3/23 Recap: Shipley pots pair; Knapp's season complete

Steven Shipley scored a pair of third period goals Friday to earn the game's #3 star as Niagara dismantled Oshawa 6-1 in game #2 of the OHL Eastern Conference quarterfinal. The two-goal outing was Shipley's first in 20 career playoff games while the multi-point effort was his second. The victory gives the IceDogs a 2-0 series lead heading into Sunday's game #3.

In QMJHL action, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc scored on the power play as Rimouski opened the playoffs with an 8-5 win over Val-d'Or. Foreurs captain Cedrick Henley recorded an assist and a game-high five hits in defeat. The Nics will look to take a 2-0 series lead on Saturday.



In the NCAA East Region semifinal, Connor Knapp made 26 saves in his final game as a collegian as Miami was defeated by Lowell 4-3 in overtime.

Knapp started slowly, getting beat just 1:34 into the game when a shot rang off the crossbar behind him and then went off a crashing player before going over the goal line. Later in the period, a turnover at the Lowell blueline led to Knapp getting beat five-hole on the ensuing breakaway for a shorthanded goal against.

Trailing 3-0 entering the third, the RedHawks scored two goals in 14 seconds early on before completing the comeback midway through the frame to force the OT. However, Lowell ended it quickly by tipping a rebound over Knapp's arm at 2:13 of the extra session to end the RedHawks year.

The 6'6 netminder finishes the season 15-8 with a 1.69 goals against average, a .933 save percentage, and five shutouts. He amassed 46 wins in his four years in Oxford, while setting a Miami record with 13 shutouts.

Elsewhere, Nathan Lieuwen made 25 saves as Kootenay was blanked by Edmonton 3-0 in game #1 of the WHL Western Conference quarterfinal. Mark Pysyk finished +1 for the Oil Kings. The two clubs will continue the series on Sunday.

Kevin Sundher finished even as Brandon was shut out by Calgary, 4-0. Sundher, who was playing his second game after missing 13 of the previous 14 with a concussion, took a five minute rest after trading punches with 17-year old Chase Clayton early in the middle period. After combining for 80 minutes in penalties, the two clubs will unlock their 1-1 series on Sunday.



In the OHL, Gregg Sutch did not return for the third period after getting into a scrap with Trevor Carrick as Barrie was pounded 4-0 by Mississauga in game #2 of their first round series. Sutch, who earlier this season tuned up Leafs prospect Stuart Percy, tried to get his former Majors teammate to go another round before Carrick stepped in to take on the crash-and-banger. Alex Lepkowski finished even on the Colts blueline. The series heads back to Barrie for Monday's game #3.



Dan Catenacci finished -1 as Owen Sound lost to Kitchener 6-2 in game #1 of their OHL Western Conference series. The Attack will look to even the series in Saturday's game #2.

In the AHL, Colin Stuart scored two goals and Maxime Legault added a single as Rochester dropped a 4-3 overtime decision to Binghamton. David Leggio made 33 saves to fall to 23-18-2

Recently inked Phil Varone notched an assist for the Amerks, giving him 39 points in his last 42 games.

The Rundown:
Varone: A
Crawford: A
Adam: A
Biega: A
Szydlowski: even
Lagace: even
McNabb:-2
Brennan: +2
Persson:

Veteran blueliner Dennis Persson skated as a forward while Corey Tropp, Travis Turnbull, and Marcus Foligno continued their tour of duty with the surging Sabres. The Amerks were also playing without Matt MacKenzie, who on Thursday was assigned to Gwinnett of the ECHL.

Next up for the Amerks is a Saturday night tilt with Syracuse.

***

In Friday ECHL play, MacKenzie notched an assist as Gwinnett edged Greenville 3-2 in a shootout. Jonathan Parker did not factor in regulation and missed in his shootout attempt. Riley Boychuk was even with a roughing minor in the win.

3/22 Recap: Junior playoffs begin; Sundher returns

In Thursday's opening night of the CHL playoffs, Steven Shipley pocketed a power play assist as Niagara rolled Oshawa, 8-2. The IceDogs cruised to a five-goal lead after the opening period en route to taking a 1-0 advantage in their OHL Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. The puck drops on game #2 Friday night in Ottawa.



Gregg Sutch notched an empty net assist as Barrie opened the 2012 OHL playoffs with a 3-1 win over Mississauga. Sutch's hustle play along the boards got him his first post-season point in nearly two years. Alex Lepkowski finished +1 on the Colts blueline. The clubs will reconvene Friday for game #2.

