10/22: Eno gets W; Eidsness yanked

Brad Eidsness had a night he'd like to forget Friday, allowing three goals on five shots and getting the hook just 9:37 in as #2 North Dakota was blown-out at #12 Maine, 7-3. It's unclear if the junior, who was beaten by a rebound and a pair of one-timers, will get the nod when the teams play it back on Saturday.

Nick Eno made 19 saves a Bowling Green eeked out a 5-4 overtime win over Alabama-Huntsville. The victory was Eno's first of the season and 18th of his BGSU career. 

Mark Adams finished +1 as Providence was nipped in overtime by Lowell, 5-4. The Friars will move on to face #8 Boston University on Saturday.

Justin Jokinen was even with three shots on goal as Minnesota State edged #19 Colorado College, 5-4. The 6'3 junior drew a penalty when brought down on a 2-1 break, and the Mavs capitalized on the ensuing PP to tie the game 2-2 in the second period.

Connor Knapp looked on as creasemate Cody Reichard stopped 21 shots in #3 Miami's 4-0 shutout of Northern Michigan.

In OHL action, Marcus Foligno scored a power play goal as Sudbury hung on to beat Barrie, 4-3. The marker was Foligno's fourth of the season, and 35th of his OHL career. The Wolves will take a two-game winning streak into Saturday's home battle with Erie.

Zack Kassian (-1) posted an assist as Windsor lost to Guelph, 4-3. Midway through the second period, the 6'3 winger had a pass picked off that allowed Storm forward Peter Holland (ANA) to skate in alone and cash a shorthanded goal.

Gregg Sutch finished -2 as the CHL's #2 ranked Mississauga Majors were defeated by #4 Saginaw, 3-2. The Majors will continue their trek through Michigan on Saturday with a meeting in Plymouth.

Steven Shipley finished -1 as Niagara was defeated by Kitchener, 4-1. The loss ends the IceDogs six-game winning streak. Niagara (8-3-1-0) will look to begin a new streak when they skate into Barrie on Saturday.

In the QMJHL, Cedrick Henley scored a power play goal, his fourth of the year, as Val-d'Or doubled Rouyn-Noranda, 4-2. The 6'5 forward rounded out his effort with a game-best five hits.

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc posted a -4 as Rimouski was shot down by Drummondville, 5-1. Sean Couturier ('11) had a goal and an assist for the Volts, and still refuses to talk to reporters.

In the WHL, Corey Fienhage was +1 as Kamloops defeated Edmonton, 3-2. Mark Pysyk had an assist for the Oil Kings in the loss. 

Riley Boychuk continued his aggressive tendencies with minors for checking from behind and high-sticking  as Portland defeated Seattle, 2-1.

Brayden McNabb (shoulder) did not dress as Kootenay downed Red Deer, 4-1.

10/21 Recap: Kassian, Foligno assist teams to victory; Six named to Super Series

Zack Kassian posted two assists Thursday as Windsor cruised to a 4-1 win over Belleville. Kassian ranks eighth in the OHL in scoring with 16 points (5+11) through just seven games. The Spits (6-5-0-1) will square off with Guelph on Friday.

Marcus Foligno earned a pair of assists including a set-up of the game winning goal as Sudbury needed overtime to get a 4-3 win over Barrie. The effort ups Foligno's point total to eight in seven games for the Wolves (2-6-0-1), who will engage in a rematch with the Colts on Friday.

Also from the OHL, Steven Shipley picked up a power play assist off a rebound as Niagara stayed hot with a 4-1 win over Guelph. Winners of six in a row, the IceDogs (8-2-0-1) will travel to Kitchener Friday.

In Wednesday action, Corey Fienhage played even with a roughing minor as Kamloops edged Red Deer, 1-0. Fienhage's Blazers will look to make it two wins in a row on Friday versus Edmonton.

In Portland, Riley Boychuk collected 12 PIM including a ten-minute misconduct stemming from a shoving/slashing match with Tyler Maxwell early in the first period as the Winterhawks shut out Everett, 2-0. The 6'5 power forward also was whistled for a goaltender interference penalty in the win.

Matt MacKenzie finished -2 with his first fighting major of the season as Calgary was stomped on by Spokane, 8-1. MacKenzie's bout with Matt Marantz came and went pretty quickly with the Chiefs forward landing the better shots

On Tuesday, MacKenzie again finished -2 as Calgary lost to Tri-City, 3-1.

