In Tuesday action, Linus Ullmark made 26 saves in his first HockeyAllsvenskan start as Mora defeated Vasteras 6-2. Ullmark, who came on in relief in Saturday's come-from-behind win, has started off his loan assignment with two wins, a 1.80 goals against average, and a .917 save percentage. Mora could again lean on Ullmark when they take the ice Thursday versus Bofors.
In SM-liiga, Joel Armia was blanked as Assat gave up a late penalty-shot goal to lose 2-1 to HIFK. Armia, who wore the Aces golden helmet as the team's leading scorer, received a season-high 19:13 of work in the loss. Assat hits the road for Thursday and Friday games at KalPa and JYP.
Colin Jacobs posted a career-best five points Saturday as Prince George opened the regular season with a 6-0 blowout of Everett.
Jacobs got the ball rolling for the Cougars with a penalty shot goal at 6:43 of the first period. He later struck on the power play in the final minute of the second. The five-point night (2+3), which eclipsed Jacobs' previous high (4) set in December 2010, was a first for a Sabres prospect since Kevin Sundher's one-goal, four-assist performance last October. The Cougars and Silvertips will engage in a rematch Sunday.
Joel Armia scored his third goal of the year as Assat defeated HPK 4-1. The mark, which came in the opening minute of the second period, tied the game 1-1 as Assat began to take control of the game. The Aces get back at it Tuesday when they host HIFK.
In Sweden, Linus Ullmark came on in relief of Daniel Hansen, stopping seven of eight shots in 39:57 of work as Mora rallied from a two-goal deficit to defeat Djurgardens 5-4 in a shootout. Ullmark, who was making his Mora debut, allowed a power play goal off a quick feed from behind the night shortly after entering the game but held firm from there while his team carried the play over the final twenty minutes to force extra time. Mora returns to action Tuesday against Vasteras.
Elsewhere, Dan Catenacci notched a goal and an assist as Owen Sound defeated Saginaw 5-2. Catenacci has four points (2+2) after two regular season games. The Attack continue play Thursday at Barrie. Justin Kea finished -1 for the Spirit, who kick off their home schedule Thursday versus Sudbury.
Brady Austin was -2 as Belleville needed a shootout to defeat Plymouth 3-2. The Bulls take on the Battalion Friday night in Brampton.
In the WHL, Logan Nelson picked up a pair of even-strength assists in Victoria's 3-2 win over Vancouver. Nelson showed off his speed and passing on the second helper, breaking into the Giants zone and deftly sending a cross-ice saucer feed to Alex Gogolev. The Royals are off until Friday when they begin a two-game set with Kamloops.
Andrey Makarov made 25 saves as Saskatoon lost their home opener 5-2 to Prince Albert. The Blades made ti tough on themselves from the start, surrendering three goals in the top half of the first period including two on the power play. The Blades next take the ice Wednesday at Brandon.
Linus Ullmark has been loaned to Mora IK of HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden's second-tier professional league. Ullmark had posted a 2.58 goals against average and .891 save percentage in two starts, both losses, for Modo J20 last weekend to open the 2012-13 SuperElit season. The loan comes on the heels of a injury to Mora netminder Ervins Mustukovs, who is expected to miss four to six weeks.
Ullmark arrived in Mora Tuesday and served as backup to Daniel Hansen on Wednesday in a 4-1 loss to Oskarshamn. The 19-year old joins Anze Kopitar as additions to the Mora's roster over the past five days. Next up for Mora is a Saturday date with Djurgarden.
In the lone Sunday game in the prospect ranks, Linus Ullmark made 15 saves as MODO J20 dropped a 2-1 decision to Vasteras. The 6-foot-3 Swede held firm through two periods, but MODO gave up two goals in the final period to open the season with two consecutive defeats. Ullmark and the J20 will look to right the ship Friday versus Mora.
Joel Armia notched a power play assist Saturday as Assat earned their second straight shutout with a 3-0 win over TPS. Armia now has two goals and two assists in the Aces first two regular season games. Next up for Assat is a Wednesday visit to Karpat.
In Sweden, Linus Ullmark made 26 saves as Modo J20 lost their SuperElit North opener 3-2 to Brynas. Modo came back with a pair of second period goals after trailing 2-0 at the end of the first. The game would remain tied until Henrik Messfeldt struck for Brynas at 4:54 of the third just as a power play expired. Modo J20 tangles with Vasteras J20 on Sunday.
In the WHL, Logan Nelson scored his first goal of the preseason as Victoria doubled Vancouver, 4-2. With the exhibition slate complete, the Royals will now eye the start of their regular season Friday back in Vancouver.
Andrey Makarov played the entire game for Saskatoon, stopping 17 of 21 shots as the Blades were downed by Regina, 4-3. Morgan Klimchuk ('13) scored a pair of goals for the Pats. Saskatoon begins the regular seaosn Friday at Prince Albert.
In OHL preseason play, Justin Kea scored a late second period goal as Saginaw topped Sault Ste. Marie, 5-3. The Spirit, who completed their exhibition schedule with a 4-1 record, begin the regular season Friday evening in Guelph.
On Thursday, Kea got his scrapping on with his first major of the 2012-13 year in a 8-0 loss to Sarnia.
