11/14 Recap: Adam stops short of dozen; Roo nets two

Luke Adam saw his career-high point streak end at eleven games on Saturday as Cape Breton lost to Rouyn-Noranda, 2-1. The Screaming Eagles top-line center collected 18 ponts (10+8) over the stretch to tie the QMJHL's longest point streak of the season. Adam is currently 4th in league scoring (34), 2nd in power play goals (8), and 2nd second in shots on goal (121). Jacob Lagacé picked up a pair of assists as Chicoutimi defeated Lewiston, 4-3 in a shootout. The game's #2 star, Lagacé's helpers came in the third period as the Sags overcame a 3-1 deficit to force the extra session. Lagacé is the Sabres most productive prospect this season (mathematically), scoring 29 points (13+16) through his first 19 games. In the USHL, Mark "Roo" Adams scored twice on the power play in Chicago's wild 7-6 OT loss to Youngstown. It was the first multi-goal game of the year for the rookie defenseman. The 6'2, 207-pound Providence commit is the only minus-player for the second place Steel, clocking in with a cumulative -1 through his first 13 junior "A" games. In the OHL, Zack Kassian scored the Petes' only goal in a 6-1 loss to Barrie. The mark was Kassian's sixth of the season, giving him 12 points through his first 14 games. Nick Crawford was -1 for the Colts. In the ECAC, Alex Biega notched his first points of the year with a goal and an assist in Harvard's 3-3 tie with #19 Princeton. The senior captain finished +3 while paired with freshman brother Danny for the first time at any level of hockey. Their brother, Michael, secured the tie with a goal with just :57 remaining. In Grand Forks, North Dakota defenseman Corey Fienhage saw his first action since last December 6th, finishing even while looking comfortable with the game's speed in the Sioux's 3-1 loss to St. Cloud. The 6'3, 216-pounder was paired with fellow sophomore Ben Blood (OTT), and should continue to build upon his ten-game NCAA career with captain Chay Genoway sidelined indefinitely. NoDak netminder Brad Eidsness was spectacular in relief, making 16 saves after his scheduled night off lasted just 20:14 with freshman Aaron Dell allowing three goals on seven shots. The loss snaps a 17-game home unbeaten streak for the #2 Fighting Sioux. Connor Knapp returned to the nets for the first time in three weekends as #1 Miami played to a 1-1 tie with Ferris State. The 6'5 sophomore made 32 saves while surrendering a power play goal against to reaffirm his Saturday position in the RedHawks goaltender rotation. In Ann Arbor, Corey Tropp was even with four shots on goal as #13 Michigan State completed the home-and-home sweep of #6 Michigan with a 2-0 shutout. The Spartans are undefeated in their last seven games heading into next week's Thursday-Sunday matchup with #8 Notre Dame. Nick Eno made 22 stops but Bowling Green couldn't overcome a 3-0 first period deficit in their 5-3 loss to Alaska-Fairbanks. Drew MacKenzie was -2 as #15 Vermont got thrashed by #16 Boston College, 7-1. BC freshman Chris Kreider scored his first collegiate goal in the win. Justin Jokinen was scratched in Minnesota State's 3-2 loss to surprising #10 Colorado College.

11/13 Recap: Adam keeps piling; Tropp cool at Yost

Luke Adam extended his point streak to 11 games on Friday with a pair of power play goals in Cape Breton's 6-3 loss at Val-d'Or. The marks raise Adam's season numbers to 15-19-34 through 23 games, good for fourth in the QMJHL in points, and third in goals. The 6'2 pivot also collected six shots on goal while taking 12 of 19 draws for the Eagles (14-7-2-2). In Chicoutimi, Jacob Lagacé scored a goal and an assist as the Saugueneens defeated Rimouski, 4-1. Lagacé continues his impressive 1.5 ppg clip (13-14-27), and now has points in four straight since missing a week with borderline concussion symptoms. Marcus Foligno posted an assist as Sudbury put forth a strong effort but came up short in 6-5 shootout loss to Missisauga. In the CCHA, Corey Tropp scored his ninth goal of the season as Michigan State edged rival Michigan, 3-2. Booed and taunted by the rambunctious Yost Arena faithful in his first game at U-M since last January's slashing incident, Tropp's marker came off a nice deke and drag move to open up enough room to pick a high corner. The defenseman beaten on that play was Steve Kampfer - the player who was on the receiving end of Tropp's act last season. In Grand Forks, Brad Eidsness continued his early season roll with a 21-save performance as #2 North Dakota defeated St. Cloud, 4-2. Eidsness' sixth win of the season extends the Sioux's home unbeaten streak to 17 games. Sophomore defenseman Corey Fienhage again did not dress for North Dakota, but is all but guaranteed a role in Saturday's rematch after senior Chay Genoway left the game in the second period with an undisclosed injury. Genoway, UND's captain, was taken out by a high cross-check and could be concussed. Fienhage needs to play a safe, simple game as he eases himself into playing time. Nick Eno made 24 saves as Bowling Green earned their first victory of the season over Alaska-Fairbanks, 3-1. Making his second straight start , the junior made several difficult stops in what was likely his best performance since his freshman year. All signs point to Connor Knapp getting back into the Miami nets on Saturday after watching the #2 RedHawks play to a 2-2 tie with Ferris State. Justin Jokinen was even as Minnesota State suffered a 1-0 OT loss to Colorado College. Alex Biega was -2 as Harvard lost at Quinnipiac, 5-1.

