Someone is looking rather confident after his World Junior Championship experience, wouldn't you say?
Joel Armia notched his 10th goal of the year Saturday to help steer Assat to a 5-3 win over Lukko. In a case of Sabres future meeting Sabres past, the 6'3 wing beat Mika Noronen on the power play to get the Aces on the board at 2:05 of the opening period. A week-and-a-half removed from his World Junior stick-ride, Armia celebrated the goal by motioning to the Lukko faithful.
Armia has picked up right where he left off before the U20s, scoring goals in two straight games since his return while working his way into more ice time. He now has eight goals and 13 points in his last 14 games, and a line of 10-10-20 in 33 appearances this season.
Like it or hate it, the 18-year old is showing plenty of moxie as he elevates his play.
Connor Knapp made 25 saves Friday to earn his fourth consecutive win as Miami defeated #19 Lake Superior State, 2-1. The reigning CCHA Goaltender of the Week has started all three of Miami's games since the Christmas break, stopping 78 of 80 shots to guide the unranked RedHawks to a much needed winning streak. It's expected that Miami bench boss Enrico Blasi will continue to ride the 6'6 senior when the RedHawks look for the road sweep of the Lakers on Saturday.
Drew MacKenzie extended his career-high point streak to seven games with a pair of assists as Vermont upset #11 Lowell 3-2 in overtime. With his first multi-point game of the season (he had four last year), the 6'2 defenseman now has six goals and 14 points in 19 games. The Catamounts host Providence on Sunday.
Dan Catenacci set up the game winning goal as Owen Sound defeated Erie, 3-1. The 5'10 center has five assists in four January games, and a total of 48 points through 42 regular season tilts.The Attack and Otters will do it again on Saturday.
Kevin Sundher finished -3 as Brandon dropped a 5-4 decision to Red Deer. The 6'0 center has yet to record a point in two games (both losses) since being traded from Victoria prior to the WHL deadline. The WHL's #2 assist man, Sundher has also yet to earn first line time for the 8th place Wheat Kings. Sundher will get a chance to play against his former mates on Saturday when Brandon hosts Victoria.
Jerome Gauthier-Leduc picked up a power play assist as Rimouski needed the shootout to down Rouyn-Noranda, 4-3. Leduc, who was stopped in his shootout attempt, has two goals and two assists in his last eight games. He continues to lead all QMJHL defensemen with 21 goals and 54 points.
Colin Jacobs assisted on his team's only goal as Seattle was hammered by Kamloops, 7-1. Playing his 13th game of the year on Friday the 13th, Jacobs has five points since returning from offseason shoulder surgery. The T-Birds resume play on Saturday against Portland.
Cedrick Henley posted one shot on goal as Val-d'Or was throttled by Victoriaville, 6-1. After collecting six points (3+3) in two games, the 6'5 wing has failed to get on the scoresheet in his last two outings.
Steven Shipley finished +1 as Niagara dropped Sudbury, 5-2. The IceDogs do battle with Barrie on Saturday.
Brad Navin recorded a shot on goal in third-line minutes as Wisconsin blanked Minnesota State, 4-0. Justin Jokinen was -1 for the Mavericks. The two clubs will play it back on Saturday.
Brad Eidsness served as backup for the seventh straight game as North Dakota got past rival Minnesota, 2-1. Christian Isackson was a healthy scratch for the Gophers.
***
In Friday AHL action, Rochester continued to struggle against North Division foes with a 2-1 overtime loss to Toronto. The Sabres farmhands are now winless in four tries against the Marlies.
The Amerks were outshot 41-26 in the contest, with David Leggio's 39 saves earning him the game's #2 star. Travis Turnbull scored the lone Rochester goal on the period power play. Alex Biega and Mark Voakes picked up assists.
The Amerks will try to right their divisional struggles on Saturday when they host a Hamilton Bulldogs club that has beaten them in six of seven games this season.
