Dan Catenacci scored his 23rd goal in regulation and then another in the shootout to help spark Owen Sound to a 5-4 come-from-behind win over Kingston. With the Attack trailing 4-2 in the third period, Catenacci buried a Cody Ceci rebound to cut the deficit in half. The Attack travel to Belleville on Saturday.
Brady Austin returned after missing two weeks with a hand injury as Belleville toppled Niagara 7-2 to earn their fourth straight victory. Tyler Graovac (MIN) and Brendan Gaunce (VAN) each got fat with a plus-six rating in the win.
Justin Kea (-1) was unable to point as Saginaw defeated Sault Ste. Marie 5-3. Kea, who has eight points in his last six games, will look to continue his excellent January when the Spirit tackle Erie on Saturday.
Alex Lepkowski finished with an even rating as Barrie dropped a 3-2 decision at Sudbury. The Colts take on Kitchener on Saturday.
In the WHL, Andrey Makarov made 27 saves as Saskatoon held on for a 5-4 win over Moose Jaw. The victory was Makarov's first in four starts since returning from the World Junior Championship. The Blades host Brandon on Saturday.
Colin Jacobs did not get in on the scoring as Prince George lost to Calgary 5-3. Jacobs continues to struggle in January, posting just one goal in seven games since flipping the calendar. The second-worst team in the league standings, PG will travel to Red Deer on Saturday.
In NCAA action, Jake McCabe finished plus-one as Wisconsin extended their winning streak to seven games and their unbeaten run to 11 with a 1-0 triumph over No. 8 Miami. Brad Navin did not factor for the Badgers, who will go for the home sweep on Saturday.
Christian Isackson continued to bounce around the lineup Friday, this time centering a checking line as Minnesota earned a 5-1 win over North Dakota. The Gophers will battle their rivals for the final time in the regular season as member of the WCHA on Saturday.
Joel Armia (-1) registered four shots on goal in 16:51 of work as Assat lost to the Espoo Blues 4-1. The two clubs will play it back on Saturday.
Judd Peterson (-1) went without a point as Cedar Rapids was trumped by Waterloo 7-3. The Junior A rookie will look to snap a four-game funk Saturday versus Sioux Falls.
Phil Varone scored a goal and an assist and Brian Flynn added his 13th goal as Rochester skated to a 4-1 victory over Syracuse. Evan Rankin andMark Mancari added the other Amerks tallies, while David Leggio made 26 stops to improve to 19-12-4-1 on the year.
Jerome Gauthier-Leduc was a healthy scratch following a career-low minus-four in Wednesday's loss to Binghamton.
The Amerks are off until Monday's 1:05 PM matinee with Hamilton.
The Rundown:
Varone: G, A, +2
Flynn: G
Sundher: A
Adam: A
Crawford: A, +2
Schiestel: +2
McNabb: even
Pysyk: SOG
Parker: even
Mikhail Grigorenko scored his 10th goal of the year as Quebec lost to Victoriaville 6-3. The goal extends Grigorenko's season-starting point streak to 11 games. The Remparts, who lost for just the second time this season, return to the ice Sunday at Drummondville.
Dan Catenacci (+3) notched a pair of assists as Owen Sound skated to a 4-1 triumph over Ottawa. Catenacci's brilliant, no-quit effort earned him the number one star honor. The Attack remain home for Saturday's game with Oshawa.
Justin Kea did not factor into the scoring as Saginaw clobbered Saginaw 6-1. Saginaw welcomes Guelph to town on Saturday.
Brady Austin was -1 as Belleville was defeated by Sudbury 3-2. The Bulls are off until Wednesday when they play Mississauga.
In the WHL, Andrey Makarov made 26 saves as Saskatoon came up short in a 2-1 loss to Swift Current. The Blades will look to get back on track Saturday versus Everett.
In the USHL, Judd Peterson was -2 with a roughing minor as Cedar Rapids held off Indiana to earn a 4-3 victory. Buffalo Jr. Sabres product Andrew Poturalski scored the game winning goal in his first-ever USHL game. The RoughRiders will travel to Indiana Saturday to complete the home-and-home series.