Tropp facing weekend hurdle

The Thursday edition of The State News reported on Corey Tropp's return to Yost Arena this weekend, site of last season's unfortunate slashing incident on Michigan dman, Steve Kampfer. The 6'0 junior enters the rivalry set as the nation's leading scorer with 8 goals and 15 points through the first 10 games for the surprising #14 Spartans.

The roof could explode off Yost Ice Arena tonight. And that’s why Comley called Tropp into his office Monday, just to prepare for the crazy atmosphere. Comley expects the fans to hassle Tropp, but he isn’t expecting it to get too ugly. “I think there will be an awful lot of the verbal directed at him, but not any more than that,” Comley said. “Fans are going to yell. They like to yell at us. Even if this never happened, how much different can it be than what it always is?” CCHA commissioner Tom Anastos also isn’t expecting things to get out of hand on the ice. “I expect the game will be well played by both teams and will be a typical rivalry game — filled with all of the emotion and intensity that is always part of this rivalry,” Anastos said. Junior forward Andrew Rowe is friends with many Wolverines players and has been in recent contact with them. “They are past it and we are past it,” Rowe said. “I don’t think they are holding anything against us, and we aren’t holding anything against them.” The U-M coaches don’t plan on making an announcement to try and keep the “Children of Yost” under control. “Our administration has done a lot of things over the past few years as well as communicating with the students,” U-M assistant coach Billy Powers said. “Last year was a long time ago and I think our fans are more worried with being swept at home against Miami (Ohio) last weekend.” But that doesn’t change senior co-captain Nick Sucharski’s, and the team’s view of, “let’s get in and out of there.”

Mr. October continues Q cruise

Reigning QMJHL Offensive Player of the Month Luke Adam notched three assists on Friday as Cape Breton defeated Acadie-Bathurst, 6-2. Adam has seven goals and seven assists over his current eight-game point streak, and has hit the scoresheet in 17 of 20 games this season to solidify the center position for the Screaming Eagles (12-6-2-2). Maxme Legault had two assists as Shawinigan lost to Rimouski, 7-4. The 20-year old Cataractes captain has five goals, four assists, and a +4 in eight games since returning from his AHL stay with Portland. In the OHL, Nick Crawford posted a pair of assists in Saginaw's 5-1 over Oshawa. The Spirit win was their fifth in a row, while Crawford upped his season point total to 19 (3+16) in 18 season games. Marcus Foligno picked up an assist and a fighting major as Sudbury was outplayed in a 6-2 loss to Barrie. Foligno earned the third period takedown in one of four evening tilts, but Wolves continue to find themselves in last place in the Central Division with 7-11-0-1 mark. In the CCHA, Corey Tropp was even with two shots on goal as unranked Michigan State played to a 3-3 tie with #10 Nebraska-Omaha. Despite the bagels, Tropp is currently tied with Duluth's Jack Connolly atop the NCAA leaderboard with 15 points (8+7). In 63 games prior to this season, the junior had scored just nine goals. In the WCHA, Brad Eidsness made 21 saves to help #2 North Dakota earn a 4-2 win over Michigan Tech. The win ups the sophomore's record to 4-1-1 on the year. Corey Fienhage was again a healthy scratch, but could play on Saturday as the Sioux look to work him in to the blueline rotation. Drew MacKenzie picked up a power play assist as #15 Vermont came back to tie #8 Lowell, 3-3. Alex Biega was even as Harvard lost at Colgate, 5-4. Connor Knapp took his usual Friday post on the RedHawks bench as #1 Miami took down #4 Michigan at Yost, 3-1. After missing last Saturday's spot in the rotation, Knapp wil likely get back to action on Saturday as the RedHawks look for the sweep. Nick Eno served as back-up in Bowling Green's 5-1 loss to Ferris State. In the USHL, Mark Adams (+1) scored an unassisted goal as Chicago lost to Fargo, 4-1. The mark was Adams' first of his junior "A" career for the first-place Steel.

11/4-5 Recap: Tropp stays hot; Kassian cashes in

On Thursday, Corey Tropp scored a goal and an assist to regain the national scoring lead as Michigan State shutout Nebraska-Omaha, 3-0. Heading into Friday night NCAA play, the junior was leading all scorers with 15 points (8+7) in 10 games. In the QMJHL, Maxime Legault scored a goal and an assist as Shawinigan shutout Lewiston, 3-0. The Cataractes captain also registered six shots on goal in the win. On Wednesday, Zack Kassian one-timed a puck in the opening minute as Peterborough lost to Kitchener, 6-4. The banger now has goals in two straight games, and five on the year, as he looks to heat up for the meat of the season after missing nearly a month with a separated shoulder. Nick Crawford was +2 with an assist as Saginaw cruised past Sarnia, 4-1.

