Showing posts with label shipley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shipley. Show all posts

Friday, June 1, 2012

Trio goes unsigned

The Buffalo Sabres announced Friday that three prospects from the 2010 draft - Steven Shipley, Gregg Sutch, and Cedrick Henley - have gone unsigned by the June 1st deadline and will now enter the 2012 draft held later this month in Pittsburgh.

After skating in the CHL Top Prospects Game and piling 63 points in his draft year, Shipley slipped to the fourth round where the Sabres snagged him with the 98th pick. The Ilderton, ON native requested a trade out of Owen Sound following his selection, ultimately ending up with the Niagara IceDogs where he scored 40 goals and 99 points over the past two seasons. A player with a nice frame and playmaking ability, the 6'3, 212-pounder was unable to consistently show the compete level to earn a tender. With a contract already awarded to Phil Varone, a center who ironically went unsigned by San Jose, the writing seemed to be on the wall despite a more passionate effort in the IceDogs run to the OHL final.

For Sutch, the Sabres fifth-rounder in 2010, the past two seasons have been marked by hard-nosed play and some entertaining scraps. On the down side was a smattering of injuries ranging from multiple concussions and a broken wrist suffered at the 2011 Memorial Cup as a member of the Mississauga-St. Michael's Majors. Going to Barrie for the 2011-12 year, the 6'2 grinder was able to score a career-best nine goals but was forced down the lineup with the Colts boasting a talented forward attack.

Projected as a power forward project, the 6'5 Henley captained the Val-d'Or Foreurs this past season, scoring career highs of 13 goals and 39 points in 53 games. The former 4th overall pick in QMJHL draft (2008), the Sabres invested in his potential with a sixth-round pick but unfortunately saw his development stall when most of his first post-draft year was washed out due to wrist surgery.

The trio become the first Sabres prospects to be released back to the draft since Jordon Southorn was cut loose in the spring of 2010. Three others, North Dakota goaltender Brad Eidsness (2007, 5th round), Vermont defender Drew MacKenzie (2007, 7th round), and Minnesota State forward Justin Jokinen (2008, 4th round), recently completed their senior NCAA seasons and do not appear to be in the team's go-forward strategy.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

5/11 Recap: Shipley done

Steven Shipley (-1) saw his season come to an end Friday as the Niagara IceDogs were defeated by the London Knights 2-1 in game #5 of the OHL Championship. The IceDogs lose the series 4-1 to complete their most successful season in franchise history, while the Knights pack their bags for Shawinigan, Quebec and a spot in the 2012 Memorial Cup.

Austin Watson (NAS) and Seth Griffith each potted their 10th of the season to lead the Knights to their second-ever title, while Michael Houser continued his excellence with 26 saves.

Shipley, who retreated to the dressing room late in the middle frame after getting clipped with a Jarred Tinordi high stick, started the playoffs on a tear with five goals and an assist in his first four postseason games. He was ultimately counted on for faceoffs and responsible two-way play the rest of the way, notching three assists through the final 16 games. His mark of the postseason likely wasn't a goal but rather a key shot block in the final minute of the Dogs Eastern Conference clinching win over Ottawa. Being a 2010 draft pick, the Sabres have until June 1st to decide whether or not they wish they to maintain his NHL rights by signing him to an NHL contract.

London joins the QMJHL champion Saint John Sea Dogs and the host Shawinigan Cataractes at the 2012 Memorial Cup beginning May 18th. The weekend will bring us the fourth and final entry from the WHL as Mark Pysyk's Edmonton Oil Kings look to close out their 3-2 series lead over the Portland Winterhawks.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

5/9 Recap: Leduc connects; clubs on brink

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc posted a goal and an assist Wednesday as Rimouski was defeated by Saint John 6-4 in game #3 of the QMJHL President's Cup final. The big-shooting righty drilled a power play shot eleven minutes in to tie the game 1-1 heading into the first intermission. Leduc would later add a helper with the Sea Dogs firmly in control of the contest. After a regular season that saw him lead all QMJHL defensemen with 28 goals and 74 points, the 6'1 defender has struck another nine times this postseason to go along with 10 assists in 20 games. The multi-point effort was his first since the first round, a span of over a month.

The Oceanic now find themselves in a 3-0 series hole with Leduc facing the prospects of playing his final junior game Thursday in Rimouski.



Steven Shipley recorded an assist as Niagara couldn't overcome an early three-goal hole en route to a 4-1 loss to London in game #4 of the OHL Championship. The 6'3 center, who has collected five goals and nine points in 19 postseason games, helped get the IceDogs on the board at 6:23 of the third by driving the net and pushing the puck past London goaltender Michael Houser to a crashing Myles Doan for his second helper in as many games. Houser, the OHL's Player of the Year and attendee at Buffalo's 2011 development camp, made 36 stops to earn the game's #1 star. Talented Finnish defenseman Olli Maatta ('12) was injured late in the game when he was taken out along the boards in the Knights zone.