Also from Tuesday Western League play, Mark Pysyk skated to a -1 as Edmonton was defeated by Kootenay, 4-1. Brayden McNabb (day-to-day) remained out of the lineup with a shoulder injury.

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Six Sabres prospects have been named to their respective league rosters for the upcoming Canada-Russia Super Series that will help each country formulate their selection camps for the 2011 World Junior Championships.

Mark Pysyk (WHL), Matt MacKenzie (WHL), and Jerome Gauthier-Leduc (QMJHL) will skate in both games of their leagues' legs of the series, while 19-year olds Zack Kassian (OHL), Marcus Foligno (OHL), and Brayden McNabb (WHL) will each skate in one game due to rules preventing action in four straight days. Kassian and Foligno will both suit up for Team OHL when the series moves to Sudbury on November 15th.

The Series kicks off November 8th in Saint John, New Brunswick.

10/17 Recap: JGL keeps streak alive; Pysyk exemplifies "C"

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc (+2) extended his point streak to seven games Sunday with a pair of assists as Rimouski opened up a can on Bathurst, 8-1. With 12 points through 14 games, the 6’2 righty is currently ranked fourth in scoring among QMJHL defenders.

Elsewhere in the Q, Cedrick Henley snapped a two-game point drought with an assist as Val-d’Or defeated Montreal, 4-2. The budding 6’5 power forward now has three goal and eight points in 11 games with the Foreurs.

Mark Pysyk returned to the Oil Kings lineup after a one-game absence due to ‘bumps and bruises’, earning an even rating and his first major of the season in their 4-0 shutout loss to Swift Current. Pysyk exemplified the captaincy when he took exception to an open-ice hit on a teammate to take on 6’4, 200+ pound Richard Nedomiel (’11) midway through period two.

10/16 Recap: Isackson pots pair as Herd rolls

Christian Isackson scored the first two goals of his USHL career Saturday as Sioux Falls defeated Chicago, 4-1. The six-footer gave the Stampede the only lead they'd need when he hit through a screen at 7:14 of the second period. A little over a minute later, Isackson would strike again from the slot while on the power play to put the Stampede ahead 3-1. Sioux Falls will take a two-game winning streak into next Saturday's meeting at Fargo.

In the OHL, Zack Kassian finished -2 as Windsor was dumped by Plymouth, 4-1. Skating without crafty Alex Khokhlachev ('11), Kassian comes down to earth with zero points for the first time in six games since returning from Buffalo. After serving a two minute minor for drilling Alex Aleardi (did he or did he not leave his feet?), Kassian had a quasi spat with 6'5 Jamie Devane who had earlier made a throat-slash gesture to Kassian while the big Spit was in the penalty box.

Steven Shipley finished -1 as Niagara earned their fifth straight win with a 6-5 decision over Oshawa. Like Kassian, the quiet statistical night ends a five-game point streak for the big Ice Dog forward. Center Ryan Strome ('11), who is slowly becoming a SabresProspects target for the June draft, collected three assists and his first fighting major for the IceDogs.

Gregg Sutch picked up an assist as Mississauga opened up a can on Sudbury, 7-2. Wolves forward Marcus Foligno earned an assist in the losing effort. Sutch has been a key grind element for what has been the tightest Majors unit with Rob Flick and Joe Cramarossa ('11). The Majors are off until Friday when they meet Saginaw, while Foligno and the Pack will engage in a home-and-home with Barrie starting Thirsday.

In the QMJHL, Cedrick Henley skated even as Val-d'Or lost a tight one with top-ranked Quebec, 4-3. The Foreurs will take on Montreal on Sunday.

In the WHL, Kevin Sundher earned an assist for the third straight game as Chilliwack doubled-up Vancouver, 6-3. Sundher also earned four penalty minutes on the night, two of which came for roughing in the chippy final minute. The Bruins are now off until Saturday when they host Brandon.

Matt MacKenzie picked up a power play assist as Calgary needed overtime to defeat Seattle, 3-2. The Hitmen will match up with Spokane on Wednesday.

Corey Fienhage finished even as Kamloops was trampled by Prince George, 8-1. The Blazers took a 1-0 lead at 3:10 of the opening period, only to surrender eight straight goals en route to losing. The Blazers will look to get back on track Tuesday versus Edmonton.

Edmonton's Mark Pysyk was held out of the lineup in the Oil Kings' 6-4 loss to Medicine Hat due to "undisclosed bumps and bruises".