In NCAA play, Christian Isackson assisted on a Nick Bjugstad goal as #1 Minnesota dropped a 5-3 decision at Michigan Tech. The sophomore forward has points in all three Gopher tilts this season.
Mark Adams skated on the second defensive pair as Providence played to a 1-1 tie with Miami.
In Rochester, the Amerks dug themselves out of a two-goal deficit in the second period en route to earning a 4-3 win over Grand Rapids. Brian Flynn (first professional goal), T.J. Brennan, Phil Varone, and Marcus Foligno all scored for the Amerks.
Frederick Roy made his AHL debut, appearing on a line with Nick Tarnasky and Rick Schofield. The other units:
Luke Adam, Phil Varone, and Brayden McNabb all had goals as the Rochester Americans opened the 2012 preseason Wednesday with a 4-3 home-ice loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Mark Mancari compiled three assists in his first game back in an Amerks sweater since 2007-08, while rookie Mark Pysyk added a pair of helpers from the blueline. David Leggio made 28 saves for the Amerks, who will complete the home-and-home series with the Baby Penguins on Friday. We'll have more on the Amerks as the AHL regular season approaches.
Elsewhere, Logan Nelson assisted on the game winning goal as Victoria slipped past Medicine Hat 4-3 in overtime. The Royals overcame a 3-0 deficit en route to moving into first place in the B.C. Division. Victoria (4-1-0-0) returns to action Friday at Spokane.
Justin Kea picked up an assist as Saginaw dropped a 6-5 see-saw battle with Sault Ste. Marie. The power forward prospect has three points (1+2) through the Spirit's first five games. Saginaw will host Niagara on Friday.
Andrey Makarov made 24 saves as Saskatoon lost to Red Deer 5-3. After scoring the game's first goal, Saskatoon surrendered four unanswered to slip to fifth place in East Division. The first goal allowed was an absolute highlight-reel play by Matt Dumba (MIN), who slipped to his knees but maintained control of the puck before roofing a shot over Makarov's shoulder. The Blades will tangle with Swift Current on Friday.
In Sweden, Linus Ullmark made 15 stops as Mora IK was defeated by Orebro HK 5-3. Ullmark allowed four goals against including one of the power play before Orebro potted an empty-netter to seal the win. Mora gets back at it Sunday versus Karlskrona HK.
The Rochester Americans began the AHL playoffs this week, but have quickly found themselves in a 2-0 series hole after a pair of losses at division rival Toronto.
On Thursday, Phil Varone scored the game's first goal and added an assist but Jerry D'Amigo's second goal of the game with less than five minutes to play gave the Marlies a 4-3 victory in the opener. Marcus Foligno and T.J. Brennan added the Amerks other tallies, while David Leggio made 34 saves in his 24th straight start in the Rochester crease.
The Rundown:
Varone: G, A, 2 SOG
Foligno: G
Brennan: G, -1, 3 SOG
McNabb: even
Biega: A, -1
Crawford: A
Tropp: -1, 2 SOG
Adam: A, 2 SOG
It was deja vu on Saturday, as Foligno, Varone, and Brennan would again get the Rochester goals, but D'Amigo would again score his second of the game in the final minutes, this time with just under two to play, as Toronto skated to their second consecutive 4-3 victory.
The Rundown:
Foligno: G, A, +1, 2 SOG
Brennan: G, +2, 4 SOG
Varone: G, 3 SOG
Biega: A, +2, 2 SOG, 6 PIM
McNabb: A
Crawford: -1
Tropp: -1, 2 SOG
Adam: 2 SOG
The Amerks are now in the tough spot of needing to defeat the Marlies in three straight games to escape the best-of-five. Their first kick at staving off elimination comes with Monday's game #3 at the BCA.
In Sunday AHL action, Alex Biega scored the game winning goal with less than five minutes remaining in regulation to vault Rochester to their second straight win, 4-2 over Adirondack. The road win gives the Amerks 89 points, good for 10th in the AHL's Western Conference with just three games left to play.
