Lagacé joins Pirates

The Buffalo Sabres have deployed forward Jacob Lagacé to their AHL affiliate in Portland via an amateur tryout. Recently completing his third season in the QMJHL, the 20-year old is slated to jump right into a Pirates sweater for the final weekend of the regular season beginning this Friday at Manchester.

Lagacé, the Sabres fifth round pick in the 2008 draft, arrives in the "A" after a 35-goal, 73-point performance split between Chicoutimi and Cape Breton. Leading the "Q" through December with 30 goals in 35 games, Lagacé joined fellow Sabres prospects Luke Adam and Maxime Legault in Cape Breton at the January trade deadline where he scored five goals in 25 games before going 0-3-3 and -6 in the Eagles' first round loss to Moncton. The 5'11, 196-pound right wing has produced 90 goals and 114 assists in 191 games of major-junior play.

Consider this exactly what the deal states - an amateur tryout. With Adam's agent still in negotiations with the Sabres while Nathan Gerbe and Tyler Ennis are getting NHL minutes in Buffalo, the Pirates have an obvious forward need that can be filled by a prospect looking to earn an entry-level deal.

4/5 Recap: Things lining up for possible showdown in the "O"

Zack Kassian earned an assist Monday as Windsor took a stranglehold on their OHL Eastern Conference semifinal with a 5-0 shutout of Plymouth. The bullish forward remained at his right wing spot on a steady line with Gteg Nemisz and Eric Wellwood, pounding a few slapshots on net while pulling his two-way weight.

In the OHL's Western Conference semis, Nick Crawford finished -1 as Barrie defeated Brampton. The Colts victory gives them a commanding three-ganes-to-none lead in their best-of-seven.

In Sunday's game two, Crawford was even as the Colts edged the Troops, 3-2, in overtime. Manning the left side of Barrie's the top pair with blues prospect Alex Pietrangelo, Crawford was solid defensively while exhibiting good poise with the puck in all three zones. At one point in the middle period, he showed excellent vision and awareness by making a stretch pass from his own corner to his partner breaking towards the Battalion blueline.

Kassian's Spits and Crawford's Colts will look to complete second round sweeps on Wednesday. Both clubs have dominated their sides of the postseason bracket, setting the stage for a possible heavyweight showdown in a couple of weeks if each can lock up their conference with another series win.

4/3 Recap: Kassian clicking; Adams ends well

In the OHL playoffs, Zack Kassian (+1) earned an assist Saturday as Windsor held off Plymouth, 5-3. The Spitfires victory gives them a 2-0 series advantage with the Eastern Conference semifinal match-up heading back to Windsor for Monday's game three.

Stationed in front of the net, Kassian drew the attention of Plymouth defenseman Leo Jenner to help Eric Wellwood tie the game 2-2 at 3:47 of the second period. He was credited with an actual assist, his seventh point of the playoff year, on a Taylor Hall goal later in the period to put the Spits ahead 3-2 going into the third. In all, the big right wing has been executing his bullish role as the creative Spits enjoy space en route to out-stacking the respectable Whalers roster.

In the USHL, Mark Adams picked up his 10th assist of the year as Chicago came up short in their season finale in a 3-2 loss to Indiana. On Friday, Adams assisted on an empty-netter while posting a season-best +3 as the Steel defeated Fargo, 6-4. With eight points in his final 16 games, the 6'3 Providence-bound blueliner completes his Hockey East ramp-up year with a line of 4-10-14, 85 PIM, and a -3 rating in 53 contests as the Steel finished 10 points out of the fourth playoff spot in the East.

4/1 Recap: Kassian effective as Spits take opener

In Thursday OHL action, Zack Kassian (+2) did not register a point but maintained a physical presence as Windsor opened their second round series with a 5-1 tuning of Plymouth. Starting on a line with Calgary first-rounder Greg Nemisz and Flyers prospect Eric Wellwood while also seeing time on the Spits top power play unit, the 6'3 Kassian rode the momentum of an excellent first round performance into game one, providing a turnover-producing pop on Austin Levi ('10) to create the game's first goal at 11:07 of the first period.

Kassian's intimidation factor makes all of his teammates more effective, not just the four others he's skating with. He simply doesn't need to wear a letter. After taking an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that led to the Whalers only goal late in the middle frame, the accountable aggressor returned on the very next shift to take on 6'5, 217-pound Jamie Devane in the first of four bouts on the evening.