Joel Armia scored his ninth goal of the year Wednesday as Assat lost to SaiPa, 3-1. The 6'3 wing, who lit the lamp from low near the paint, was making his return to the Aces lineup after a successful World Junior Championship that saw him collect five goals and seven points for fourth place Finland. With seven goals and five assists in his last 13 SM-liiga contests, Armia will look to maintain his progress on Saturday when Assat travels to Lukko.
Elsewhere, Nathan Lieuwen made 29 saves before making another three stops in the shootout as Kootenay defeated Red Deer, 2-1. The 6'5 tender is now 3-1 in the month of January with a .949 save percentage. It's likely that he'll get a chance to earn his 20th win of the season on Saturday when the ICE visit Edmonton.
Kevin Sundher made his Brandon Wheat Kings debut but saw his 12-game point streak snapped in a 2-0 loss to Saskatoon. The six-foot center had previously amassed 20 points (4+16) in his final dozen games in a Victoria Royals uniform. Sundher will look to begin a new streak when the Wheat Kings host Red Deer on Friday.
The WHL's Victoria Royals announced Monday that they have traded Kevin Sundher to the Brandon Wheat Kings for two players (Dakota Conroy, Jordan Fransoo) and a first round draft pick in the 2012 WHL draft. Chosen by the Sabres in the third round of the 2010 draft, Sundher currently ranks 7th in WHL scoring with 64 points (22+42) through 40 games (21 multi-point efforts). He signed his entry-level contract with the Sabres on December 15th.
For Sundher, the writing has been on the wall since he inked his deal with Buffalo. The Royals entered the trade deadline mired in a nine-game losing streak and were likely going to be given an opportunity to gain assets in exchange for a player who will be playing professionally in the fall. He leaves Victoria as the franchise's all-time leading scorer with 90 goals and 241 points in 255 career games.
With that behind him, Sundher now gets to travel a thousand miles east to Manitoba to finish off his junior career. The speedster is likely to be the Wheat Kings #1 center, giving him an opportunity to play alongside Team Canada scorer Mark Stone, and likely increasing his chances of becoming the Sabres first 100-point prospect since Dylan Hunter hit it big with London in 2005-06.
Sundher will make his Wheat Kings debut Wednesday in Brandon against the Saskatoon Blades.
Click below for Sundher's 2011-12 highlight playlist.
Zack Kassian scored a pair of goals Sunday and added an assist - all in the third period - as Rochester lost a 4-3 shootout battle to longtime foe Hershey. Kassian, who added the lone Amerks goal in the shootout, now has four points in two games since returning to the AHL. It was the first three-point night of his professional career.
Trailing 2-0 after two periods, the Amerks came on strong in the final frame to make it a game. Kassian got the ball rolling with his eighth of the year on the power play just 15-seconds in. Minutes later, T.J. Brennan potted his seventh goal of the year to knot the game 2-2. The Bears would get the lead back before Kassian's second of the night with 1:01 left in regulation forced the OT.
The Rundown:
Kassian: 2G, SHOG, A, 5 SOG
Brennan: G, +1, 4 SOG
Foligno: A, +1, 3 SOG
Biega: A, 3 SOG
Tropp: -1
Schiestel: -1
Szydlowski: 1 SOG
Lagace: even
The Amerks are off until Friday when they host divisional rival Toronto.
***
Elsewhere, Nathan Lieuwen made 31 saves to guide Kootenay to a 3-1 win over Medicine Hat. The ICE travel to Red Deer on Wednesday.
Alex Lepkowski logged a -1 as Barrie downed Kingston, 5-3. Gregg Sutch missed his fifth straight game with a head injury. Barrie is off until Thursday when they take on Niagara.
Cedrick Henley recorded three shots on goal as Val-d'Or surprised Quebec, 2-1. The Foreurs will next play on Friday at Victoriaville.
Mark Pysyk finished even as Edmonton lost to Red Deer, 4-3. The Oil Kings travel to Medicine Hat on Thursday.
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.