David Leggio made 46 saves for his 26th win of the year but was somehow not among the game's three stars. Phil Varone, Evan Rankin, and Paul Szczechura scored the other Amerks goals.
Rochester will next host Grand Rapids on Tuesday with two key points on the line.
In the OHL, Alex Lepkowski finished +2 as Barrie bested Ottawa 3-2 in double overtime to even their series at one game apiece. Gregg Sutch missed his third straight game due to injury. Game #3 is Tuesday in Barrie.
Steven Shipley was held off the scoresheet as Niagara got past Brampton, 3-1. The IceDogs hold a 2-0 series lead with game #3 taking place Tuesday night in St. Catharines.
In Saturday playoff action, Mark Pysyk logged a -2 as Edmonton held on for a 4-3 win over Brandon. The Oil Kings now hold a 2-0 series lead in the WHL Eastern Conference semifinal with game #3 taking place Tuesday in Brandon. Kevin Sundher did not factor into any of the three Wheat Kings goals. The six-foot center has a goal and two assists in seven postseason tilts.
In the QMJHL, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc landed four shots on goal but could not register as Rimouski was shut out by Blainville-Boisbriand, 2-0. With no points in his last two games, Leduc slips to 4th in QMJHL playoff scoring for defensemen (4+4). The series is now tied at a game apiece with the teams heading back to Rimouski for Tuesday's game #3.
In the AHL, Phil Varone scored the game winner just 1:34 into the third period to give Rochester a 3-1 win over Hamilton. Even Rankin and Derek Whitmore also scored for the Amerks, who snapped a a five-game winless skid with four games remaining and the final Western Conference playoff spot still within range.
David Leggio made 25 saves in his 19th consecutive start in the Amerks crease.
The Rundown:
Varone: GWG, +2, 3 SOG
Crawford: A, +1
Foligno: 2 SOG
Adam: SOG
Szydlowski: SOG
Tropp: even
Biega: even
Fienhage: even
Jerome Gauthier-Leduc scored a goal and three assists Saturday as Rimouski got out to a commanding 2-0 series lead with an 8-5 win over Val-d'Or. The four-point night was the third of Leduc's 2011-12 year and first since early December. Cedrick Henley scored a goal and an assist for the Foreurs, who battled back from a 6-2 deficit to within one before the Nics closed it out with a pair of goals (including an empty netter) in the final two minutes of regulation. Game #3 is set for Tuesday in Val-d'Or.
Joel Armia (-1) sent five shots on goal as Assat was defeated for the second straight game by JYP, 2-1. The 6'3 wing competed hard after a disappointing effort in Thursday's opener, upping the physical ante early in hopes of setting a different tone. At one point he left the game after a collision with Sami Vatanen (below) but claimed during a second intermission interview that it was only to refill his sport drink. Assat now trails the series 2-0 with game #3 set for Monday in Jyvaskyla.
Dan Catenacci posted an assist as Owen Sound was defeated by Kitchener, 3-2. The defending OHL champion Attack, who played most of the game with just nine forwards, fall into a 2-0 series hole with game #3 coming Monday at Kitchener.
In the NCAA West Region semifinal, Brad Eidsness served as backup as #1 North Dakota defeated #4 Western Michigan, 3-1. The Sioux move on to a Sunday meeting with rival Minnesota, who advanced with a 7-3 win over Boston University. Gopher freshman Christian Isackson was a healthy scratch for the 10th straight game. UND defeated Minnesota last weekend for the right to play for the WCHA's automatic bid.
In AHL play, Phil Varone scored a goal and an assist in regulation and then secured the victory with the only marker in the shootout as Rochester earned a 4-3 win over Syracuse to get back into the final Western Conference playoff spot.
Vets Evan Rankin and Paul Szczechura netted the other Amerks goals, while David Leggio made 31 stops and another five in the shootout for his 24th win of the year.
The Rundown:
Varone: G, A, +1
Biega: 2A, +2
Brennan: A, +2
Lagace: -1
Adam: 4 SOG
McNabb: -2
Persson: -2
Szydlowski: -1
The Amerks will next play at Albany on Wednesday morning.
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.