Taylor Hall paced the Spits with a pair of goals while fellow 2010 stud Tyler Seguin finished -3 for Plymouth. The puck drops on game two on Saturday.

In Barrie, Nick Crawford played even as the Colts defeated Brampton, 5-3. The 6'1 rearguard, who was on the ice for one goal for and a shorthanded goal against, entered the game with seven points through four playoff contests. With the hard fought victory, Barrie takes a 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal.

Fienhage lands on Blazers list

The CHL rights to North Dakota sophomore Corey Fienhage have been protected by the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL, giving the defenseman a major-junior option in the event that he leaves college in search of more playing time. The team hasn't spoken to Fienhage directly, but has been in contact with his advisor entering the offseason.

SabresProspects prefers the 20-year old stays in school to allow for two more developmental years, but the Sioux blueline will only get more crowded as all seven healthy defensemen from this season's Broadmoor Cup winners will be returning, with another top commit on the way in Derek Forbort of the USNTDP and another rumored to be close.

Fienhage has played 39 games in his first two seasons in Grand Forks after making the jump straight to the WCHA as an 18-year old out of high school. By foregoing a planned year of seasoning in the USHL, he wasn't put into a position to succeed out of the gate with the Sioux. A WHL move would certainly offer more playing time.

3/28 Recap: Knapp's 55 keep 'Hawks alive

Connor Knapp made 55 saves Sunday as Miami advanced to the 2010 NCAA Frozen Four with a 3-2 win over Michigan in 2OT. The 6'5 sophomore had to be sharp out of the gate, as the attacking Wolverines forced him to make a pair of quick stops in the first :15 of play. While Knapp was tested in regulation, the smelling salts really came into play in the first overtime when he was forced to make 20 of his 55 stops with an exhausted group in front of him.

Knapp and the RedHawks received a lucky break in the first OT when a premature whistle saw Kevin Lynch's apparent game winner waved off. Knapp got turned around in his crease after a shot squeezed through his legs, but the whistle sounded before Lynch jammed it in. Miami survived the extra session, including another close call via a Matt Rust (CBS) rip off the pipe, before charging their batteries and winning it on an Alden Hirschfeld wrister at 1:54 of the second overtime.

The RedHawks will now make the skate into Detroit's Ford Field two weeks from now to faceoff against Boston College in the national semifinal. Wisconsin and Cinderella RIT will battle in the other side of the bracket. If Enrico Blasi sticks to his rotational guns, Miami could see Knapp could give way to Cody Reichard in the tilt with the Eagles while readying himself for duty in the championship game. After all, that would be Knapp's start using the "if it aint broke, don't fix it" approach.

In the WHL playoffs, Brayden McNabb was -1 as Kootenay saw their season end with a 4-1 loss to Medicine Hat. After taking the first two games of the series, the Ice went cold to allow the Tigers to take four straight games to seal the deal in six. McNabb posted four assists in the first-round loss after finishing the regular season sixth among league defenders with 57 points (17+40).

3/27 Recap: Five more bounced as Sioux, Eagles lose

Brad Eidsness put forth a solid effort Saturday, stopping 20 shots and keeping his team competitive as North Dakota lost in the NCAA Northeast Regional to Yale, 3-2. Eidsness was beaten by a first period tip before surrendering goals via an inside cut-and-deke and a bad rebound off the rear boards to allow the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead through 40-minutes. The sophomore ends his season 24-10-4 with a 2.11 goals against average and .914 save percentage. Corey Fienhage was even on the Sioux blue to end the year with two assists and a +4 rating in 30 appearances.




At the NCAA Midwest Regional in Fort Wayne, Connor Knapp served as back-up as Miami edged Alabama-Huntsville, 2-1. With Coach Enrico Blasi sticking to his goaltender rotation, Cody Reichard earned the nod over the hot-handed Knapp to guide the RedHawks into a Sunday showdown versus CCHA rival Michigan with a Frozen berth on the line. The RedHawks and Wolverines will rematch last week's CCHA semifinal which saw UM light Reichard up for five goals and force Knapp in to stop the bleeding. As of now, it is unclear who gets the Sunday call, but there's no question that Knapp is deserving.