10/31 Recap: Tropp pots winner; Lagacé ready

Corey Tropp continued his blazing season start on Saturday by cashing the game winning goal as Michigan State defeated Western Michigan, 5-3. Tropp's closer, his 7th of the year, came at 6:44 of the third period when he roofed a backhand off a cross-ice feed from Nick Sucharski. The junior's seven goals and 13 points lead the NCAA through the first month of play, all the while propelling the unranked Spartans to a 6-2 record. Justin Jokinen was -1 with a team-best five shots on goal as Mankato played to a 4-4 tie at #3 Denver. The sophomore showed good jump on a line with Eli Zuck and Zach Harrison one night after a collision in the Pios crease that left DU netminder Marc Cheverie out of action for at least a month with a deep calf laceration. Connor Knapp missed his Saturday nod as #1 Miami squeaked past Northern Michigan, 2-1. Knapp has been shaky in his past two starts, but it appears that the sit was more about Knapp recovering from a flu bug than it was sub-standard play. Bowling Green's Nick Eno again gave way to 21-year old freshman Andrew Hammond as the Falcons lost at #13 Nebraska-Omaha, 3-1. Despite inflated goals against and save percentage numbers, Eno made several spectacular stops last Friday against Minnesota State. Still, Hammond was the Falcons best player on Saturday and earned the back-to-back road starts this weekend against UNO. In the OHL, Nick Crawford was even as Saginaw took a 5-4 shootout win over defending Memorial Cup champion Windsor. 2010 eligible Ivan Telegin scored his 9th and 10th goals of the season for the Spirit while consensus top-3 for next June, Taylor Hall, netted his 17th for the Spits. Saginaw sits alone in second place in the OHL's West Division with 22 points. Windsor still paces the league with 29 points. In the QMJHL, Jordon Southorn was -1 as PEI was shut out by Montreal, 3-0. The Rocket (10-7-2-1) sit in fourth place in the tightly packed Atlantic Division. Also of note from Eastern Canada, Chicoutimi Sagueneens forward Jacob Lagacé was held out of action this week as he continues to feel effects from being on the wrong end of a thundering blow to the head from Quebec's Danick Paquette last Friday (10/23). It was thought that the Sags leading goal man would return on Thursday, but precautionary measures have kept him off the ice. With headaches gone, Lagacé skated hard on Wednesday and will be on the ice when the Sags battle Baie-Comeau on Sunday.

10/30 Recap: Adam keeps rolling

Luke Adam scored his 11th goal of the year on Friday as Cape Breton defeated Halifax, 4-1. Adam, who was nmed the game's #3 star, helped pace the Eagles attack with a game-best six shots on goal. The reliable center is currently 7th in QMJHL scoring with 26 points. Elsewhere in the Q, Maxime Legault scored two goals including an empty netter as Shawinigan outlasted Gatineau, 5-3. On Thursday, Legault was held without a point in the Cataractes' 4-1 loss to Rouyn-Noranda. Jordon Southorn had an assist as PEI dropped a 4-3 overtime decision to Quebec. In the WHL, Brayden McNabb picked up a power play assist in Kootenay's 2-1 win over Brandon. The big lefty has three goals and 16 points for the Ice (6-11). In Friday night OHL play, Marcus Foligno had a pair of first period assists as Sudbury edged Niagara, 5-4. The gritty winger caused a major scrum to earn two of his eight penalty minutes late in the second period after he was hit from behind. On Wednesday, Foligno was +1 in a loss at Soo. Zack Kassian earned a checking to the head minor and a misconduct for abuse of officials as Peterborough lost at Mississauga-St. Mike's, 4-3. As expected, Kassian returned to the Petes lineup on Thursday, picking up checking to the head and cross-checking minors in 6-4 win over Oshawa. Nick Crawford was +1 in Saginaw's 6-1 win over Sarnia. In NCAA play, Drew MacKenzie assisted on the only Catamount goal as Vermont lost at Maine, 4-1. Alex Biega was +1 with a shot on goal as Harvard opened their regular season scehdule with a 5-3 win over Dartmouth. Entering the night as the nation's leading scorer, Corey Tropp finished even as Michigan State defeated Western Michigan, 2-1. Nick Eno watched as Bowling Green played to a 3-3 tie with Nebraska-Omaha. In Denver, Justin Jokinen was -1 as Mankato lost to the Pioneers, 4-3. Jokinen was involved in an unfortunate play in the third period that saw Denver goalie Marc Cheverie taken off the ice on a stretcher with a severe cut to his calf. Breaking towards the goal, Jokinen was taken down by defenseman Patrick Wiercioch, at which point he slid backwards into the Pio crease where his skate caught the goaltender on his back of his lower leg. In USHL play, Mark Adams was even as Chicago was blanked by Cedar Rapids, 2-0.

CCHA honors for Tropp

On Monday, Michigan State right wing Corey Tropp was rewarded for his recent hot streak by being named CCHA Offensive Player of the week. From the Sabres:

Michigan State’s top-line winger has been an offensive force in the first three weeks of the season; in last weekend’s action, he had a goal and a pair of assists on the split with Miami (2-1 loss, 3-2 win (OT). Tropp assisted on MSU’s lone goal on Friday, then had a goal and an assist in Saturday’s win. Defensively, Tropp was not on the ice for any of Miami’s four goals against in the two games, and all of his points came with Michigan State skating on the man advantage. Tropp’s 12 points is a current national and CCHA lead, and he leads the conference in goals (6), assists (6), and power-play goals (4) and points (8) as well. The 20-year-old Tropp was selected by the Sabres in the third round (89th overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