Cedrick Henley scored a shorthanded goal and added two assists Friday as Val-d'Or rode a strong third period to a 6-4 win over Drummondville. The game's #2 star, Henley knotted the score then set up the game winner in a span of three minutes midway through the third period en route to racking up his second consecutive three-point effort. The 6'5 captain led all players with four hits. Les Foreurs resume play on Sunday against Quebec.
Steve Shipley scored his 10th goal of the year as Niagara earned a 4-3 shootout decision over Owen Sound. With the game tied 1-1 in the third, Shipley followed-up on a breakaway to bury a rebound. Daniel Catenacci saw his three-game point streak snapped but did record his first fighting major of the year in the early third when he engaged Dogs forward Andrew Agozzino in front of the Attack net. Both clubs will go again on Saturday, with the Dogs hosting Sarnia and Owen Sound welcoming Brampton.
Colin Jacobs scored a penalty shot goal, his third of the year, as Seattle was handled by Tri-City, 7-3. Jacobs' five-hole tally allowed the T-Birds to pull within 5-2 at the end of the second period. The #1 team in this week's CHL rankings, the Ams have now won 12 straight games. Seattle battles Spokane on Saturday.
Kevin Sundher notched two assists as Victoria came up short in a 5-2 loss to Kelowna. The pair of helpers extend the speedy center's point streak to 11 games. Sundher remains the subject of heavy trade rumors at the WHL deadline. The Royals and Rockets will close the weekend series Saturday in Victoria.
Jerome Gauthier-Leduc (4 SOG) saw a three-game point streak come to an end as Rimouski was upended by Baie-Comeau, 3-2. The two clubs will play again on Saturday.
In college play, Connor Knapp was excellent in making 33 saves as Miami edged Michigan State in overtime, 2-1. The 6'6 senior has now won three of his last four starts (going back to the end of November). It's unclear if Knapp, who hasn't played in back-to-back games since last January, will get the nod again in Saturday's rematch.
Brad Navin contributed one shot on goal as Wisconsin doubled RIT, 6-3. Rochester native Mark Zengerle picked up two assists for the Badgers to extend his point streak to an impressive 18 games. Wisconsin will try for the non-conference sweep on Saturday.
Justin Jokinen (-1) recorded three shots on goal as Minnesota State was nipped by St. Lawrence, 4-3. With his team leading 3-2 with six minutes left in the third, the senior forward took a high sticking penalty that resulted in the Saints tying the game on the power play. SLU would add another just 1:16 later to get the win. The teams will play again on Saturday.
***
In AHL play, Rochester got regulation goals from Derek Whitmore, Phil Varone, and Maxime Legault, but was outpunched in an eight-round shootout to finish with a 4-3 loss to Wilke-Barre/Scranton. Jonathan Parker and Paul Szczechura lit the lamp in the shootout before Eric Tangradi clinched it for the Baby Pens.
Varone, a 20-year old signed to an AHL contract during training camp, scarfed up a Marcus Foligno rebound to extend his point streak to five straight games.
The Rundown:
Foligno: A, +1
Szydlowski: A, +1
Tropp: A
Finley: +2
Schiestel: +1
Persson: +1
Lagace: 1 SOG
Biega: -1, 2 SOG
Crawford: -1
Parker: -1
***
In the lone Thursday game, Mark Adams was -3 as Providence played to a 4-4 tie with Massachusetts. The Friars will next host UNH on Wednesday.
Jerome Gauthier-Leduc scored his 21st goal of the year Wednesday as Rimouski was lumped by Shawinigan, 8-3. The league leading goal total for defensemen gives the 6'2 righty a new career best. Rimouski battles Baie-Comeau on Friday.
Elsewhere, Nathan Lieuwen made 33 saves as Kootenay handled Swift Current, 5-1. The 6'5 stopper, who surrendered the goal off a power play deflection, gets his first win since December 16th to move to 17-9-1-2 on the year. The ICE welcome Moose Jaw to town on Saturday.
Drew MacKenzie extended his point streak to a career-high five games with an assist as Vermont was defeated by Maine, 3-1. On Saturday, the Catamounts will travel to Fenway Park for an outdoor tilt with U-Mass.
