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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
Mark Pysyk scored his sixth goal of the year Friday as Edmonton earned their 10th straight victory over Medicine Hat, 4-2. Pysyk now has points in four of his last five games. With a win Sunday, the Oil Kings will clinch the top overall spot in the WHL.
Connor Knapp allowed four goals on 19 shots before getting pulled midway through the second period as Miami was defeated by Western Michigan 6-2 in the CCHA semifinal. Knapp, who was named Best Goaltender at Thursday's CCHA Awards, had allowed four total goals in his previous eight games entering the matchup. The RedHawks will now wait for Sunday's NCAA Tourney Selection Show to learn where and when they'll continue their year.
Gregg Sutch assisted on the game's first goal as Barrie lost to Mississauga in overtime, 4-3. The helper was Sutch's first point since February 9th, ending a 14-game drought for the grinding forward. Alex Lepkowski logged a -3 in defeat.
Jerome Gauthier-Leduc snagged a late power play assist as Rimouski skated to a 7-4 win over Chicoutimi. The mobile defender has collected points in three straight to raise his season total to 74 (28+46).
Brad Eidsness watched from the bench as North Dakota scored six unanswered goals en route to a stunning 6-3 win over Minnesota. The Sioux, who tied a WCHA record with their 12 straight playoff victory, will square off with Denver for the automatic NCAA tourney bid.
Cedrick Henley finished -1 with a game-high five hits as Baie-Comeau was doubled by Chicoutimi, 8-4. Raphael Bussieres ('12) scored a goal and an assist for the winning side.
Dan Catenacci failed to get a point for the fifth straight game as Owen Sound was blanked by Guelph, 5-0. Storm forward Scott Kosmachuk ('12) scored a goal and an assist.
Nathan Lieuwen allowed two goals in the final minute of regulation and then another in the overtime as Kootenay stumbled to a 6-5 home loss to Calgary. The hottest goaltender in junior hockey at this point a season ago, Lieuwen has won just three of his last dozen starts.
Colin Jacobs tied the game with his ninth goal of the year then set-up former d-camp invite Burke Gallimore for the game winner as Seattle edged Spokane, 4-3. Jacobs' tally snapped an 11-game goal drought.
Kevin Sundher did not play in Brandon's 2-1 win over Regina. Sundher (concussion) has played in just one of the Wheat Kings last 13 games.
Mark Adams watched as Providence saw their season come to an end with a 4-2 loss to #1 Boston College in the Hockey East semifinal. The 6'3 sophomore missed the final nine games after suffering a concussion in a game against Northeastern back on 2/17.
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.
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.
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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
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.
Jerome Gauthier-Leduc picked up a pair of power play assists Friday as Rimouski delivered a 4-1 loss to Cape Breton. The productive defender, who now has 2+2 in his last two outings, now ranks 17th in QMJHL scoring with 69 points (26+43) with a half dozen games remaining.
Cedrick Henley earned an assist and a game-high eight hits as Val-d'Or defeated Victoriaville 3-2 in a shootout. The 6'5 forward has nine points in his last eight games.
In WHL play, Kevin Sundher notched a power play assist in his return from a six-game absence as Brandon rolled past Lethbridge, 6-2. The Wheat Kings have now won seven straight.
Colin Jacobs finished -1 as Seattle was blanked by Everett, 4-0. The 6'1 center has skated without a point in five straight games.
In NCAA action, Drew MacKenzie was -2 in Vermont's 5-1 loss at #1 Boston College. The senior defenseman will play his final game for the Catamounts on Saturday.
Brad Navin recorded a shot on goal as Wisconsin downed rival #4 Minnesota, 4-1. The Badgers will go for their fifth straight win when the teams conclude the WCHA set on Saturday. Gopher freshman Christian Isackson was scratched for the fifth straight game.
Justin Jokinen finished +1 as Minnesota State dropped a 4-2 decision at North Dakota. Brad Eidsness served as backup for the Sioux. The two clubs will rematch on Saturday to finish the WCHA regular season.
Mark Adams remained sidelined as Providence was defeated by Lowell, 5-1. Despite the loss, the Friars clinch their first Hockey East Tournament spot since 2008. The two clubs will conclude the regular season slate on Saturday.