In the WHL, Kevin Sundher logged a +2 in his return to the lineup as Brandon throttled Calgary 6-2 to take a key road win in their WHL first-round opener. Sundher had missed 13 of the final 14 games for the Wheat Kings with a concussion. The teams will remain in Calgary for Friday's game #2 before heading to Manitoba for games three through five.

Joel Armia was -2 with three shots on goal as Assat lost game #1 of their opening round playoff series to JYP, 4-1. It was a sub-par performance for the 18-year old sniper, who scored two goals in five playoff games a season ago. The teams will travel back to Pori for Saturday's game #2.

***

On Wednesday, Brayden McNabb, Nick Crawford, and Shaone Morrisonn scored regulation goals while David Leggio made 40 saves as Rochester was defeated by Syracuse 4-3 in a shootout. The Amerks are now 8-2-1 in their last 11 games with a Friday night tilt with Binghamton up next.

McNabb: G, +2
Crawford: G, +2
Adam: 3 SOG
Lagace: -1
Szydlowski: -1
Brennan: -2, 4 SOG
Biega: even

Prospects set for second season

It’s the first day of Spring, meaning things are about to get a little more interesting for some Sabres prospects. The CHL playoffs kick off on Thursday while the puck drops on the NCAA tourney a day later. And hey, that Armia kid will be looking to put together a playoff run, too.

***

The Sabres pair of QMJHL prospects, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc of the Rimouski Oceanic and Cedrick Henley of the Val-d’Or Foreurs, will square off in the first round beginning Friday. Leduc, a finalist for the QMJHL Defenseman of the Year, led all Canadian junior defensemen this season with 28 goals while tying for the CHL lead with 74 points. Henley captained the Foreurs to a second place finish in the Telus East Division.

The Niagara IceDogs earned the top seed in the OHL’s Eastern Conference, creating a matchup with 8th place Oshawa. Dogs forward Steven Shipley, who was a point-per-game player over the final 20 games, will look to continue his late season pace on a line with David Pacan and Mitchell Theoret.

Dan Catenacci will be front-and-center for the defending OHL champion Owen Sound Attack as they travel to Kitchener for Friday’s game #1. The Attack will be playing without captain and leading scorer Mike Halmo, who was suspended 10 games in the final week of the regular season after lambasting Nail Yakupov with an open-ice headshot.

With star forward Tanner Pearson out with a broken leg suffered in the final game of the regular season, grinding wing Gregg Sutch, who was bumped down the lineup for most of the year, could see an elevated role for the Barrie Colts in their first round battle with Mississauga. West Seneca native Alex Lepkowski will be counted on to set a physical tone while earning big minutes on the Barrie blueline.

Out west, Edmonton captain and World Junior participant Mark Pysyk will lead the #1 seed Oil Kings into battle against the defending league champs, the Kootenay ICE. The ICE won’t have Brayden McNabb playing 30 minutes a night this go-round, but will again be backstopped by reigning playoff MVP Nathan Lieuwen, who enters the postseason with just three wins in his last 13 starts.

The Brandon Wheat Kings are hoping to have their key deadline acquisition, Kevin Sundher, back in the lineup when they begin their first round series with Calgary on Thursday. The speedy six-footer accumulated 64 points in 40 games with Victoria prior to being dealt, but has played just once after suffering a concussion on Valentine’s Day.

In other Thursday action, Joel Armia and Assat will begin their best-of-seven first round series with JYP. The 18-year old scored 18 goals for the second consecutive season, including a impressive 10 goals and 20 points in 21 games upon returning from the World Junior Championship.

After leading the NCAA with a 1.59 goals against average, Connor Knapp will lead Miami (#2 seed in the East Region) into Friday's NCAA tourney matchup with #3 Lowell. Knapp has been the most dominant netminder in all of college hockey since January 1st, compiling an 11-3 mark while allowing three or more goals just twice along the way.

In the West bracket, Brad Eidsness is expected to serve as back-up when #1 seed North Dakota battles #4 Western Michigan. On the other side, #2 Minnesota will take on Boston University. Gophers forward Christian Isackson will likely be a scratch as he has been for the last nine games.

***

Colin Jacobs and the Seattle Thunderbirds missed the WHL playoffs by two points but on Wednesday were awarded the first overall pick in the WHL bantam draft lottery. Justin Jokinen (Minnesota St.), Drew MacKenzie (Vermont), Brad Navin (Wisconsin), and Mark Adams (Providence) all saw their seasons end with losses in their respective conference tourneys.