Alex Lepkowski finished -1 as Barrie lost to Sudbury, 5-3. Gregg Sutch missed his third straight game for the Colts, who move on to face London on Saturday.
Colin Jacobs finished -1 as Seattle lost to Everett, 5-2. The Thunderbirds return to action Friday at Tri-City.
Joel Armia continued to show his offensive potential Tuesday, netting a regulation goal and another in the shootout as Finland suffered a 3-2 loss to Sweden in the World Junior Championship semifinal. The Finns will now play for the bronze medal on Thursday against Canada, giving them an opportunity to exact revenge after the 8-1 whopping at the hands of the hosts in the tourney opener.
Armia, who was again working well beneath the goal line and getting to the front of the net, notched his fifth goal of the tournament at 15:30 of the middle frame to give Finland a 2-1 lead heading into the second intermission.
With the goal holding up well into the third, it looked as if Armia would again be the hero until Sweden's Max Friberg struck with 1:44 to play in regulation to send the game to overtime. The clubs would endure a back-and-forth affair in the 10-minute OT before entering a three-round shootout to decide who'd play for gold.
Armia came down as the Finns first shooter, making a quick fake before snapping a shot off the post to even things at a goal apiece. Armia celebrated the goal by mockingly "riding his stick" past the Swedish bench after Friberg did the same in pool play against the Swiss.
The 6'3 wing enters the bronze medal game with five goals on 18 shots (27.8%) to go along with two assists and a +2 rating.
In the second semifinal, Mark Pysyk sent four shots on goal as Canada couldn't cap an exciting comeback in a 6-5 loss to Russia. The Russians held a 6-1 lead after two periods before holding on for dear life in the final twenty as the Canadians exploded with four goals over a five minute stretch. Pysyk, who again manned the right side of Canada's bottom pair, executed perhaps the biggest open-ice hit of his career when he put Yaroslav Kosov on his back midway through the third. (Kosov was hunched over holding his shoulder as he left ice.) The steady stay-at-homer is one of just two Canadian skaters who've yet to register a point in the tourney.
***
In CHL play, Kevin Sundher earned an assist to extend his point streak to 10 games as Victoria was hammered by Calgary, 9-4. The subject of several WHL rumors with the January 10th trade deadline looming, Sundher also recorded his first fighting major of the year late in game when he tangled with 6'1 Brady Brassart. The six-footer is currently tied with Emerson Etem for 4th in league scoring with 61 points (22+39).
Joel Armia scored his fourth goal of the World Junior Championship Monday as Finland secured a spot in the semifinals with an 8-5 win over Slovakia. The Finns will battle rival Sweden on Tuesday with the winner facing one of Russia or Canada for gold.
Armia got the Finns on the board at 4:29 of the opening period when he circled behind the net and quickly threw a pass from the side that deflected off a Slovak defender past netminder Juraj Bindoch. Armia, who added a high sticking penalty and seven shots on goal to his game card, continued to show his stickhandling ability with some nice moves near the net while using his big frame to protect the puck along the wall. The 6'3 wing has amassed six points in the tourney to go along with 12 shots on goal and a +2 rating.
In the WHL, Nathan Lieuwen served as backup for the third time in the last four games as Kootenay suffered a 7-2 loss at Lethbridge. Lieuwen enters 2012 off a rough December that saw him go 2-5 with 3.56 goals against average and .876 save percentage.
On Sunday, Daniel Catenacci posted an assist as Owen Sound lost to Oshawa, 4-3. The 5'10 center enters Friday's game at Niagara as the Attack's second leading scorer with 20 goals and 44 points.
Mark Adams had a shot on goal as Providence lost the 26th annual Mayor's Cup to Brown, 5-2. The Friars resume their Hockey East schedule on Thursday when they host Massachusetts.
Alex Lepkowski scored his fourth goal of the year Thursday as Barrie earned a 4-3 shootout win over Brampton. The 6'4 defender has seven points in 22 games this season. Entering the year, he had seven points in 92 career OHL tilts. Colts forward Gregg Sutch did not play after being scratched with a head injury.