Connor Knapp racked up his fifth straight win Saturday, making 22 saves as Miami earned the weekend sweep with a 5-1 victory at Ohio State. The 6'6 senior has now won 12 of his last 14 starts while allowing one goal or less in 11 of those decisions. Knapp finishes the regular season leading the nation in goals against average (1.53) while ranking second in save percentage (.939). The RedHawks will get a week off before taking on Michigan State in a CCHA quarterfinal matchup.
In the QMJHL, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc scored a pair of goals as Rimouski defeated Baie-Comeau, 7-4. Leduc's first multi-goal effort since December 2nd (27 games) increases his season point total to 67, which is 12 more than any other QMJHL defenseman. With 26 goals on the year, Leduc has now set a new single-season high for defensive prospects drafted by the Darcy Regier regime (going back to 1997).
The 6'1 righty has seven games left in his quest to hit the 30-goal mark. The Nics are now off until Friday when they host Cape Breton.
Dan Catenacci scored his 31st goal of the year on the power play as Owen Sound smoked Kitchener, 7-1. The speedy center, who also added a helper in the rout, has collected 11 goals and 10 assists in his last 14 games to jump up to 14th in OHL scoring with 69 points. The Attack return to action Wednesday versus Barrie.
Nathan Lieuwen made 25 saves as Kootenay came away with a 5-4 overtime victory at Prince Albert. The victory, which snaps a personal four-game skid, was the 83rd of hiss career, setting the ICE all-time franchise record for goaltender wins. There's still some room to improve though, as the 6'5 stopper has allowed three or more goals in four of his last five games. The ICE will head home to prepare for Wednesday's battle with Eastern Conference leaders, Edmonton.
Fourth-line forward Brad Navin slammed home a rebound for his third goal of the year and contributed a team-high five shots on net as Wisconsin ended the regular season with a 4-2 win over Bemidji State. The Badgers will begin the WCHA playoffs next weekend with a road set at Minnesota.
Cedrick Henley scored his 12th goal of the year as Val-d'Or drilled PEI, 7-3. The 20-year old forward has scored three times in his last 15 games. Les Foreurs go right back at it on Sunday when they welcome Drummondville to town.
In SM-liiga action, Joel Armia picked up an assist as Assat lost to HIFK, 4-1. Playing the point on the power play, Armia's one-timer deflected right to teammate Mark Lee for the Aces only goal. The helper bumps the 18-year old up to 34 points (16+18) through 47 games. A sign of a growing all-around player, the 6'3 wing earned a season-high in icetime for a second straight game by capturing 21:55 of work. Assat travels to JYP on Tuesday.
Drew MacKenzie collected an assist in the final home game of his career as Vermont suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime loss to #5 Boston University. The Catamounts took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission and held the lead all the way until the 59th minute when Wade Megan's 17th of the year tied it up for the Terriers. Vermont (6-25-1) closes out the regular season next weekend with a nationally televised set at Boston College.
Brad Eidsness stopped 19 of 23 shots in two periods of work as North Dakota was dominated in the middle frame en route to a 5-3 loss at Denver. The senior, who was making his fifth straight start, was replaced by Aaron Dell to start the third period. The Fighting Sioux will host Minnesota State next weekend in the first round of the WCHA playoffs.
Colin Jacobs finished +1 as Seattle shut out Everett, 3-0. The T-Birds will play the front end of home-and-home with Tri-City on Sunday.
Gregg Sutch and Alex Lepkowski were both held off the scoresheet as Barrie was defeated by Mississauga, 2-1. Majors defenseman Trevor Carrick ('12) scored his third of the year.
Kevin Sundher missed his sixth game with a concussion as Brandon edged Regina, 2-1. The Wheat Kings are 6-0 without the services of their prize deadline acquisition.
Mark Adams did not play (concussion) as Providence got hammered by Boston College, 7-0. The sophomore has missed the past three games after getting injured in a hard hitting affair with Northeastern two Fridays ago. The Friars close the regular season next weekend with a home-and-home against Lowell.
Christian Isackson was scratched for the fourth straight game as Minnesota defeated Nebraska-Omaha, 3-2. Isackson and Adams remain as the only two Sabres prospects who have yet to score in 2011-12.