3/18 Recap: Jacobs points as T-Birds bounced

Colin Jacobs picked up an assist as Seattle failed to make the playoffs with a 8-2 loss to Portland on the final day of the WHL regular season. The 6'1 center finishes the year with nine goals and 19 points after missing the first 26 games of the year due to a shoulder injury.

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc logged a -3 as Rimouski was blanked by Victoriaville, 4-0. The right-handed defender ends the season as the leading scorer among QMJHL defensemen with 28 goals and 74 points, two ahead of the 72 posted by Brayden McNabb in Kootenay a season ago.

Steven Shipley did not factor as Niagara ended the regular season with a 2-0 win over Mississauga. The 6'3 forward finishes the year with 48 points, two fewer than the 50mhe put up last year, and 15 fewer than the 63 scored in his draft year.

We'll have more on the playoff matchups later.

3/17 Recap: Shipley tunes up as Dogs eye run

Steven Shipley scored a goal and two assists Saturday as Niagara hammered Ottawa, 7-3. The 6'3 center is coming on of late on a line with Mitchell Theoret and David Pacan, scoring six goal and 10 points in his last seven games. After finishing the regular season on Sunday with a trip to Mississauga, the top-seeded IceDogs will open the 2012 playoffs on Thursday versus Oshawa.



Dan Catenacci snapped a five-game funk with a faceoff win assist as Owen Sound lost to Guelph, 3-1. With the pair of weekend losses to the Storm, the Attack slip to a 6th place finish in the OHL Western Conference. Owen Sound will be without leading scorer Mike Halmo (suspension) for the entire first round playoff match-up with Kitchener, meaning that Catenacci, who finished the regular season with 33 goals and 72 points, will need to step it up if the Attack is to defend their league crown.



Cedrick Henley recorded an assist as Val-d'Or defeated Baie-Comeau, 7-4. The 6'5 power forward finishes the regular season as Val-d'Or's seventh leading scorer, posting a career-best 13 goals and 39 points in 53 games. The Foreurs will wait for the outcome of Sunday action to learn where they'll be traveling for the first round of the QMJHL playoffs.

Gregg Sutch and Alex Lepkowski did not factor as Barrie was rolled by Brampton, 5-2. Sutch was stung late when he blocked a shot but should be good to go next week when the Colts begin the playoffs at home versus Mississauga.

Colin Jacobs logged a -1 as Seattle lost to Everett, 6-4. The Thunderbirds will now face a must-win situation on Sunday when they battle Portland in the final game of the regular season. Currently two points out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, a Seattle victory will force a one-game tiebreaker with Everett on Tuesday.

Mark Pysyk finished +1 as Edmonton finished the regular season with a 7-3 win over Red Deer. The Oil Kings, who enter the WHL playoffs as the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference, will face defending league champion Kootenay in the first round. The first two games will be played at Rexall on Friday and Sunday.

Nathan Lieuwen made 14 saves as Kootenay was blanked by Calgary, 3-0. The ICE 2011-12 co-MVP, Lieuwen finishes the regular season with 27 wins (11th in WHL), a 2.50 goals against average (3rd) and .914 save percentage (5th).

Brad Eidsness backed up as North Dakota reeled off their seventh straight win to claim the WCHA Final Five Championship with a 4-0 shutout win over Denver. The Sioux victory gives them the automatic bid into the NCAA brackets. Their opponent will be announced Sunday at noon.

Kevin Sundher did not play as Brandon closed out the regular season with a 7-2 win over Regina. The Wheat Kings, who finish as the #6 seed in the WHL Eastern Conference, will hope to have the speedy center back on Thursday when they begin their opening round playoff series at Calgary.

***

In AHL play, blueliners T.J. Brennan (14th) and Nick Crawford (4th) added regulation goals and Paul Szczechura scored in overtime as Rochester edged Binghamton, 4-3.

Travis Turnbull also scored for the Amerks while David Leggio made 33 stops for his fifth win in his last six starts.

The Rundown:
Brennan: G, +1, 6 SOG
Crawford: G, +1, 2 SOG
Lagace: 2 SOG
Adam: -1, 4 SOG
Biega: +1, 2 SOG
Szydlowski: +1

On Friday, Orchard Park native Nick Schaus scored a late power play goal to give Syracuse a 4-3 win over the Amerks. Szczechura and fellow vets Colin Stuart and Evan Rankin provided the Rochester marks, while Phil Varone added two assists.

The Rundown:
Brennan: A, -3, 5 PIM
Biega: A,
Adam: A, 4 SOG
Lagace: 2 PIM
Crawford: +1
Szydlowski: even

Winners of eight of their last 10, the Amerks welcome Syracuse to the BCA for mid-week tilt on Wednesday.