Brayden McNabb was expected to return to the Kootenay lineup for their game with Regina, but instead missed a fourth straight with a sore shoulder. The big defender will now look to get back in on Tuesday when they host the Oil Kings.

Connor Knapp made 24 saves as #4 Miami clawed out a 1-1 tie with #10 St. Cloud State. Knapp had a shutout going through fifty-three minutes before poke-checking a centering pass to the stick Jared Festler, who tipped it beneath Knapp to tie it up. The RedHawks kick off the CCHA schedule next weekend when they host Northern Michigan.

Mark Adams went -2 with a shot on goal and a minor penalty as Providence got smoked by Minnesota-Duluth, 7-1. Adams and the Friars, who held a 1-0 lead just :58 in before getting the hammer dropped, will regroup for next weeks' set with Lowell.

Justin Jokinen finished -3 as Minnesota State played to a 5-5 tie with Michigan Tech. Jokinen, a junior, finishes the weekend -5 after a three-point set with St. Lawrence a week ago. The Mavs will face Colorado College next weekend.

Brad Eidsness was given the night off as #2 North Dakota defeated Bemidji State, 5-2. Eidsness and the Sioux will face a tougher test next weekend when they travel to Maine.

Nick Eno watched as Bowling Green earned their first win of the year with a 3-0 shutout at Clarkson. Eno and Andrew Hammond will likely split duties again next weekend when the Falcons host Alabama-Huntsville.

10/15 Recap: Shipley, Gauthier-Leduc keep streaks alive

We'll plow our way through a busy Friday recap as I continue to battle a nasty, nasty cold - my first of the season...

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc posted a pair of power play assists Friday as Rimouski came back to edge Cape Breton, 4-3. Gauthier-Leduc, currently ranked sixth among QMJHL dfensemen with 10 points, will take a six-game point streak into Sunday's meeting with Bathurst.

Cedrick Henley played even with a shot on goal and two hits as Val-d'Or stopped Drummondville, 5-3. Sean Couturier ('11) scored his ninth goal of the year and added two assists for the Voltigeurs. The Foreurs will take on the CHL's #1 ranked team Quebec on Saturday.

In OHL play, Steven Shipley assisted on the game winning goal as Niagara defeated Ottawa, 3-2. With 3:34 to play in regulation, a patient Shipley beamed a pass to a cutting Freddie Hamilton in the slot to extend his point streak to five games and help give the 6-2-1 IceDogs their fourth win in a row. Shipley and the Dogs will look to stay hot when they host Oshawa on Saturday.

Marcus Foligno was -1 as Sudbury lost to Brampton, 5-1. I heard a whisper this week that Foligno may be part of a deal that lands him in Saginaw. John McFarland (FLA), also rumored to be on the outs, did not play for the Wolves.

Gregg Sutch posted a plate of bagels as Mississauga needed overtime to edge Sault Ste. Marie, 4-3. The Majors, currently ranked #2 in the entire CHL, will travel to Sudbury on Saturday.

Riley Boychuk scored his second goal of the year into an empty net as Portland defeated Kamloops, 8-6. Corey Fienhage finished -1 for the Blazers. Ty Rattie ('11) tallied a hat trick to pace the 7-2-0-1 Winterhawks, while Sven Bartschi ('11) continued his freshman tear with a goal and two assists.

Kevin Sundher notched an assist as Chilliwack came up short against Kelowna, 4-3. The point was Sundher's second in as many games after opening the season with zeros in his first four games. The Bruins will host Vancouver on Saturday.

Matt MacKenzie finished +1 as Calgary lost to Everett, 4-2. The Hitmen will keep the bus moving for a Saturday night tilt in Seattle.

Mark Pysyk (-1) posted an assist as Edmonton was throttled by Medicine Hat, 7-1. The two clubs will play it back on Saturday.

In the USHL, Christian Isackson was +1 with five shots on goal as Sioux Falls upended the US NTDP, 5-3. The Stampede will host Chicago on Saturday.

Nick Eno made 27 saves as Bowling Green was blanked by Clarkson, 4-0. After allowing a point shot through his legs and giving up a second goal on a partial breakaway, Eno kept the Falcons in the game by stopping all 10 shots he faced in the second period. Eno may give way to Andrew Hammond when the two clubs drop the puck on Saturday.