10/24-25 Recap: Tropp sparks Spartans

Corey Tropp scored the first Spartan goal and added an assist as Michigan State continued to surprise the college hockey world on Saturday with a 3-2 overtime win over Miami. The junior right wing leads all NCAA icers with six goals and six assists for the 4-2 Spartans. State finished a miserable 10-23-5 in 2008-09. Sophomore Connor Knapp made 19 saves for the RedHawks to move to 1-1 as the Saturday starter. In the QMJHL, Luke Adam scored his eighth goal of the year in Cape Breton's 4-3 shootout loss to PEI. Adam, who was stopped as one the four Eagle shooters, is currently ranked seventh in league scoring with 22 points. Jordon Southorn was +1 with an assist for the winning Rocket. Maxime Legault scored his first goal of the season as Shawinigan stomped Drummondville, 7-3. The game's #3 star, Legault added four hits to help set an early tone for the Cataractes. The two clubs played it back on Sunday, with Legault earning a fighting major in a scrappy third period as the Cataractes lost to the Voltigeurs, 6-3. The big forward paced the losing side with a game-best seven shots on goal. In the OHL, Saginaw's Nick Crawford had an assist in Saturday's 5-2 win over Ottawa. The Spirit's shutdown dman, Crawford has three goals and 13 assists in his first 14 games. Out west, Brayden McNabb went without a point for just the third time this season as Kootenay was shutout by Moose Jaw, 1-0. The games marked the 150th WHL contest for the 6'4 defenseman. Returning after a one-game rest, Brad Eidsness stopped 18 shots as North Dakota suffered their first loss of the season to Alaska-Anchorage, 2-1. The sophomore netminder was beaten by a floating puck in tight for the first goal against, and later surrendered a long point shot on the power play. Defenseman Corey Fienhage was again a scratch for the Sioux as the six defensemen ahead of him continue to play well. After a 6-0 shelling at the hands of Wisconsin the night before, Justin Jokinen was left out of the lineup as Minnesota State bounced back to defeat the Badgers, 3-2. Nick Eno worked the door as Bowling Green lost a 3-1 decision to Providence. Bowling Green will be overmatched on many nights, creating a stiff challenge to Eno to improve on his current 9.15 goals against average and .818 save percentage. In the USHL, Mark Adams was -1 as Chicago edged Sioux Falls, 4-3.

10/23 Recap: Tropp atop; Lagace clocked

No where near being back in full, but here's the Friday tour... Corey Tropp continued his hot start on Friday, notching an assist on the Spartans only goal as Michgan State lost a 2-1 decision to top-ranked Miami. With five goals and five assists in five games, Tropp leads the nation in scoring heading into Saturday night's rematch. RedHawks netminder Connor Knapp is slotted for his regular Saturday start after getting pulled in last week's 5-5 tie with New Hampshire. In the QMJHL, Luke Adam had a goal and two assists as Cape Breton lost to PEI, 7-4. Adam currently ranks 9th in Q scoring wth seven goals and 14 assists. Rocket dman Jordon Southorn collected a five-minute major for a second period tussle with Eagles captain Nick MacNeil. Jacob Lagace was knocked out of action in the first period by a Danick Paquette (ATL) body check as Chicoutimi defeated Quebec, 4-2. Lagace, who was caught with his head down, could miss additional time as the Remparts forechecker left his feet to deliver the blow. Earlier in the week, Adam and Lagace were named to Team QMJHL for the 2009 Subway Super Series against Team Russia. Unable to reach terms on a deal with the Sabres that would have kept him in Portland, Maxime Legault returned to the QMJHL for Friday night action, finishing -1 with 2 PIM as Shawinigan bested Lewiston, 6-3. The 6'2 right wing was pointless with 4 PIM in five AHL games. In Russia, Marek Zagrapan scored his sixth goal of the year as Severstal lost to Spartak, 3-1. The Sabres first pick in 2005, Zagrapan is currently the team's second leading scorer with 10 points in 17 games. In the OHL, Marcus Foligno was +2 with a pair of even-strength assists as Sudbury downed Sarnia, 4-2. Nick Crawford was -3 with an assist as Saginaw dropped a 5-4 overtime decision to Kingston. Summer camper Michael Fine had three assists for Fronts. In WHL action, Brayden McNabb saw a slapshot from the point tipped in for the only Ice goal as Kootenay fell to Portland, 5-1. The defenseman's assist moves his point total to 15 on the year, while his game-low -4 finish lands him at a cumulative -3. Elsewhere in the NCAA, Drew MacKenzie finished -1 as Vermont lost to Merrimack, 5-2. Summer camper Brayden Irwin scored the second Catamounts goal. Starter Nick Eno surrendered four goals on 22 shots before getting pulled as Bowling Green was blown out by Providence, 8-2. Justin Jokinen was quiet as Mankato got thrashed on home-ice by Wisconsin, 6-0. Brad Eidsness took the night off for the first time in his WCHA career as North Dakota blanked Alaska-Anchorage, 5-0. Sophomore dman Corey Fienhage continued his press box streak dating back to last January. Alex Biega pumped home a power play goal as Harvard tied McGill, 3-3. The senior defenseman fired a total fo seven shots on goal in the Crimson's first exhibition game of the season. In the USHL, Mark Adams was -1 with a shot on goal as Chicago won at Lincoln, 7-5.