***

In Texas, Drew Schiestel recorded an assist as Texas dropped both ends of a Friday/Saturday set to Oklahoma City. Schiestel has four assists and a +1 rating in six games since being re-assigned to the Stars top affiliate.

***

In the Coast League, Corey Fienhage picked up a pair of assists and Jonathan Parker chipped in a helper as Gwinnett held on for a 4-3 win over Greenville. Riley Boychuk recorded two shots on net in the win.

Since we haven't fed the savages in a while, here's a clip of Boychuk refining his pugilistic skills last weekend against the Road Warriors.

3/15 Recap: Shipley connects; Sioux move on

In Thursday play, Steven Shipley scored a goal and an assist as Niagara clinched the top spot in the OHL's Eastern Conference playoffs with a 8-1 romp over Peterborough. The 6'3 forward has connected for 11 multi-point games this season versus 33 zero-point efforts. His 45 points (21+24) rank 7th on the IceDogs with two weekend games left on the regular season schedule.

Joel Armia posted six shots on goal in 15:43 of work as Assat skated to a 5-1 win over TPS. The 6'3 wing closes the regular season with 18 goals and 38 points in 54 games. The Aces will open their first round playoff series with JYP on Thursday.

Brad Eidsness served as back-up as North Dakota defeated St. Cloud State 4-1 to advance to the WCHA Final Five semifinal. The Sioux will battle rival Minnesota on Friday in what should be an intense, physical affair.

On Wednesday, Mark Pysyk picked up three penalties (two for roughing and another for boarding) as Edmonton earned a 5-4 overtime win over Kootenay. Nathan Lieuwen, who has won just three of his last 11 starts, finished with 27 saves for the ICE.

Kevin Sundher remained out of action as Brandon lost to Moose Jaw, 3-2. The Wheat Kings are hoping to have the speedy center available when the playoffs begin next weekend.

3/13 Recap: Calm before playoff storm

Colin Jacobs recorded an assist Tuesday as Seattle earned a win over Spokane. The 6'1 center has no goals and two assists in his last 11 games. The 11-game goalless drought is the second longest of his WHL career. He went 23 games without a tally as a rookie back in 2009-10.

In Finland, Joel Armia punched four shots on goal in 18:12 of work as Assat lost to Karpat, 3-2. The Aces will wrap up the regular season on Thursday at home versus TPS. Talented 2012 draft prospect Ville Pokka skated over 23-minutes on the Karpat blueline.

Alex Lepkowski tied a career high with a +3 rating as Barrie defeated Sudbury 5-4 in a shootout. Gregg Sutch missed his second game in a row for maintenance purposes.

On Sunday, Steven Shipley was +1 in Niagara's 5-2 win over Kingston. The #1 team in the OHL's Eastern Conference, the IceDogs have won eight of their last 10 with their final three games set for Thursday through Sunday.

Cedrick Henley was +2 with an assist as Val-d'Or came up short against Rouyn-Noranda, 3-2. The 6'5 project has 13 goals, 38 points, and 86 PIM this season - all career highs.

Dan Catenacci was whistled for a slashing minor as Owen Sound was beaten by Plymouth, 4-3. After ripping off 23 points in 16 games, Catenacci has come away empty in his last four.

Jacobs was -1 in Seattle's 3-2 overtime win over Everett. Branden Troock ('12) notched his 13th of the year in the win.

Brad Navin contributed two shots on goal as Wisconsin was eliminated from the WCHA tourney with a 3-2 overtime loss at Denver. Navin ends his freshman campaign with three goals and three assists in 36 games while spending the majority of his time on the Badgers' fourth forward unit.

Mark Adams did not play (concussion) as Providence advanced to the Hockey East semis with a 1-0 win over Lowell. The Friars will take on #1 Boston College on Friday.

3/9 Recap: Knapp sets mark; Armia chips in

Connor Knapp made 27 saves Friday for his fifth shutout of the year and third in his last five starts as #11 Miami cruised to a 6-0 win over #15 Michigan State. The 6'6 senior improves to 14-6 on the year with a 1.45 goals against average (1st in nation) and .942 save percentage (2nd). The shutout, Knapp's 13th of his career, sets a new record for the storied RedHawks program. Miami will look to sweep the Spartans when they play game #2 of their CCHA quarterfinal matchup on Saturday.

In Finland, Joel Armia continued his strong season finish with a one goal, one assist performance to help Assat to a 4-0 victory over Jokerit. The 6'3 wing earned 21:33 of ice time (his second 20+ minute performance in the past two weeks) en route to posting his eighth multi-point game of the year. Armia has now collected 10 goals and 10 assists in 20 games since returning from the World Junior Championship. His 18 goals equals his output from a season ago.