When Phil Varone was brought in as a d-camp invite last summer, pundits thought it was a way to replace the skating and distribution skills that exited the system when Paul Byron was shipped to Calgary.
After accumulating 43 points in his first 63 professional games on an AHL deal, the Sabres decided to further their investment Monday by announcing that they've come to terms on a three-year entry-level deal with the talented pivot.
Varone (5’10”, 186 lbs., 12/4/90) currently leads the Rochester Americans (AHL) with 43 points (8+35) and two shorthanded goals in 63 games this season. His 35 assists rank him fourth among all AHL rookies and tie for 15th-most among all skaters. Varone is ranked 12th among AHL rookies in total scoring.
The Vaughan, Ont. native joined the Americans after recording a career-high 82 points (34 goals, 48 assists) in just 59 games last season with London and Erie of the Ontario Hockey League. In five OHL seasons with Kitchener, London and Erie, Varone finished his junior career with 230 points (78+152) in 228 games. He also totaled 34 points (14+20) in 26 career OHL playoff contests.
Varone had four points (2+2) for the Sabres in the 2011 Traverse City NHL Prospects Tournament, helping the Sabres prospects to a tournament championship win. He signed a one-year AHL contract with the Americans in September after attending training camp with the Sabres.
In Friday AHL play, goals by Brayden McNabb and Luke Adam got Rochester out to a 2-0 lead, but Grand Rapids struck three times in the third to overcome the Amerks, 4-3. The loss snaps a three-game winning streak for the Sabres farmhands.
McNabb gave Rochester a 1-0 lead when he jumped into the slot to beat Ty Conklin for his fourth of the year at 14:54 of the first.
At 1:51 of the second, Rochester gained the two-goal lead when Adam scarfed up a rebound for his first goal in an Amerks sweater.
After the Griffins cashed three straight tallies, T.J. Brennan added his 12th of the year on the power play to tie the game with under seven minutes to play.
Francis Pare answered for Grand Rapids three minutes later to cap the scoring.
David Leggio finished with 28 saves in defeat, while Phil Varone picked up a pair of assists for his seventh multi-point game of the year.
The Amerks will be in Toronto on Saturday to begin a back-to-back set with the first place Marlies.
***
In the ECHL, Corey Fienhage scored in part of a four-goal third period as Gwinneett as poured it on last to earn an 8-6 win over Trenton. Matt MacKenzie (7 SOG) and Riley Boychuk picked up assists in the win, while Jonathan Parker logged a -3 rating.
Igor Gongalsky capped off a 15-round shootout Saturday as Rochester soldiered to a 4-3 win over Lake Erie. T.J. Brennan scored his 10th and 11th goals of the year in regulation, while Brayden McNabb added a goal and an assist to help the Amerks to their third straight win.
Phil Varone assisted on all three Amerks goals to give him 31 points in his last 33 games. He and Marcus Foligno scored the other shootout goals.
David Leggio was excellent for the second straight night, making 22 saves in regulation and then another 13 in the shootout to secure his 18th victory.
The Rundown:
Brennan: 2G, 2 SOG
McNabb: G, A, 3 SOG
Foligno: A, SHOG
Adam: 2 SOG
Lagace: fighting major
Crawford: -1
The Amerks (26-21-6-3, 61 points, 2nd in North Division) resume play on Friday with a visit to Grand Rapids.
Dan Catenacci continued his recent surge Saturday with his 29th goal of the year as Owen Sound earned a 5-4 overtime win at Windsor. The speedy pivot, who broke the game's seal at 3:08 of the first period, has been on a tear with nine goals and 16 points in his last 10 games. Chris Marchese ('12) had a goal and an assist for the Spits. Winners of six straight, the Attack will continue their three-games-in-three-nights run through the Western Division on Sunday at Saginaw.
Connor Knapp was again sharp in the crease, stopping 28 of 29 shots as Miami earned the weekend sweep with a 4-1 win over Notre Dame. The 6'6 senior has racked up 10 wins in his last 12 starts to improve to 11-6 with a 1.65 GAA and .934 save percentage. The RedHawks will finish the CCHA regular season schedule next weekend with a home-and-home with Ohio State.