Nathan Lieuwen made 21 saves as Kootenay stumbled to a 4-2 loss at Red Deer. Despite winning just two of his last eight starts, the 6'5 netminder remains among WHL leaders with a 2.18 goals against average (2nd) and .923 save percentage (3rd).
At the Catamount Cup, Drew MacKenzie scored late on the power play as host Vermont continued their disappointing year with a 5-3 loss to Lake Superior State. The senior defenseman has five goals through his first 15 games. Last year, MacKenzie scored five times in 34 contests.
At the 2012 World Junior Championship, Mark Pysyk (+1, 1 SOG) was unable to get in on the scoring as Canada blew past Denmark, 10-2. Through three tourney games, Pysyk is +4 with three shots on goal while being one of two Canadian skaters who has yet to record a point in the tourney (Jamie Oleksiak the other).
Jerome Gauthier-Leduc scored his 20th goal of the year Wednesday as Rimouski lost to Chicoutimi, 6-4. Leduc's 20 goals tie his previous career best set in 2009-10, while his 51 points in 35 games continues to lead all QMJHL rearguards. Rimouski will welcome Quebec to town on Friday.
Gregg Sutch cashed a power play one-timer just 1:28 in but Barrie could not hold on in a 4-2 loss to Sudbury. Sutch now has seven goals and 15 points in 34 games. Barrie defenseman Alex Lepkowski finished the night at -2. The Colts, playing without forwards Mark Scheifele and Tanner Pearson who are away with Team Canada, will host Brampton on Thursday.
Cedrick Henley tested out his recently healed thumb by logging his third fighting major of the year in Val-d'Or's 5-3 loss to Gatineau. Henley, who also earned an instigator and misconduct on the play, will look for his first point since November 18th on Friday when the Foreurs host Rouyn-Noranda.
Steven Shipley picked up a power play assist in his old barn as Niagara edged Owen Sound, 2-1. The helper gives the 6'3 forward a new career high with points in six straight games. Shipley scored 39 goals and 102 points with the Attack from 2008-2010. Dan Catenacci assisted on the lone Attack tally to give him 41 points on the year. The IceDogs move on to face Mississauga on Friday. The Attack will travel to Kitchener.
Kevin Sundher notched two assists to extend his season-high point streak to eight games as Victoria was doubled by Portland, 6-3. Sundher, who has 19 multi-point efforts this season, has amassed 21 goals and 57 points in 36 games. The Royals will look to avenge the loss when the clubs play it back on Friday.
Colin Jacobs was -1 with a shootout miss as Seattle lost to Everett, 4-3. Jacobs now has two goals, an assist, and a -4 rating in seven games since returning from shoulder surgery. Seattle will host Moose Jaw on Friday.
***
At the World Junior Championship, Mark Pysyk was +1 as Canada pitched a 5-0 shutout over the Czech Republic. The steady defender saw time with Nathan Beaulieu and Jamie Oleksiak on the Nats bottom pair. Canada will to keep their winning streak in tact on Friday against Denmark.
***
In AHL play, the Amerks rode a two-goal night from Jacob Lagace to their second straight win over the Barons, 4-3 in a shootout. Lagace added a mark in the shootout, while Jonathan Parker and T.J. Brennan (winner) also scored in the deciding frame to ice the victory.
Brennan also scored in regulation to give him six goals on the year and a six-game point streak heading into Friday's tilt with Hamilton.
Marcus Foligno and Phil Varone each contributed a pair of assists for the Amerks (15-12-4-1).
The Rundown:
Lagace: 2G, SHO G, 5 SOG, +3
Brennan: G, SHO GWG, 5 SOG
Foligno: 2A, +3
Parker: SHO G
Schiestel: A, +2
Biega: A, -1, 2 SOG
Crawford: even
Boychuk: 4 PIM
Szydlowski: -1
Persson: +2
Joel Armia scored two goals including the game winner Wednesday and added an assist as Finland shook off a loss in their World Junior Championship opener with a 4-1 victory over Team USA. The win was the Finns first over the Americans in six years at the U20 tourney.