In the QMJHL, Luke Adam (-2), Maxime Legault (-2), and Jacob Lagacé (-1) were all quiet as Cape Breton was bounced out of the playoffs thanks to a 4-0 blanking by Moncton. Legault, who had the best scoring chance of the three when he was stopped on an early breakaway, was the best Eagles forward throughout the 4-1 series loss, showing heart and character when the majority of the club was playing a baffling uninspired brand of hockey.

Adam, a candidate for league MVP, ends the series with three goals, an assist, and a -8 rating. Legault banged in a goal, while Lagacé collected three assists and just eight shots on goal in the five-game affair. It is expected that the Sabres will look to bolster their AHL affiliate in Portland by adding one or two Eagles for the playoff run. SabresProspects sees Adam and Legault as the most logical choices for extended duty.

In the USHL, Mark Adams was whistled for three minor penalties as Chicago lost to Des Moines, 4-3.

3/26 Recap: Seasons end for defensive pair

Drew MacKenzie was even Friday as Vermont saw their season come to an end in the NCAA West regional with a 3-2 loss to Wisconsin. The sophomore defenseman turned in a solid second half of the season to finish with four goals, 10 assists, and a -1 rating in 36 games played.

In the QMJHL, Jordon Southorn skated -1 as PEI was finished off by Saint John, 7-2. Losing their QMJHL quarterfinal by a 4-1 count, Southorn and the Rocket see their seasons end with a admirable effort against one of the elite teams in all of the CHL.

In the WHL playoffs, Brayden McNabb was even in as Kootenay lost to Medicine Hat, 5-2. After taking a 2-0 series lead, the Ice are now on the verge of elimination heading into Sunday's game six after dropping three straight to the Tigers.

In the USHL, Mark Adams was even as Chicago lost to Sioux City, 2-1.

3/25 Recap: Kassian stacks helpers as Spits use broom; Crawford honored

Zack Kassian piled up three assists Thursday as Windsor earned a first-round playoff sweep with a 5-1 win over Erie. The fresh-legged pacesetter has been very effective over the past 120-minutes of hockey, getting work on both sides of the special teams cause while being a load to handle at even strength. Kassian totaled two goals and four assists in the quarterfinal cruise.

The Spits, now perfect in five straight series clinching games dating back to last season, will move on to the Western Conference semifinals where they'll face Tyler Seguin and the Plymouth Whalers. Seguin and Windsor's Taylor Hall are the top two North Americans rated for this June's draft after sharing the OHL scoring title with 106 points each.

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Congratulations to Barrie Colts defenseman Nick Crawford after being named the Best Offensive Defenseman in the 2009-10 Eastern Conference coaches poll. The 6'1 Crawford was topped all league rearguards with 70 points (11+59) between Saginaw and Barrie, including 36 (7-29) on the power play.

3/24 Recap: Adam trick keeps Eagles alive

Luke Adam notched his first career playoff hat trick Wednesday as Cape Breton emerged from their rut with a 4-1 win over Moncton. After a scoreless first period, Adam opened the gates on a second period power play when his point shot fluked off of Nicola Riopel's glove. He'd cash his own rebound upstairs for his second power play goal of the game at 3:38 of the third before riding another man advantage a few minutes later to complete the hat trick.

Jacob Lagacé posted a pair of assists for Cape Breton, while Maxime Legault registered one shot on net. Outplayed in the first three games of the quarterfinal series, the Eagles now trail the best-of-seven 3-1 heading into Saturday's game five.

Also from the QMJHL, Jordon Southorn finished -1 as PEI lost in overtime to Saint John, 2-1. The Sea Dogs will return home for Friday's match-up holding a 3-1 series lead, putting Southorn and the Rocket on the brink of elimination along with the Eagle troika.

In the OHL, Marcus Foligno was even as Sudbury saw their 2009-10 season end with a 6-3 loss to Barrie. The 6'3 forward missed a chance at his second postseason goal when he rang one off the post late in the first period with the score tied 1-1. Nick Crawford (+2) earned an assist, his seventh point of the playoffs, for the broom-toting Colts.

In the WHL, Brayden McNabb was +1 as Kootenay lost to Medicine Hat, 5-1. The series is now even at two games apiece. On Tuesday, the Tigers started their claw-back by defeating Ice by a 4-1 count. McNabb earned an assist in the loss while picking up a fighting major for the second consecutive night.