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.

10/4 Recap: Adam takes advantage

On Sunday, Luke Adam had a pair of power play goals including the overtime winner to rally Cape Breton past Rimouski, 5-4. The game's #1 star, Adam scored his third of the year in the second period before again striking in the first minute of overtime. The 6'2, 203-pound center also had a power play assist in the win to take over the Eagles' scoring lead with eight points (4+4). Marek Zagrapan was even in 16:26 of work as Severstal lost to Minsk, 2-1. Severstal now sits in last place in the KHL's Western Conference. In Burlington, Drew MacKenzie was even with three shots on goal as Vermont lost their exhibition opener to CIS power University of New Brunswick, 3-2 in overtime. Cape Breton's #1 center last season, Chris Culligan, had a goal for the Reds. Brad Eidsness stopped 11 of 12 shots in over a period-and-a-half, and Corey Fienhage was +1 as North Dakota cruised past Manitoba, 7-1. Eidsness was poised in his first tune-up, while the rusty Fienhage was a little more tentative in his first game action since December 6th. Wrapping up the weekend, Mark Adams notched his first USHL point on Saturday, an assist, as Chicago stomped Team USA, 10-5. The Providence commit was also called for two roughing minors in the lopsided win. The Steel helped welcome the national program to the Jr "A" ranks, outscoring them 15-6 while earning the weekend victories.

10/3 Recap: McNabb main motor; Foligno steps in

In Saturday WHL action, Brayden McNabb assisted on the game winning goal as Kootenay battled to an exciting 5-4 overtime win over Medicine Hat. Logging major minutes (30/35+) and riding a six-game point streak, McNabb continues to be tied atop the WHL scoring list for dmen with eight points. 2010 eligible Emerson Etem (Long Beach, CA) scored a pair of goals for the Tigers in defeat. In the OHL, Marcus Foligno was even as Sudbury lost a hard-fought battle to Peterborough, 5-3. For the second straight weekend, the Wolves physical pacesetter earned a first period instigator and fighting major for coming in to defend teammate John Kurtz after he was checked from behind by Petes dman, Chad Lowry. Foligno quickly engaged and earned the takedown. Still no word on when Petes captain Zack Kassian will return from his upper body injury. Nick Crawford had an assist as Saginaw defeated Sarnia in a rough-and-tumble affair, 3-1. Josh Shalla ('10) scored a pair of goals to lead the Spirit. After a second period that featured three fights, hard feelings spilled into the third with a line brawl that involved a match penalty and the goalies squaring off at center ice. Jacob Lagacé posted an assist as Chicoutimi lost to defending QMJHL champion Drummondville, 3-2 in a shootout. The Sags' leading goal getter with five, Lagacé was not tabbed as a shooter in the deciding frame. Also from the Q, Jordon Southorn was even as PEI got trounced by Rouyn-Noranda, 7-2. The rearguard had a bumpy third period, earning minors on back-to-back shifts and a misconduct in the final 10-minutes. In Europe, Vjacheslav Buravchikov was -1 in 16:19 of play as Ak Bars was shutout by CKSA, 3-0. Connor Knapp greased up his NCAA exhibition season, relieving Cody Reichard and stopping 17 of 18 shots as #1 Miami defeated Windsor, 6-2. Nick Eno made 13 saves and gave up a goal before giving way to Andrew Hammond as Bowling Green defeated Wilfrid Laurier, 7-3. Justin Jokinen was +1 with an assist as Minnesota State needed overtime to edge Lethbridge, 4-3.

Gragnani goes for two in opening loss

The Portland Pirates began their 2009-10 campaign on Saturday with a 5-2 loss to Springfield. Marc-Andre Gragnani scored both goals for the Pirates, while Paul Byron and Dennis Persson had assists. Mike Kostka added six shots on goal from the blueline. Jhonas Enroth made 19 saves in defeat. T.J. Brennan was a healthy scratch. The Rundown: Gragnani: 2G, +2 Byron: 1A Persson: 1A, +1 Kostka: 6 SOG Ennis: +1, 4SOG Turnbull: +1 Gerbe: -1, 5 SOG Gogulla: 1 SOG Weber: -1 Schiestel: -1 Schutz: -1 Mancari: even Whitmore: 3 SOG Enroth: 19 saves, L Brennan: scratch

Sore wing postpones throwdown

Today's Peterborough Examiner has more to offer on what appears to be a shoulder injury sustained by Sabres 2009 first-rounder Zack Kassian in Friday's loss to Soo.