In Quebec league play, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc gathered a goal and an assist as Rimouski downed Shawinigan, 5-3. The power play points give the defender 27-45-72 with just three games to go.

Nathan Lieuwen stopped everything thrown at him for 55-minutes before allowing three goals in the final five as Kootenay was toppled by Medicine Hat, 3-1. The ICE remain locked in the 5th spot in the WHL's Eastern Conference with four games left to play.

Mark Pysyk recorded an assist for the second straight game as Edmonton took out Eastern Division leader Red Deer, 5-2. With the win, the Oil Kings clinched the first overall spot in the Eastern Conference.

Dan Catenacci (-1) went without a point for the second straight game as Owen Sound edged Saginaw, 4-3. Attack forward Gemel Smith ('12) posted three assists to earn the game's #1 star.

Steven Shipley was held off the scoresheet as Niagara defeated Ottawa, 5-1. The victory gives the IceDogs their first Central Division title since moving to St. Catherines.

Cedrick Henley (-2) contributed six shots on goal as Val-d'Or earned an exciting 6-5 win over Gatineau. Foreurs forward Anthony Mantha ('13), whose 9/16 birth date misses the cutoff for the 2012 draft by one day, continued to impress with two goals and two assists.

Kevin Sundher remained out of the lineup as Brandon was hammered by Saskatoon, 6-2. The center has played in just one game since getting his bell rung back on Valentine's Day.

Brad Navin was even as Wisconsin took a 1-0 decision at #9 Denver. A win over the Pioneers on Saturday would thrust the Badgers into next weekend's WCHA Final Five.

Justin Jokinen posted a shot on goal as Mankato lost to #3 Duluth, 4-2. The Mavericks will look to stave off elimination on Saturday when they rematch with the defending national champs.

Brad Eidsness served as backup in #12 North Dakota's 4-1 win over Bemidji State. The Sioux will go for their 10th consecutive WCHA playoff victory on Saturday.

Mark Adams missed his seventh game with a concussion as Providence dropped a 3-2 overtime decision at #7 Lowell. With the Friars taking Thursday's opener by a 5-3 count, the two clubs will play a rubber match on Sunday afternoon to decide the first round playoff series.

Christian Isackson was scratched for the seventh straight game as #5 Minnesota defeated Alaska-Anchorage, 2-1.

***

In the AHL, Luke Adam scored the game-winning goal late in the middle frame as Rochester earned a 3-1 win over Binghamton. The marker gives Adam two goals and seven points in 11 games since being sent down by the Sabres.

Matt MacKenzie assisted on the winner, while veterans Paul Szczechura and Derek Whitmore supplied the other Amerks goals. David Leggio made 35 stops for his 21st win of the year.

The Rundown:
Adam: GWG, +1, 5 SOG
MacKenzie: A, +1
Crawford: A, +1
Brennan: +1, 2 SOG
Biega: 2 SOG
McNabb: SOG
Szydlowski: even

3/7-8 Recap: Lieuwen eyes 30; Sundher issue lingers

In Wednesday action, Nathan Lieuwen made 21 saves as Kootenay edged Medicine Hat, 2-1. The game's #3 star, Lieuwen lowered his league-leading goals against average to 2.37 in the win. The 6'5 netminder sits with 27 wins with five games left on the regular season slate - including two sets of back-to-backs.

Mark Pysyk picked up an assist as Edmonton defeated Moose Jaw 3-2 in overtime. The steady 6'2 defender is +44 in his last 115 WHL games, with the bulk of his time spent against the opposition's #1 forward unit.

Kevin Sundher, who has not practiced all week due to lingering effects from a concussion, was scratched for a second straight game in Brandon's 5-2 win over Regina. Sundher had returned for one game after missing the previous six.

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc finished -2 with three shots on goal as Rimouski lost at Chicoutimi, 5-3. The QMJHL's leading defensive point getter has scored twice in his last dozen games (both goals were in the same game).

Dan Catenacci (-2) was unable to crack the scoresheet as Owen Sound was toppled by Barrie, 6-2. Gregg Sutch (4 PIM) and Alex Lepkowski also had quiet offensive nights on the winning side.

On Thursday, Lepkowski and Sutch were again held without points as Barrie smoked Sudbury, 7-0. The Colts have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games.

Steven Shipley was -1 as Niagara was blanked by Mississauga, 2-0. The 6'3 forward sits with 20 goals and 43 points with five games left on the schedule.