Alex Lepkowski skated without a point as Barrie closed out the preseason with a 4-2 win over Guelph. The Colts outshot the Storm by a 52-28 margin to earn the win. Barrie opens the OHL regular season Thursday at Ottawa.
In the USHL, Judd Peterson did not factor as Cedar Rapids was defeated by Waterloo, 4-2. Peterson, who scored a hat trick the night before in a loss to the Blackhawks, will look to get back on the scoresheet Wednesday when the RoughRiders continue the preseason in Des Moines.
Linus Ullmark stopped 44 of 45 shots sent his way Sunday as Modo J20 earned a 2-1 overtime win over Skelleftea J20.
The 6'3" Ullmark came up big throughout, including many big saves as Gustav Possler (’13) served a five-minute major for a check to the head late in the game. MODO opens the SuperElit regular season schedule Saturday when they hosy Brynas.
In the OHL, Dan Catenacci's Owen Sound Attack throttled Erie 9-4 in their second-to-last preseason contest. The Attack will close out their exhibition schedule Tuesday with a game against Mississauga. Catenacci sustained an undisclosed injury and did not play.
Alex Lepkowski's Barrie Colts defeated Kitchener, 5-2. The Colts close out the preseason Friday with a rematch against the Rangers.
Dan Catenacci got his first preseason skate in Sunday as Owen Sound dropped a 3-1 decision to Barrie. The speedy forward is the top returning scorer on the Attack roster after scoring 33 goals and 72 points a season ago. The 2012-13 Barrie blueline will be anchored in part by 19-year old Alex Lepkowski, who emerged as a top stay-at-home presence in last spring's playoffs. The two clubs will go back at it Monday night in Barrie.
Justin Kea did not point as Saginaw won 2-0 at London. The two-way Kea is competing for second line center duty this season behind Panthers prospect Vincent Trocheck. Sunday's game featured more fights than goals (three) as some bad blood spilled over from last spring's Western Conference semi-final. Jake Paterson (DET) earned the shutout for Spirit, who are now off until Thursday when they take on Sarnia.
In the WHL, Colin Jacobs did not play as Prince George buried Medicine Hat, 5-0. Chase Witala ('13) paced the Cougars with two goals and an assist. PG returns to action Friday when they host defending WHL champion Edmonton.
In Kravare, CZE, Linus Ullmark served as backup as Sweden defeated Finland 2-1 in overtime to win the Four Nations tourney. Sebastian Collberg (MON) roofed a shot in the first minute of the OT to push the Swedes to a 3-0 weekend mark. Ullmark will head back to Ornskoldsvik to join Modo J20 for Tuesday's tilt with Timra.
Linus Ullmark earned the win Saturday as Sweden U20 cruised to a dominating 10-2 victory over the Czech Republic at the Four Nations tournament in Kravare, CZE.
Ullmark, who began the trip serving as backup in the Swedes' 3-2 overtime win over Russia on Friday, went unbeaten for nearly two periods until the Czechs scored off a 5x3 power play with 1:21 left in the middle frame. The 6'3 netminder continued to be sharp when called upon until allowing a goal off a rebound with 4:57 left in the game. Elias Lindholm ('13), Sebastian Collberg (MON), Daniel Zaar (CBS), and Filip Sandberg (undrafted) each potted a pair of goals for the winners. The Swedes play Finland on Sunday to wrap the three-day event.
In Finland, Joel Armia went without a point as Assat defeated SEL opponent Vaxjo 4-3 in overtime. Former Sabres/Amerks forward Mike Ryan scored just 57-seconds into the extra time to corral the victory for Assat. Armia, who has spent most of the summer working on a mandatory military conscript, will now have more time to focus on the season after completing the bulk of his service. The Aces are off until Friday when they battle Ilves.
Linus Ullmark has left the Modo J20 to play for Team Sweden this weekend in a U20 four nations tournament in Kravare, Czech Republic. Team Sweden will play games against Russia (Friday), the Czech Republic (Saturday), and Finland (Sunday) in the three-day event. The same four nations will again convene in early November for another round of games.
Ullmark is coming off a 1-1 mark including a shutout in Modo's preseason visit to Gimo. He'll be sharing the nets with Joel Lassinantti, who earlier in the month joined Ullmark as the odd men out as Sweden put together their final roster for USA's National Junior Development Camp in Lake Placid, NY.
Other notables on Sweden's roster include fellow 2012 draft picks Sebastian Collberg (MON), Ludvig Bystrom (DAL), and Erik Karlsson (CAR), as well as 2013 draft prospects Elias Lindholm, Gustav Possler, Jacob de la Rose, and Linus Arnesson.
Finland's roster has yet to be confirmed but it is possible that Joel Armia remains in Pori for Assat's Saturday game against Vaxjo.
Linus Ullmark has been loaned to Mora IK of HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden's second-tier professional league. Ullmark had posted a 2.58 goals against average and .891 save percentage in two starts, both losses, for Modo J20 last weekend to open the 2012-13 SuperElit season. The loan comes on the heels of a injury to Mora netminder Ervins Mustukovs, who is expected to miss four to six weeks.
Linus Ullmark has left the Modo J20 to play for Team Sweden this weekend in a U20 four nations tournament in Kravare, Czech Republic. Team Sweden will play games against Russia (Friday), the Czech Republic (Saturday), and Finland (Sunday) in the three-day event. The same four nations will again convene in early November for another round of games.