10/13-16 Recap: Tropp, Lagacé get tricky; Eidsness blanks rival

Corey Tropp scored his first collegiate hat trick Friday as Michigan State posted a big win at Maine, 5-3. The junior right wing scored one goal at even strength, and one each on the power play and penalty kill. Tropp was excellent with the puck throughout, making sharp moves around defenders to earn six shots on goal to help push the Spartans to a 3-0 season start. In the QMJHL, Jacob Lagacé had three goals and an assist as Chicoutimi plowed their way to a 6-4 win over Halifax. The 5'11, 196-pound forward filled an empty net in the final minute to complete his second career hat trick. The game's #1 star, Lagacé becomes the first Sabres prospect to hit double-digit goals with 10 in 12 games. Brad Eidsness stopped all 22 shots sent his way as North Dakota defended home-ice with a 4-0 shutout of rival Minnesota. The sophomore made a few clutch stops along the way to move to 3-0 on the season. The shutout, Eidsness' second of his NCAA career, was sealed when the Sioux killed off a five minute major in the final minutes. Sophomore Corey Fienhage was again a healthy scratch for the Fighting Sioux. In the WHL, Brayden McNabb continued his strong 2009-10 start, notching his third goal of the year and finishing +2 as Kootenay edged Spokane, 4-3. The 6'4 defenseman also earned a fighting major when he tangled with Chiefs disturber Kyle Beach (CHI) after the Ice scored the game's first goal. Elsewhere, Luke Adam scored his fifth goal of the year and went 16 of 24 at the faceoff circle as Cape Breton defeated Shawinigan, 2-1. The consistent 6'2 center has five goals and 11 assists by collecting points in all but two of his 11 games this season. Jordon Southorn was -2 as PEI was shutout by Moncton, 4-0. Top 2009 prospect Kirill Kabanov had three assists for the victorious Wildcats. In the OHL, Nick Crawford scored a goal and finished +1 as Saginaw defeated Sault Ste. Marie, 4-1. Crawford's third goal of the year got the 7-2-1 Spirit on the board in the first period to help hand the Hounds their fourth straight defeat after being the hottest OHL club in the first two weeks of the season. Marcus Foligno was -1 with hooking and roughing minors as Sudbury lost to Oshawa, 3-1. In the WCHA, Justin Jokinen had four shots on goal as Mankato dropped a 5-2 decision at Duluth. The sophomore right wing missed a chance at this first goal of the year when a good opportunity went high with his club trailing 2-1 in the second period. Nick Eno made 14 saves and surrendered one goal against as three Bowling Green netminders split time in a 7-2 exhibition loss to the USA U18s. DU-bound Nick Shore banked a puck off Eno from behind the goal line to put the Falcons down 5-0 in the late second period. ------------------------------------------- Playing catch-up.... Jordon Southorn was +2 with an assist on Tuesday as PEI shutout a strong Saint John club by a 4-0 count. Marek Zagrapan was even with two shots on goal as Severstal lost a tough one to HC MVD, 2-1. On Wednesday, Luke Adam had a pair of assists as Cape Breton downed Montreal, 6-2. Jacob Lagacé scored his seventh goal of the year on the power play as Chicoutimi came up short in a 3-2 loss to Rimouski. Vjacheslav Buravchikov was even through 12:16 of work in Ak Bars' 3-1 win over Motorist. In Thursday Q action, Southorn was -2 as PEI defeated Moncton, 4-2.

10/10 Recap: Crawford piles helpers; Adam jamming

In the OHL, fourth-year defenseman Nick Crawford posted a career-best four assists on Saturday as Saginaw cruised past Belleville, 8-3. The 6'1 Crawford now has 12 points in nine games. Josh Shalla ('10) had a hat trick for the Spirit, while summer camper Adam Payerl connected on the power play for the Bulls. Marcus Foligno finished -1 as Sudbury was handed a 9-2 beatdown by Plymouth. Tyler Seguin ('10) had an even strength hat trick and two assists for the Whalers. At 6'1, 190 pounds, the 17-year old center leads the OHL with 14 goals, three hatties, and 11 assists in 10 games, and would be an ideal first-round target for the Sabres next June. In the QMJHL, Luke Adam extended a career-best six-game point streak with a pair of assists as Cape Breton lost to Saint John, 5-2. The big pivot paced the Eagles with six shots on goal and four hits, and continued to show improvement at the dot by taking 13 of 18 draws, but his club was forced into multiple turnovers by the hard skating Sea Dogs. Adam, who had a nice center ice collision with Dog dman Simon Despres (PIT), will enter Sunday's rematch as Cape Breton's leading scorer with 13 points (4+9) including eight in his last three games. Jordon Southorn (+2) assisted on both Rocket goals as PEI edged Rouyn-Noranda, 2-1 in OT. With Southorn putting forth a sound effort at both of the ice, Sabres Prospects continues to be impressed with undrafted Rocket, Adam Polasek. The import defenseman can skate with the puck, makes smart decisions, and likes the physical game. PEI was playing their first game under new head coach Eric Lavigne after the firing of Guy Chouinard earlier in the week. In Saturday college action, Corey Tropp had two power play assists as Michigan State swept Clarkson with a 4-3 win. The junior right wing had back-to-back multi-point efforts for the first time in his NCAA career, and seems to be clicking on the Spartans first line with Nick Sucharski and former BCHLer Derek Grant. Sophomore Connor Knapp was sharp in his first start of the year, stopping 20 shots to earn his third career shutout in Miami's 2-0 blanking of St. Cloud. Knapp directed the puck well, but was rarely tested by the Husky forwards. The #1 RedHawks will continue their Friday/Saturday goaltender rotation when they travel to New Hampshire next weekend. In Grand Forks, Brad Eidsness made 16 saves as North Dakota pushed off to a 2-0 season start with a 3-2 win over Merrimack. The Warriors were a little more active around the NoDak goalmouth, but Eidsness held his ground with good rebound cpntrol. Corey Fienhage was again a scratch for the Sioux as Dave Hakstol dressed a pair of freshmen ahead of him this weekend. Drew MacKenzie had an assist as Vermont defeated Denver, 6-4. Summer camper Brayden Irwin (#1 star) had two goals to lead the Catamounts, who earned the weekend split with the win. In the KHL, Vjacheslav Buravchikov was +1 as Ak Bars lost to Atlant, 4-3.