Colin Jacobs returned from a one-game absence to score his eighth goal of the year as Seattle got pummeled by Portland, 11-2. The 6'1 center scored on the wraparound at 17:25 of the third. On the very next shift, he gave the puck up at the blueline to allow the Winterhawks the chance to get their 11th of the game. The T-Birds host Spokane on Sunday.
Brad Eidsness made 23 saves as North Dakota played to 1-1 overtime tie with Michigan Tech. The weekend marked the first back-to-back WCHA starts since March of 2010 for Eidsness, who has held firm in limited duty this season with a 5-2-1 record, 1.92 goals against average, and .926 save percentage. The Sioux return to action next weekend at Denver.
Jerome Gauthier-Leduc finished -1 as Rimouski dropped a 2-1 overtime decision at Cape Breton. With 10 games remaining on the regular season schedule, the 6'1 righty continues to lead all QMJHL defensemen with 62 points (24+38). He has zero goals in his last six games, and just 10 points since January 1st. The Oceanic will remain in Sydney for Sunday's afternoon rematch with the Eagles.
Justin Jokinen notched a secondary assist on the game-tying goal with just 2:04 to play as Minnesota State and Minnesota-Duluth skated to a 4-4 tie. The senior forward has four assists in his last six games while going without a goal in his last dozen. Of his 13 points (3+10) this season, zero have come on the power play. The Mavericks will take next weekend off before closing the WCHA schedule at North Dakota.
Gregg Sutch got into his fifth scrap of the year and Alex Lepkowski was +1 as Barrie downed Oshawa, 5-1. With the Colts holding a 3-0 lead late in the third period, the 6'2 Sutch tangled with 6'2 Josh Graves, getting the better of the Generals forward on the punchstat. The Colts travel to Oshawa on Monday.
Steven Shipley was held without a point as Niagara pitched a 3-1 shutout of Sault Ste. Marie. With 16 goals and 21 assists, the 6'3 center will need to average over a point-per-game in the final dozen games to equal his point output from last season. The Dogs will welcome the Greyhounds back to St. Catharines on Thursday.
Nathan Lieuwen allowed four goals on 24 shots as Kootenay lost to Regina, 4-2. Regina's Chandler Stephenson ('12) broke a 2-2 tie on the power play with 4:03 left before the Pats added another late mark in the waning seconds. Despite the less than sparkling performance, the 6'5 stopper remains atop the WHL leaderboard with a 2.32 goals against average. The ICE will travel to Brandon on Tuesday.
Kevin Sundher missed his third game with an upper body injury as the Wheat Kings defeated Prince Albert, 6-2. Brandon will ride a four-game winning streak into Tuesday's meeting with the ICE.
Drew MacKenzie finished -1 while going without a shot on goal for the first time in 16 games as Vermont lost to New Hampshire, 3-1. The Catamounts are back at it Friday when they host Boston University.
Brad Navin was unable to get a shot on net for the second straight night as Wisconsin downed Denver, 5-2. The freshman left wing has recorded just one assist in his last 12 games. The Badgers will be on the road again next weekend when they travel to Bemidji State.
Mark Adams was scratched as Providence and Northeastern played to a 2-2 tie. The weekend ends without a win or loss in both games for the Friars, who will ready themselves for Friday's tilt with Boston College.
Christian Isackson was scratched for the second straight game as Minnesota skated to a 4-1 win over Bemidji State. The Gophers will pay a visit to Nebraska-Omaha next weekend.
***
In AHL play, Phil Varone scored a shorthanded goal midway through the third period for the only Amerks offensive highlight in a 3-1 loss at Lake Erie. The tally, Varone's eighth of the year and 26th point in his last 30 games, elevates the rookie into the team's scoring lead.
The Amerks will close out their three-game weekend on Sunday when they welcome division rival Hamilton to the BCA.
***
In the ECHL, Shawn Szydlowski scored his first professional goal as Gwinnett took a 4-3 shootout win over Kalamazoo. On Friday, Szydlowski, Riley Boychuk, and Jonathan Parker all picked up assists in their first games since being re-assigned as the Gladiators defeated Chicago, 4-3.