Armia (#10) was excellent in keying the Finnish offense. After a scoreless first, the 6'3 wing absorbed a hit to advance the puck deep, went to the front of the net, and won a battle below the goal line against two USA defenders to assist on Finland's first goal just 81 seconds into the middle frame.
After USA tied the game in the early third, Armia would show deadly transition skills by accepting a pass and gaining enough separation to break in and score the game winner while using his left knee to thwart off the backcheck.
The big wing capped his performance with an insurance marker at 16:27 by jamming a loose puck underneath John Gibson and into the American net. Armia started the play with a nice effort on the boards to free up the puck before drifting to the net and tapping in the area pass.
Armia, who now has two goals, an assist, two shots on goal, and a +3 rating through the first two tourney games, will look to continue his offensive stacking on Friday when the Finns take on Denmark.
Drew Schiestel scored on the power play at 3:21 of overtime Tuesday as the Amerks earned a 4-3 win over the AHL's top club, the Oklahoma City Barons. The blast from the point, Schiestel's second goal of the year, added to an earlier assist for his first multi-point game of the season.
Paul Szczechura paced the Amerks with two goals and an assist in his first game back from Buffalo, while Alex Biega scored his third of the season. Biega, who has collected all three of his marks in the last eight games, equals his out from a season ago when he scored 18 points as an AHL rookie with the Portland Pirates.
The Rundown:
Schiestel: GWG, A
Biega: G, +1, 2 SOG
Fienhage: A, +1
Boychuk: +1
Lagace: +1
Parker: 2 SOG
Persson: -1, 2 SOG
Foligno: -1
Crawford: -1
Szydlowski: -1
The Amerks (14-12-4-1) and Barons will play it back on Wednesday.
In Tuesday night WHL action, Colin Jacobs broke a deadlocked game with the only goal in the shootout as Seattle edged Everett, 2-1. Jacobs now has two shootout winners through his first six games of the year since returning from a shoulder injury. The teams will complete the home-and-home Wednesday in Everett.
In the QMJHL, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc finished -2 with a shootout miss as Rimouski defeated the CHL's #3 ranked Quebec Remparts by a 4-3 score. The Oceanic will face Chicoutimi on Wednesday before rematching with the Remparts Friday in Rimouski.
Cedrick Henley recorded a shot on goal and five hits in his first game back from injury as Val-d'Or roughed up Rouyn-Noranda, 8-3. The 6'5 power forward had missed the previous eight games with a broken thumb. Les Foreurs travel to Gatineau on Wednesday.
Nathan Lieuwen was given a night off as Kootenay Lethbridge. The 6'5 should return to the nets on Thursday when the ICE takes on Red Deer.
In exhibition action, Drew MacKenzie logged a -1 as Vermont was blown out by the Russian Red Stars, 6-1. The game was a necessary post-break tune-up for Vermont, who opens the Catamount Cup Thursday against Ferris State. RIT and Lake Superior State will square off in the opposite contest.
Mark Pysyk finished +2 with two shots on goal Monday as Canada opened the 2012 World Junior Championship with an 8-1 pounding of Finland. The Sabres other prospect playing in the tournament, 2011 first-rounder Joel Armia, logged a disappointing -3 for the Finns.
Pysyk, who was paired with Jamie Oleksiak on Canada's third pair, found himself in an awkward position between the shooter and his own net when Alexander Ruuttu (son of former Sabres forward Christian) scored at 1:21 of the second to halve Canada's lead to 2-1. Aside from that, the 2010 first-rounder was steady in his own zone and made good decisions to support the play up ice.
Armia, who finished without a shot on net, showed flashes of the skill that make him the Sabres' most intriguing offensive prospect but for the most part was ineffective getting things going on Finland's #2 offensive unit. It was good to see him coming back hard late in the game (he prevented Canada from getting a ninth goal with a nice backcheck on Boone Jenner with five minutes to play), but there's no doubt that Sabres scouts want to see him competing harder for loose pucks at even strength as the tourney progresses.