Trailing the series 3-1, Niagara faces elimination for the first time this postseason as the series shifts back to London for Friday's game #5.



Tuesday, May 8, 2012

5/7 Recap: Dogs downed; Oil Kings in unfamiliar hole

Steven Shipley recorded an assist Tuesday as Niagara was defeated by London 3-2 in game #3 of the OHL Championship. The 6'3 center's work around the net while on an second period power play gives him eight points in 18 playoff games. Shipley was also called for tripping with less than two minutes to play as the Dogs looked to tie the game.

Shortly before the Shipley call, a pair of London's 2012 draft eligibles combined for the game winning goal with 3:28 left in regulation as Chris Tierney won a faceoff draw back to Olli Maatta, who in turn rifled a heavy slapper that was tipped in the slot by Tierney for his fourth of the postseason. Maatta, a surefire first-round pick next month, has accumulated an impressive six goals and 21 points in 17 playoff games for the Knights. Niagara heads home for Wednesday's game #4 trailing the series 2-1.



In Sunday action, Mark Pysyk finished with an even rating as Edmonton's three-goal third period rally fell short in a 4-3 loss to Portland. Brendan Leipsic ('12) interrupted the Oil Kings' charge by scoring his second consecutive game winner at 4:37 of the third. Trailing the best-of-seven championship 2-1, the Oil Kings are now behind in a series for the first time this postseason heading into Wednesday's game #4.

With Shipley's IceDogs amd Pysyk's Oil Kings trailing their series 2-1, and Jerome Gauthier-Leduc's Rimouski Oceanic in a 2-0 hole against Saint John in the QMJHL final, the Sabres are in danger of not having a drafted prospect participate in the Memorial Cup for the first time since 2007. Tyler Ennis played for Medicine Hat in the '07 tourney but wasn't draft eligible until 2008.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

5/5 Recap: Leduc adds a point in Nics loss

Two of the three CHL Championship series continued on Saturday, with two Sabres prospects seeing their teams takes losses.

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc (+1) earned a late assist with a good first pass as Rimouski was edged by Saint John, 3-2. The QMJHL's leading defensive scorer with eight goals and 17 points, Leduc also contributed three shots on goal in the loss. Charlie Coyle (MIN) scored the winner on a penalty shot for his 15th goal in as many playoff games. The Oceanic head home for Wednesday's game #3 trailing the President's Cup final 2-0.



Steven Shipley went without a point for the fifth straight game as Niagara was defeated by London 5-3 in game #2 of the OHL Championship. The third-line center has been good at the dot and has gotten in front of several shots despite recording just one assist in his last 13 games. Ryan Rupert ('12) paced the Knights with a hat trick, while overager Andrew Agozzino notched all three IceDogs goals in defeat. The clubs head back to London for Monday's game #3 with the series tied at one game apiece.

Friday, May 4, 2012

5/3 Recap: Pysyk stars, Shipley solid as teams take openers

Mark Pysyk was named the game's #1 star Thursday as Edmonton opened the 2012 WHL Championship series with a 3-2 win over Portland. The 6'2 captain saw his seeing-eye wrister get through traffic before getting tipped on its way into the Winterhawks cage at 1:25 of the opening period to quickly get the Oil Kings moving in the right direction after a six-day layoff. Pysyk, who along with partner Keegan Lowe (CAR), were set to match-up with the Winterhawks' potent top-line featuring Ty Rattie (STL) and Sven Bartschi (CAL), but the former was wiped out along the boards early on and did not return. The teams will regroup on Friday at Rexall for game #2 with the Oil Kings holding a 1-0 lead.



In the OHL, Steven Shipley played even as Niagara got a goal from Dougie Hamilton (BOS) at 9:03 of the second overtime to secure a 3-2 win over London in game #1 of the OHL Championship. The IceDogs' third line of Shipley at center along with Brett Ritchie (DAL) and Mitchell Theoret (NYI) produced the game's first goal at 4:01 of the opening frame. The 6'3 center, who has emerged as one of the better faceoff men in the entire OHL, was on the ice for several key draws late in regulation and OT. After taking a 1-0 series advantage on the road, the IceDogs will welcome the Knights to their barn in St. Catharines for Saturday's game #2.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

4/27 Recap: Pysyk, Shipley advance; Leduc lights lamp

Mark Pysyk recorded an assist Friday as Edmonton won the WHL Eastern Conference final with a 4-1 win over Moose Jaw. Following the game, the captain opted to honor the superstition of not touching the conference trophy as part of their preparation for what should be an amazing championship battle with the Portland Winterhawks. Pysyk, who has seven points (2+5) and a +6 rating through 13 playoff games, will now draw the assignment of shutting down a Ty Rattie-Sven Bartschi combo that has combined for 54 points in 15 games. The series opens next Thursday in Edmonton.