10/9 Recap: McNabb hones edge; Tropp starts strong

Brayden McNabb extended his career-best point streak to nine games on Friday by picking up two assists in Kootenay's 7-3 dumping of Memorial Cup host Brandon. The rugged dman, who upped his season point number to 12, also picked up his third fighting major of the year as retribution after a teammate absorbed a hit from 5'10 Wheatie, Darren Bestland. Instigator and misconduct included. Sure the Ice would prefer their #1 dman to stay out of the box, but McNabb continues to embrace a leadership role, and further demonstrate the traits that made him the subject of this post a couple of weeks back. His dozen points is only equaled by the number of punches he's landed on his WHL counterparts. Continuing to burn both ends can only advance him up the list of Sabres blueline properties. In the OHL, Nick Crawford (-1) assisted on the game winning goal as Saginaw outshot Sudbury 49-21 to earn the 5-3 win. Crawford has points in three straight games, and a total of eight on the year (2+6). Wolves forward Marcus Foligno (-1), who entered the game third in the OHL in PIM, had an assist, a minor penalty, and nearly scored his second goal of the year when he pinged a pipe in the opening stanza. In the early second period, the 6'3 grinder found the puck on his stick as soon as he exited the penalty box, and immediately pushed it to Jared Stall for Sudbury's second goal. It was Foligno's third point on the year. At Chicoutimi, Jacob Lagacé (+1) scored the game's only goal as the Sags blanked Shawinigan, 1-0. The tally, Lagacé's sixth of the season, came in the opening minute of the second period with both teams at even strength. In NCAA action, Corey Tropp scored a power play and added an assist as Michigan State throttled Clarkson, 6-1. It was a nice start for the once-proud Spartan program after a 2008-09 campaign that saw the team finish 10-23-5. Freshman Zach Josepher had two goals and two goal assists in his first D1 contest to lead the MSU attack. At the Ralph, Brad Eidsness had to make just 15 saves as North Dakota closed out Merrimack, 5-2. Both goals against came in the first period - one off a screen where he stood little chance against a waiting rebounder and the other on a breakway. The sophomore went fairly untested in the final 40-minutes as the Sioux forwards went in waves at the other end. Blueliner Corey Fienhage sat for the Sioux, with freshman Andrew MacWilliam and sophomore Ben Blood getting the early looks. Fienhage was a little shaky in Sunday's exhibition tilt, and will need a little more practice time to work his way back into the lineup. At Magness, defenseman Drew MacKenzie was -1 as Vermont coughed up a two-goal lead in a 5-4 loss to Denver. The Catamounts were leading 4-2 late in the second period when summer camper Brayden Irwin earned five and a game for a checking from behind penalty. The momentum shifted from there, as the Pios poured in three goals in the final twenty minutes to get the opening night W. Nick Eno made 32 saves as Bowling Green dropped a 3-2 decision to Minnesota State. The junior netminder made many excellent saves throughout, including stops on all 16 shots he faced in the middle period. Maverick right wing Justin Jokinen was even with a shot on goal. Connor Knapp worked the door as #1 Miami needed OT to defeat St. Cloud, 3-2. The 6'5 sophomore will get the Saturday start in the RedHawks net.. In the USHL, Roo Adams was even with two shots on goal as Chicago doubled-up Waterloo, 6-3. The Steel have started the season with three straight victories.

10/6 recap: McNabb extends, plays Raider hater

In the WHL, Brayden McNabb extended his point streak to seven games on Tuesday with an assist as Kootenay lost to Prince Albert, 4-3. The physical defender also raked in nine minutes in penalties in the loss, five of which he earned in a second period fight with Raiders forward Brandon Herrod. McNabb's decision to pass up the middle as opposed to using the boards was questionable, but it's easy to appreciate the ornery manner in which he made up for the error. At 6'4, 210 pounds, the rugged Saskatchewan native has been laying big hits all season, and his disruptive play not only prevented a goal, but also continued his statement about how things are going to be in his zone. Aside from being a physical presence, MacNabb currently leads the Ice and all WHL defenseman with nine points (1+8). On Monday, Michigan State forward Corey Tropp scored a short-handed goal as Michigan State opened their exhibition schedule with a 5-2 win over Western Ontario. The junior skated on the Spartans first line with Derek Grant (OTT) and Nick Sucharski (CBS) in his first action since being suspended from the team in January. State begins their regular season schedule when they host Clarkson for a weekend set.

