. McCabe beat Gillies to make it 4-2 at 9:59. Nealy three minutes later, Tyler Biggs provided the game's final tally by scoring from in front while on a 4x4.

Michigan commit Jacob Trouba, who was one of USA's better rearguards at the 2012 WJC, was a healthy scratch but could play on Sunday as the split squads prepare for Monday tilts with Finland (Blue) and Sweden (White) before the camp's main cutdown.

McCabe, Nelson suit up for White

USA Hockey has divided its roster for the 2012 National Junior Development Camp and the two Sabres prospects in attendance, Jake McCabe and Logan Nelson, will be on the same side skating for Team White.

The 2012 draft mates will begin the tournament with Saturday and Sunday games against USA Blue. White will play their final preliminary game Monday versus Sweden before USA releases some campers and consolidates into one squad for three more tilts with Joel Armia's Team Finland (twice) and the Swedes.

It has yet to be decided whether or not Linus Ullmark will be in Lake Placid. Sweden will announce their camp roster following Thursday's game with the Czech Republic.