Steven Shipley went without a point as Niagara captured their first Bobby Orr Trophy as OHL Eastern Eastern Conference champions with a 3-2 game five win over Ottawa. The 6'3 center has posted just one assist in his last 11 games while showing upped intensity and third-line checking value. The IceDogs, who skated the trophy around the ice for the home fans, move on to face the London Knights for the rights to represent the Ontario Hockey League at the 2012 Memorial Cup.

Elsewhere, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc scored his eighth goal of the playoffs as Rimouski inched their way closer to a berth in the QMJHL final with a 9-0 shellacking of Halifax. The power play mark was Leduc's 15th point in 16 games. His eight goals are three more than any other Canadian junior blueliner this postseason. Holding the 3-2 series lead, the Oceanic will need the momentum of the blowout win when they skate into Halifax for Sunday's game six.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

4/23 Recap: Amerks swept

The Rochester Americans saw their season come to an end Monday as the Toronto Marlies swept them from the first round of the AHL playoffs with a 3-0 shutout. The Marlies were able to get a goal in the first five minutes of each period, disappointing the over 7,000 fans who packed it in to the Blue Cross Arena.

The Amerks had trouble sustaining offense throughout despite firing 29 shots on Ben Scrivens, including 15 in the middle frame. Former RPI and Team USA junior star Jerry D'Amigo emerged as an Amerks killer, finding the net five times in the three-game sweep. For the last time this season, we'll turn it over to Kevin Oklobzija's Rochester D&C game story for the rest:

“They had a group of guys who bought into the team goals.”

The Amerks were all about team, too. Their team just wasn’t as deep, quick or talented from first line to fourth line.

“Every guy that put on the Americans sweater gave it their all,” captain Colin Stuart said. “We weren’t happy just making the playoffs so it’s still a tough pill to swallow.

The American Hockey League record book will forever show the Amerks lost all three games of the only playoff series they played this spring. Yet in reality, they had already won at least one round just by getting into the Calder Cup playoffs.

With 12 days to go in the regular season, they sat 12th in the Western Conference. Only the top eight teams get invited to the post-season party. The Amerks finished seventh.


Mike Ryan returned to the Amerks lineup for the first time in over two months, while Alex Biega did not play after being suspended for boarding Greg Scott at the end of game 2 on Saturday. David Leggio made 23 saves in his 26th consecutive start.

The Rundown:
Foligno: -2
McNabb: -1, 2 SOG
Brennan: -1, 4 SOG
Adam: 2 SOG
Tropp: -1, 3 SOG
Varone: 1 SOG
Crawford: 1 SOG

***

In the OHL, Steven Shipley finished +2 as Niagara downed Ottawa 5-2 in game #3 of the OHL Eastern Conference Final. Shipley's line with David Pacan (#2 star) and Mitchell Theoret (#1 star) provided a spark all evening for the Dogs, who take a 2-1 series lead into Wednesday's game #4. Niagara goalie Mark Visentin scored the game's final goal into the empty net with a accurate shot form the other end of the rink.

With the Amerks bounced, Shipley, Mark Pysyk, and Jerome Gauthier-Leduc remain as the only Sabres prospects left in action in the 2011-12 season.

Monday, April 23, 2012

4/22 Recap: Ship assists; Oil Kings keep rolling

In Sunday action, Steven Shipley snapped a seven-game point drought with an assist as Niagara couldn't overcome an early four-goal deficit en route to a 7-4 loss to Ottawa. While on a second period power play, the 6'3 Shipley (10 black) planted himself at the edge of the paint and nudged the puck to Dougie Hamilton, who ripped a shot to cut it to a 4-3 deficit. Sean Monahan ('13) had a goal and two assists for the 67's, while defenseman Cody Ceci ('12) added a goal and an assist. The clubs will travel to Ottawa and go right back at it Monday with the series locked at one game each.




In game #2 of the WHL Eastern Conference final, Mark Pysyk logged the usual big minutes but did not factor into the scoring as Edmonton rolled past Moose Jaw, 6-1. The Oil Kings, who defeated the Warriors by an identical score in Friday's opener, extend their winning streak to 21 games dating back to the end of the regular season. The series will shift to Moose Jaw for games three and four on Tuesday and Wednesday.