The Peterborough Petes lost more than a hockey game last night, they also lost their captain. Zack Kassian suffered an upper body injury midway through the second period after a big hit from Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds' defenceman Jacob Muzzin. Muzzin also hit the Petes on the scoreboard with a goal and two assists as the Greyhounds, the surprise of the young OHL season, improved to 6-0 with a 4-1 win over the Petes before 4,745 fans at the Essar Centre. Petes' coach Ken McRae said it's too early to know, yet, how long Kassian, whose arm was in a sling after the game, will be lost. "We'll re-evaluate it day-to-day here, but he likely won't be in the lineup (tonight in Sudbury)," said McRae. "That's a tough loss for our hockey club, but we'll see how he comes along the next couple of days."

The injury disappointment comes on the eve of a game that has been long circled on the SabresProspects calendar, as Kassian's Petes will square off against '09 classmate Marcus Foligno and Wolves on Saturday. The potential collision of two of the OHL's more hard-nosed players when both would be looking to lead their teams in a bounce-back capacity could have provided some fireworks, and most certainly sparked an exciting rivalry for the Sabres' future duo. Instead, Foligno gets to buzz around with reckless abandon sans the imposing threat of retribution from a thundering Kassian. The two clubs will next face each other on November 7th.

Will he stay or Legault?

October 3rd is the season opener for the Buffalo Sabres as well as their AHL farm club, but in the world of Maxime Legault it's a day of finality. After the last month has seen him make training camp stops in Shawinigan, Buffalo, and Portland, the 20-year old forward will learn his 2009-10 fate sometime on Saturday, as he will need to be signed to a professional contract by the Sabres or be returned to the QMJHL for the rest of the season where he will captain the Cataractes. Pirates coach Kevin Dineen has liked what he's seen from Legault in preseason, so it seems as if he'll be inked and in uniform when they drop the puck Saturday night at Springfield. At 6'2, 195-pounds, he skates hard, hits with authority, and has the requisite strength to start his professional career. The Ste. Agathe, QC native scored 28 goals last season in junior.

10/2: Kassian injured; Crawford pots pair

In Sault Ste. Marie, Zack Kassian suffered an upper body injury after a second period hit and did not return as Peterborough lost 4-1 to the undefeated Greyhounds. Outshot, out-fought, and outscored, the Petes were in the tough situation of back-to-back games with long travel in between. Kassian, who failed to notch a point for the first time this season, is thought to be day-to-day and likely out of the lineup for Saturday's meeting with Sudbury. Marcus Foligno (-2) had another strong physical performance as Sudbury coughed up a four-goal lead in a 6-5 shootout loss to Plymouth. Skating on the Wolves second line, Foligno was whistled for a misconduct after arguing a first period call, and later earned a checking from behind minor that led to Whalers goal. The Wolves were at one point up 5-1 in the second period before the Whalers captialized on defensive miscues to own the final 25-minutes. Stud 2010 prospect Tyler Seguin (6'1, 190 lbs) had a hat trick and an assist for the winning side, and now leads the OHL with 10 goals and 16 points in six games. Nick Crawford scored a pair of goals and an assist as Saginaw faltered at Kitchener, 6-5 in overtime. The goals, one each shorthanded and on the power play, were Crawford's first of the season, and came on a night when the Spirit sqaundered a 5-3 lead in the final 10:00 of play. The game's #2 star, Crawford's three point night was his first of the season after three such efforts in 2008-09. The 6'1 defenseman likely caught the attention of Sudbury GM Mike Foligno, who was rumored to be scouting blueliners in Kitchener's barn while his club suffered a breakdown on home ice. In the WHL, Brayden McNabb picked up an assist as Kootenay lost to Calgary, 2-1. McNabb currently leads all WHL defenseman with seven points (1+6) in five games. Also from Friday, Luke Adam scored his second goal of the season and was named the game's #2 star as Cape Breton came back to earn a 5-4 victory over Bathurst. The Eagles outshot the Titan 40-17 en route to overcoming a 4-0 deficit to move to 3-2-2 on the year. Jacob Lagacé registered an assist as Chicoutimi got squashed by Gatineau, 9-2. In Western Quebec, Jordon Southorn was +2 as PEI defeated Val-d'Or, 5-2. The Rocket was lucky to sneak away with a win despite being outshot 24-3 in the second period, and 51-22 overall. 2010 eligible Jordan Escott (6'1, 176 lbs) scored a hat trick and an assist to lead the Rocket. Mark Adams made his USHL debut, finishing -1 with two stick infractions as Chicago defeated Team USA, 5-1.