Tropp reinstated

Corey Tropp of Michigan State has been reinstated to the hockey program after a January suspension. The Sabres third round pickin 2007, Tropp will return to the CCHA in 2009-10 for his junior season.

EAST LANSING - Sophomore right wing Corey Tropp has been reinstated to the hockey program, coach Rick Comley said Friday. Advertisement Tropp was suspended for the season after an on-ice incident in a game at Michigan on Jan. 25. Tropp slashed at a prone Steven Kampfer, a Wolverine defenseman who had been hauled down by Spartan freshman forward Andrew Conboy. The incident came after Kampfer's open-ice hit on Tropp. "I feel Corey deserves to rejoin the team,'' Comley said in a statement released by MSU. "Corey paid a considerable price for his actions - actions which were out of character and not representative of how he carried himself as student-athlete in our program up to that point. "We believe that this was an isolated incident and it is time for him to get back with the team as we begin our preparations for next season.'' Before he was suspended, Tropp, from Grosse Pointe Woods, had three goals and eight assists for 11 points in 22 games. Conboy also was suspended for the season, but he left school immediately to turn pro. He recently signed an entry-level contract with the NHL's Montreal Canadiens.

Another twist for Tropp

Suspended Michigan State forward Corey Tropp will not be playing in the USHL after all, as his remaining years of eligibility would be at risk if he was to do so according to the NCAA. Or at least that's what's happening on Day 10 of the Tropp Saga. While we won't see the Grosse Point, MI native covering a wing for the balance of 2008-09, expect a return to the Spartans lineup in 2009-10.

When Tropp came to Sioux Falls last week Michigan State officials told him it was within his rights to play for the Stampede. However, after compliance staff at Michigan State and the NCAA discussed the situation, they were unsure if he could retain his college eligibility if he would have played one game with the Stampede. Because Tropp had already enrolled in spring semester, the NCAA said Tropp would become ineligible if he played with any other team, potentially jeopardizing his college eligibility for the rest of his career. With this new information, Tropp, his family, and family advisor felt it was in the best interest of Corey to return to campus at Michigan State and finish his spring semester. He will then reevaluate his situation at the end of the school year. Tropp's advisors told Stampede officials that Corey's college eligibility is the most important issue at this time. “Corey informed me tonight that he had a conversation with Michigan State head coach Rick Comley prior to Stampede practice today (Monday) and was told he would be reinstated once his suspension is served,” said Stampede CEO Gary Weckwerth. "Corey added that the change in heart came after some of his Michigan State teammates met with Comley and asked them to reconsider Corey's situation. This is the right thing for Corey. We are very happy for him and that he can start putting this incident behind him."

Tropp speaks out, suspended (again)

In a move that safeguards the league from resembling the LNAH, the USHL on Thursday suspended Sioux Falls forward Corey Tropp for two games. The decision gives the league time to formally evaluate Tropp's actions from last weekend's Michigan State/Michigan contest before officially granting the former Stampede forward a return to the club.

"We are as concerned as everyone in the hockey community that the on-ice actions of Mr. Tropp be recognized as fundamentally unacceptable to the game of hockey at any level," said Commissioner Skip Prince. "We have spoken with officials at both the CCHA and Michigan State to understand better the circumstances of the incident in Ann Arbor last Saturday evening. We believe it is only fair to meet with Mr. Tropp as well. Given the timing of this matter, that hearing will not occur until after this weekend's USHL schedule has been completed. The determination as to what further sanctions, if any, are appropriate will be concluded prior to the re-commencement of the USHL season after our All-Star break." Prince further noted, "We note that this is a case of first impression for the USHL – that is, we've not had to address the question of a player joining our league following a suspension at the NCAA level. There is nothing in our rules or regulations regarding the matter, so was both well within the rights of the Sioux Falls Stampede, and appropriate, for them to add Mr. Tropp to their roster pending the League's decision as to appropriate suspension. We're all trying to do the right thing here."

SabresProspects respects the league process, and fully expects Tropp to be cleared given his previous record. Upon his return to Sioux Falls, Tropp spoke with Matt Zimmer of the Argus Leader about what transpired and what the future may bring for the Sabres third-round pick in 2007.