In Saturday AHL action, Paul Szczechura's overtime winner capped his four-point night to lead the Amerks to 5-4 win over Syracuse. Brayden McNabb and Marcus Foligno each chipped in with pairs of assists in the win to extend their point streaks to four games.
Trailing 4-2 entering the third period, the Amerks started the comeback by clicking on their only power play of the night when Travis Turnbull redirected Drew Schiestel's point shot at 7:49.
It was all Szczechura from there, as the center forced the extra session with his second goal of the night with under five minutes left in regulation before cashing in OT for his first career hat trick. The four points ties his career high. McNabb drew the lone assist on both the tying and winning marks.
With a one-time goal in the second period, Phil Varone has now earned a point in 14 of his last 20 games.
Drew McIntyre made 33 saves to improve to 7-11-0-2 on the year.
The Rundown:
Foligno: 2A, +4, 6 SOG
McNabb: 2A, +3
Schiestel: A
Lagace: A
Crawford: A, -1
Parker: 3 SOG
Szydlowski: 1 SOG
Persson: -1
***
On Friday, the Amerks were defeated 3-2 in overtime by visiting Abbotsford to split the back-to-back set. Szczechura and Igor Gongalsky had the Amerks goals.
The Rundown:
Foligno: A
McNabb: +1
Schiestel: -1, 2 SOG
Lagace: -1, 2 SOG
Crawford: -1
Parker: even
Persson: +1
In Saturday action, Kevin Sundher extended his point streak to 12 games with an assist, but Victoria suffered their ninth straight defeat with a 4-3 shootout loss to Kelowna. Both streaks are newsworthy, but it's how Sundher ended the game that had people talking afterwards.
Amidst a high level of frustration, Sundher missed the shootout after getting tossed for attempting to headbutt a taunting Shane McColgan at the end of OT. The two previously came together for offsetting roughing minors as buzzer sounded to end regulation. With his name swirling as perhaps the hottest WHL trade commodity (unless Team Canada scorer Mark Stone is somehow put on the block) and the Royals not taking the ice again until Friday, the game would certainly be a most interesting way for Sundher, the franchise's all-time leading point-getter, to close out his time in Victoria.
Elsewhere, Steven Shipley scored his 11th goal of the year as Niagara doubled Sarnia, 4-2. The 6'3 Shipley has six goals and 14 points in his last 10 games. The Dogs are off until Thursday when they host Barrie.
Mark Pysyk returned from the World Junior Championship and scored his third goal of the year as Edmonton downed Swift Current, 5-3. The 6'2 defender came down the left side late in the second period and stuffed the puck past the Broncos goaltender for his 19th point of the year. The Oil Kings will be in action Sunday when they host Red Deer.
In NCAA play, Drew MacKenzie scored his sixth goal of the year as Vermont dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to Massachusetts at Frozen Fenway. The power play marker extends MacKenzie's career-best point streak to six games. The Catamounts return home next weekend to face Lowell on Friday and Providence on Sunday.
Justin Jokinen avenged a costly penalty the night before by scoring the game winning goal as Minnesota State earned a 3-1 win over Saint Lawrence and a split of their non-league set. The goal, Jokinen's third of the year, was his first game winner since 10/10/08 against Bemidji State.
Connor Knapp made 20 saves for the ninth shutout of his career as Miami swept Michigan State with a 4-0 win. The senior netminder, whose record improved to 5-4, appeared in back-to-back contests for the first time since last January (1/22, 1/28). The RedHawks travel to Lake Superior State next weekend.
Dan Catenacci collected three assists as Owen Sound got past Brampton with a 4-3 overtime win. The speedy center earned helpers on consecutive shifts in the early second as the Attack snatched a 2-1 lead before earning a secondary on the OT winner. The Attack are off until Friday's tilt with Erie.
Nathan Lieuwen stopped 19 of 22 shots as Kootenay was beaten by Moose Jaw, 3-1. The 6'5 keeper has won just three of his last 10 starts (since December 1st) to dip to 17-10-1-2 on the year. The ICE will end the weekend with a Sunday meeting with Medicine Hat.