Zagrapan panning out early

KHL rookie Marek Zagrapan seems to be getting the job done offensively in his new digs. On Wednesday, the former Rochester and Portland forward scored a goal and an assist as Severstal pushed past Dynamo, 4-2. The fresh start has seen Zagrapan net four goals and two assists through eight games thus far, placing him second on Severstal's scoring list for goals and points while averaging less than 12:00 of time per game. In Thursday KHL action, Vjacheslav Buravchikov played even as Ak Bars defeated Torpedo, 3-1. Buravchikov is -3 with an assist in eight games this season.

Myers in against Habs

Per a Mike Harrington (The Buffalo News) tweet, defenseman Tyler Myers will be in the starting lineup for the Sabres' opener on Saturday versus Montreal.

10/1 Recap: Kassian nets another; Ennis impressing

Zack Kassian scored a goal on Thursday as Peterborough defeated Oshawa, 5-4. The 6'3 Petes captain one-timed a Brett Theberge cross-ice feed 20-seconds into the second period for his third goal goal of the season. He now has points in six games for the Petes, who were outshot 50-33 by the visiting Generals. Michael Quesnele ('10) scored the game winner and picked up a fighting major. Nick Crawford finished -2 as Saginaw lost at Brampton, 4-3. Former Buffalo Jr. Sabre and Rochester, NY native Phil Lane ('10) notched his first OHL points for the Troops, scoring a goal and an assist in the win. Last season, the 6'2, 194-pound power forward scored 18 goals and 24 assists in 45 OJHL games. On Wednesday, Jordon Southorn posted a -2 as PEI stumbled in a 6-3 road loss at Montreal. The Rocket held a 2-1 lead midway through the second period before falling victim to sloppy play. Guillaume Asselin ('10) had a goal and an assist for the winners. Also on Wednesday, Tyler Ennis had a goal and two assists as Portland closed their exhibition schedule with 4-2 win over the University of New Brunswick. Ennis' output gives him impressive totals of two goals and five assists in three preseason contests. Marc-Andre Gragnani scored the game winner in the early third period, while Paul Byron and Derek Whitmore added singles. The Pirates will open the regular season on Saturday at Springfield. ----------------------------- For those who may have missed the news, the Sabres on Wednesday announced that F Nathan Gerbe and D Mike Weber have been assigned to Portland of the AHL. The transactions leave D Tyler Myers and F Tim Kennedy with the big club for Saturday's opener with the Canadiens. How long Myers stays with the Sabres could be determined by how well he performs (if called upon). Per the Buffalo News, Myers was skating as the extra dman in Thursday morning practice, but I wouldn't rule out him being in the Saturday night lineup despite some expectations that the team will ease him in. The situation is a little more black and white with Kennedy, who earned the right to stay after being creative and responsible from the center position since the beginning of camp. With Drew Stafford dinged with a minor concussion, the former Michigan State Spartan could see scoring line minutes early on in an attempt to fortify his role on an NHL roster. Gerbe, while disapponted with the move after scoring a pair of goals in the final preseason games, will retreat to Portland where it's possible to keep pressure on the remaining Sabres forwards. Joining him on the farm will be Weber, who was somewhat inconsistent with his puck decisions in exhibition work.