Canada will next square off with the Czechs on Wednesday. Things won't get any easier for the Finns, who will look for their first tournament win by taking on a USA squad that scored 11 goals in their opening night win over Denmark.
Steven Shipley scored a goal and an assist Saturday as Niagara downed Sudbury, 3-1. The game's #2 star, Shipley now has goals in four straight games while collecting 11 of his 24 points this season during his current five-game point streak. Niagara is now off until the 28th when they face Owen Sound.
Alex Lepkowski scored his third goal of the year as Barrie lost to Ottawa, 6-4. Gregg Sutch assisted on the Lepkowski tally, his 12th point of the season, to end a four-game point drought. The Colts will battle Peterborough on Sunday before heading home for the Christmas break.
Colin Jacobs scored his second goal of the season as Seattle lost their handle in a 5-3 loss to Tri-City. Jacobs, who now has three points in five games since returning form injury, buried a one-timer to give the T-Birds a 3-0 lead heading into the second intermission. The game would turn from there with the Ams scoring five straight goals in the final twenty minutes to show why they're the CHL's #2 ranked team. Seattle returns from the holiday break for a home-and-home series with Everett starting on the 27th.
Jerome Gauthier-Leduc finished +4 with an an assist as Rimouski edged PEI, 6-5. The mobile righty enters the break with an even 50 points (19+31), good for first among all QMJHL defenders. Rimouski visits Quebec City on the 27th to tangle with the league-leading Remparts.
Kevin Sundher notched an assist to extend his point streak to seven games as Victoria was clipped by Medicine Hat, 4-2. The recently inked center enters the holiday break as the WHL's fifth leading scorer with 55 points (21+34) in 35 games. The Royals will next face Portland on the 28th.
Dan Catenacci saw his five-game point streak come to an end as Owen Sound downed Kitchener, 3-1. The speedy center enters the midway point with 40 points (19+21). Owen Sound will next welcome the IceDogs to town on the 28th.
Justin Jokinen contributed two shots on goal as Minnesota State was defeated by Colorado College, 6-2. The senior has added a spark down the middle despite going seven games without a goal. The Mavs, who have now lost nine straight WCHA contests, will host the U.S. NTDP for an exhibition on the 30th.
Drew MacKenzie drew a power play assist in Vermont's 2-1 loss to St. Lawrence. The two-way senior defenseman has four goals and four assists in 14 games. Vermont will next face the Russian Red Stars in an exhibition on the 27th.
Brad Eidsness stopped all 14 shots he faced as North Dakota earned a 5-1 exhibition win over the Russian Red Stars. The Sioux will return from the Christmas break with a non-conference set against Harvard Dec. 30-31.
Jerome Gauthier-Leduc scored his 19th goal of the year and added an assist Friday as Rimouski rocked Chicoutimi, 6-1. The defender, who earned the game's #2 star in his first game back from Canada's world junior camp, struck with a pair of power play points just 55-seconds apart in the second period. The Nics welcome PEI to town on Saturday.
Dan Catenacci extended his season-high point streak to five games by earning an assist as Owen Sound lost at Sarnia, 5-3. The helper puts Catenacci at the 40-point mark (19+21) through his first 35 games. The Attack hosts Kitchener on Saturday.
In WHL play, Kevin Sundher earned an assist as Victoria was stopped in overtime by Lethbridge, 5-4. With 54 points through 34 games, Sundher remains on pace for a 100-point season. The nifty six-footer will look to make it points in seven straight when the Royals take on visit Medicine Hat on Saturday.
Nathan Lieuwen made 28 saves as Kootenay won in the shootout over Swift Current, 5-4. The slumping netminder gets the win to slightly improve his December numbers to a 3.48 goals against average and .881 save percentage in seven contests. Kootenay will now enter the holiday break with their next game set for Tuesday, December 27th against Lethbridge.