Colin Jacobs was -1 as Seattle lost to Spokane, 4-2. After missing 26 games while recovering from shoulder surgery, the 6'1 center has gathered fur points (3+1) in his first dozen games of the 2011-12 season. The T-Birds are off until Friday when they visit Kamloops.
Alex Lepkowski finished -1 as Barrie lost to London, 3-2. Colts forward Gregg Sutch missed his fourth straight game with a head injury despite rumors that he had passed his concussion test earlier in the week. The Colts return to action Sunday at Kingston.
In the QMJHL, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc logged a +1 as Rimouski won a 3-2 shootout decision over Baie-Comeau. The QMJHL's leading defensive point-getter, Leduc has gone two games without getting on the scoresheet for the fourth time this season. The Nics are off until Friday when they'll tangle with Rouyn-Noranda.
Brad Navin was even as Wisconsin edged RIT, 2-1. The 6'2 freshman has two goals and two assists through his first 19 collegiate games. The Badgers travel to Mankato next weekend for a WCHA set with Minnesota State.
Christian Isackson did not play as Minnesota lost to Notre Dame, 4-3. The Gophers will play a key WCHA set with North Dakota.
Brad Eidsness served as back-up as North Dakota defeated Clarkson 3-1 at MTS Center in Winnipeg. The senior has started just three of North Dakota's 21 games this season.
***
In the AHL, Phil Varone scored a pair of goals including the game-winner as Rochester defeated Binghamton, 3-2. Varone extends his career-best point streak to six games. He has a ways to go before eclipsing the 16-gamer he posted a year ago while with Erie of the OHL.
Zack Kassian notched an assist in his first AHL game since November 19th, while Shawn Szydlowski added a career-high four shots on goal.
The Amerks close the weekend with a battle against longtime rival Hershey on Sunday.
In Saturday AHL action, Corey Tropp scored his fourth goal of the season as Rochester's winless skid hit five games with a 3-1 loss to Binghamton.
Brayden McNabb and Phil Varone earned assists on Tropp's even-strength marker, while 2010-11 AHL All-Star Drew Schiestel returned to the lineup after missing eight games with a knee injury.
The Amerks missed an opportunity to enact some revenge on the group that knocked them out of the playoffs a season ago while wearing the colors of the Portland Pirates.
The Buffalo Sabres have invited former OHL standout Phil Varone to participate in this week's summer development camp. A heady player with excellent hands and vision, the 20-year old Varone is in the job market after not being offered a contract by the San Jose Sharks, who had previously selected him in the fifth round of the 2009 draft.
Varone, a 5'10, 180-pound center, scored 34 goals and 82 points (t21st in OHL) this past season with Erie before leading the club with three goals and 10 assists in the Otters' first round loss to the Windsor Spitfires. The spralkling post-season performance came two years removed from his initial playoff revelation when he potted 10 goals and 19 points in 14 games for a loaded London Knights club that included John Tavares, Nazem Kadri, John Carlson, and Michael Del Zotto.
After mid-season shoulder surgery limited his 2009-10 campaign to just 31 games (9+22), London shipped the overage Varone to Erie last October for a pair of draft picks. His productive tenure with the Otters kept him on the pro radar, but it seems that his below-average size and perhaps injury concerns made the Sharks apprehensive about using a contract on the talented center. Varone re-entered the 2011 draft but was not picked.
Varone, the Otters 2010-11 MVP, has the key components for an organizational depth role. He is an excellent leader, a good distributor, and a clutch shooter. He's not ultra aggressive but he's tough, and has a history of elevating the play of his linemates.
The Sabres could use an offensive spark on the farm after trading Paul Byron to Calgary so perhaps they see Varone as hard-working creator that can step right in while awaiting the development of their current CHL crop. Two of last year's AHL centers, Matt Ellis and Brian Roloff, are currently free agents while a third, Travis Turnbull, was recently tendered a qualifying offer to continue his work in Rochester for the 2011-12 season.