AL: Did you consider dropping out of school? CT: No, absolutely not. I weighed certain options, I just felt like coming back here and doing that whole deal would be more beneficial than trying something else. AL: I would think this is a good situation for you. You’re familiar with this team, and Coach Hartzell and (CEO Gary Weckwerth) and you know the people around here. Are you looking forward to getting into a hopefully comfortable situation? CT: Oh, yeah, definitely. I hope everything works out. AL: Are you worried about how people will react to this? People booing you or having a problem with you being on the ice? CT: You know, everyone can have their opinion. You know yourself best, you can’t really worry about what other people think. Obviously there will be quite a spotlight, watching over me making sure I’m doing things right. I’ve just got to make sure I’m doing things right so that people who don’t like me right now can look back and say, ‘Maybe he’s not that bad.’ AL: Will it affect the way you play hockey? People could be taking cheap shots at you to try to get you to retaliate. Do you have to be careful about dropping the gloves or throwing an elbow? CT: Ah, I’m not too worried about that. I’m pretty confident there’s a time and a place for things that are going to take place. I made one mistake, hopefully I’m going to learn from that and go forward. In a couple years from now maybe I’ll look at it as a bump in the road. AL: Are you confident you can concentrate on hockey? Will this be a distraction for you on the ice? CT: I’m pretty confident with myself. Pretty much everyone in hockey goes through some kind of difficulty. Life’s not always easy. I think getting back on the ice will be the best thing for me. AL: Do you want to go back to Michigan State next year? CT: Oh yeah. The plan right now is we’ll sit down and talk at the end of the season. They have to make a decision and I’ll have to make a decision on what I think’s best for me. AL: You still have a bright future. You’re a third-round NHL draft pick. Are you still confident you career can get to where you wanted it to be all along? CT: Absolutely. I don’t have any doubt in my mind. The only one that can control that is me. You can’t let other people not let you do what you want to do. If you work hard enough, I’m pretty confident in myself. Hopefully one day I’ll have an opportunity to keep moving up in hockey.

Tropp back to USHL

After a few days of deliberation, former Michigan State forward Corey Tropp is heading back to the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League. Tropp spent the past season-and-a-half in E. Lansing where he tallied 28 points (9g, 19a) in 63 games, but was forced to look for other options after last weekend's unfortunate events at Joe Louis Arena.

Tropp played with the Stampede from 2005 to 2007 and was an integral part of the Stampede’s first Anderson Cup and Clark Cup championships. He led the team in scoring with 62 points (26g, 36a) in 54 games during the 2006-07 season and was the league’s leading scorer in the playoffs with 13 points (4g, 9a) in eight games. He was also named MVP of the USHL All-Star Game in Waterloo that season. "We are excited to have Corey back with us, but at the same time saddened it's under these unfortunate circumstances,” said Stampede CEO Gary Weckwerth. “I have reviewed the tape from the game and our staff has had many conversations with Corey, his family and officials at Michigan State about the situation. While Corey apologized for his actions, it's my opinion that he is a victim of other circumstances off the ice that do not reflect on Corey's true character. In his two years with our franchise Corey played the game within the rules and spirit that hockey is. He is a good person who knows he is family with the Stampede. We know what Corey is about and are saddened that the entire situation even took place. We welcome him back. We want hockey to be fun for Corey again.”

Meanwhile per The Ann Arbor News, authorities have determined that Tropp and exiled Andrew Conboy will not be subject to criminal charges for the punch and slash incident with Michigan's Steve Kampfer. They also stated that finality in the situation with Kampfer's father going after Tropp will be coming shortly.

Brown said police determined the actions of Conboy and Tropp during Saturday's game at Yost Ice Arena did not merit criminal charges. She also said police did not have a complainant. After the incident, Bruce Kampfer, father Steve Kampfer, physically confronted Tropp in the Spartans' locker room just before the game ended. Brown said the investigation into that incident will be completed any day and will be turned over to the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office for review.

Tropp no longer a Spartan

Yesterday suspended for the rest of the season, today done for good? Per The Detroit News, Michigan State sophomore Corey Tropp will no longer be a part of the Spartans hockey program.

Michigan State hockey players Andrew Conboy and Corey Tropp are no longer on the team after their violent actions in Saturday's game at Michigan, MSU coach Rick Comley said Tuesday. "It was a tough decision, but the right decision," Comley said. "I don't think the kids are bad kids. I don't think (their actions) were premeditated."

There's more to come on this. Tropp is staying in school while addressing options (juniors, professional contract, sit-and-transfer), but for now the dust will have to settle before a decision is made. The Sarnia Sting (OHL) would have dibs if he was looking at major junior. The Lansing State Journal is suggesting that a relationship between Tropp and the Spartans may not be 100% over.

Tropp, who was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the third round of the 2007 NHL draft from Grosse Pointe Woods, is talking with his parents about his future. "If he stays in school, I would be willing to sit down with him in the spring and discuss his status with him,'' Comley said. Senior goalie Jeff Lerg, the Spartans' captain, said he and former MSU standout Justin Abdelkader talked with Tropp on Monday. "We told him that you don't want to ruin your hockey career because of one thing,'' Lerg said. "If you have to work through some tough times, you'll probably be better for it. "I think it's good for him to take a couple days and let it sink in and look at his options.''

Tropp done for season

Michigan State sophomore Corey Tropp has been suspended for the remainder of the season after his Saturday night slashing major on Michigan's Steve Kampfer. Teammate Andrew Conboy was also ordered to shut it down for giving Kampfer a clothesline punch from behind just before Tropp went Hanson on the fallen defenseman. A product of the Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL), Tropp had three goals and 11 points in 21 games this season. He missed five games due to mono in December, a situation that certainly contributed to what appears to be the worst Michigan State hockey club since they joined the CCHA in 1981.

Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis said he and Comley agree what the Spartans players did "were spontaneous, emotional actions carried out during a highly competitive game." "But their actions were completely inappropriate and reflect poorly on our program," Hollis added. Michigan coach Red Berenson said, "I think it's in good hands. The system will work. It's just a bad mistake."