Colin Jacobs finished -2 as Seattle was defeated by a strong Tri-City club, 5-1. Jacobs earned a 10-minute misconduct early as poor discipline dogged the T-Birds. The two clubs will complete the home-and-home in Seattle on Saturday.
Justin Jokinen finished even as Minnesota State lost in overtime to Colorado College, 2-1. The senior looks set for the second half of the season after putting together a nice stretch of games at center leading up to the break. The two clubs will play it back on Saturday.
Steven Shipley tied a career high Thursday by collecting four points (1+3) as Niagara smoked Erie, 7-0. The 6'3 center, whose line with Andrew Agozzino and David Pacan combined for 12 points, ties a season best by extending his point streak to four games. Earlier in the day, a tweet was posted that was clearly addressed.
The IceDogs return to action Saturday versus Sudbury.
Elsewhere in the OHL, Dan Catenacci posted a goal, an assist, and a career-best +4 rating as Owen Sound downed Windsor, 6-4. Like Niagara's Shipley, the 5'10 speedster will look to extend his point streak to five games when the Attack travels to Sarnia on Friday.
Alex Lepkowski and Gregg Sutch were unable to get on the scoresheet as Barrie edged Mississauga, 2-1. The Colts will host Ottawa on Saturday.
On Wednesday, Kevin Sundher collected an assist as Victoria was doubled by Edmonton, 6-3. The Surrey native will look to make it points in six straight when the Royals visit Lethbridge on Friday.
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The Sabres announced Thursday that they have signed Sundher to a three-year entry-level deal. The second of three third-round picks at the 2010 draft (75th overall), Sundher's quick start this season has seen him rise to become the all-time points leader for the WHL's Chilliwack/Victoria franchise.
“Kevin’s a very good skater, whose offensive abilities make him a natural fit for our organization,” Regier said. “With his progression over the last few seasons, his fast start this year is a very positive sign for his development.”
Sundher (5’11”, 184 lbs., 1/18/92), in his fifth season in the Western Hockey League, is ranked sixth in the league in scoring with 52 points (21+31) in 32 games as a member of the Victoria Royals. In 247 WHL games with Victoria and the Chilliwack Bruins, Sundher has accumulated 229 points (89+140) and 294 penalty minutes.
The native of Surrey, British Columbia has improved his point totals in each of his five WHL seasons, finishing the 2010-11 campaign with career highs in points (76) and assists (52).
Here is Sundher's profile from the Spring 2011 Prospect Rankings:
Readers of this site knew who Kevin Sundher was before this season. Listed in the 2010 Draft Preview as my second option for the Sabres at #75, and seeing how my primary option (Minnesota C Max Gardiner) went at pick #74, it's safe to say I was happy when the Sabres landed Sundher with the 75th pick. A highly touted player coming out of the bantam ranks, the 6'0, 193-pound pivot skated with a target on his back for two seasons for the sub-.500 Bruins, racking up 44 goals and an even 100 points before the Sabres even drafted him. The Surrey, B.C. native continued his trend in 2010-11, overcoming a slow start to finish 3rd in scoring for the Bruins with 24 goals and 52 assists (t15th in WHL).
Sundher really turned it on from late-October through early December, amassing 24 points in a 15-game stretch. In February, he collected points in 11-straight games to tie Kassian and McNabb for the longest streak of the season. With the year's momentum carrying into the postseason (3+4 in 5GP), it's reasonable to suggest that a quick start next season sees the playmaker become the third member of the class of 2010 to earn Team Canada consideration. Sundher, who will skate for the relocated Victoria franchise in 2011-12, rates well in four key competencies required of a successful NHL forward – strength, smarts, skill, and determination. He is a gifted passer and an above average stickhandler, so now what you need to see is more tenacity. This isn't to say he's "passive", but given the Sabres need for natural centers to develop quickly, playing with more fire in his belly will accelerate his progress as he moves up a level against bigger players of equal talent.
Lastly, enjoy a quick playlist of Sundher in action this season.