Justin Jokinen finished -2 with three shots on goal as Minnesota State lost on the road at Michigan Tech, 5-2. Jokinen continued to make nifty plays with the puck despite the less-than-savory stat line. The Mavs will press for a split when the teams reconvene for Saturday's series closer.

Brad Eidsness was called upon to make just 12 saves as #2 North Dakota defeated Bemidji State, 5-2. It's unclear whether Eidsness, who allowed goals via a 3-1 rush and a partial break, will get the back-to-back nods or if Sioux boss Dave Hakstol will look to get Aaron Dell a second early season start.

Mark Adams was even with three shots on net as Providence lost at #7 Minnesota-Duluth, 5-3. The freshman rearguard was whistled for hooking late in the second period, resulting in a Travis Oleksuk game winning goal via the penalty shot.

Connor Knapp served as backup as #4 Miami doubled up #11 St. Cloud State, 6-3. Knapp will get the start on Saturday.

10/14 Recap: Kass keeps stacking; McNabb earns "C"

Zack Kassian scored two goals and an assist Thursday as Windsor downed Erie, 5-3. Trailing the Otters 2-0, Kassian put the Spits on the board with wraparound backhand goal at 14:04 of the first period. Kassian would later add an assist and an empty-netter to seal the victory, and up his point totals to five goals, nine assists, and 14 points through the first five-game block of the season.

Again, let's all stay level until he puts up similar numbers at the World Juniors. Is his start encouraging? Absolutely. Is he proving to be a better player than he was a year ago? Absolutely. I will never suggest that the early season production is inflated like Dylan Hunter's stat line during his days in London, but Kassian's physical dominance of 17-18-19's has a lot to do with what we're seeing right now. I'm just as pleased that he's staying out of the box. Be excited but within reason, as it's just a positive development in his development...

In WHL news, Brayden McNabb has been named captain of the Kootenay Ice. The 19-year old, playing his fourth season on the Ice blueline, joins current NHLers Mike Comrie, Mike Green, and Jarret Stoll players to wear the "C" for the Kootenay franchise.

10/13 Recap: JGL heating up; Sundher breaks seal

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc scored his third goal of the year Wednesday as Rimouski lost to Halifax, 5-3. Gauthier-Leduc's marker, his third in as many games, came unassisted at 12:58 of the second period to knot the game 2-2. The 18-year old will look to make it four in a row with a goal on Friday when the Nics travel to Cape Breton.

Also from the Q, Cedrick Henley notched his third goal of the season as Val-d'Or was drilled by Shawinigan, 6-2. The 2010 sixth-rounder added a game-high six hits in the losing effort, while Anton Zlobin ('11) scored two goals for the Cataractes. The Foreurs will look to snap a two-game skid Friday in Drummondville.

In the OHL, Steven Shipley chipped in two assists as Niagara earned a 5-4 road win in Belleville. Skating on a loaded line with Sharks prospect Freddie Hamilton (3A) and talented '11 Ryan Strome (hat trick), the 6'3 Shipley now has three goals and two assists over his current four-game point streak. The 5-2-1 IceDogs will next host Friday and Saturday games versus Ottawa and Oshawa.

In the WHL, Kevin Sundher notched his first point of the season with an assist on the overtime winner as Chilliwack defeated Everett, 5-4. Sundher began the OT in the box after being whistled for tripping with just :51 remaining in regulation. Once free, he was able to connect with a trailing Ryan Howse (CAL) to snap a four-game point drought since his return from the Sabres.

Matt MacKenzie skated to a +1 as Calgary dumped Portland, 5-1. Riley Boychuk finished the game -1 with two minor penalties and a fighting major for the Winterhawks. Portland's Sven Bartschi ('11) scored his fifth goal in three games and seventh overall. The 6'5 Boychuk was a physical presence from the get-go, earning roughing and kneeing minors in the game before drilling a pair of Hitmen on one shift that led to his first scrap of the season with 6'0 Kyle Schmidt.




Corey Fienhage was +1 as Kamloops held off Kelowna, 5-4. The Blazers will square off with Boychuk and the Winterhawks on Friday.

Brayden McNabb missed a third game with a sore shoulder as Kootenay was handled by Moose Jaw, 6-3. Morgan Rielly ('12) had a goal and two assists to lead the Warriors.

10/12 Recap: Gauthier-Leduc strikes in loss; McNabb eyes Saturday return

In a quiet Tuesday for Sabres prospects, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc scored a power play goal as Rimouski lost at Saint John, 5-3. The 18-year old gave the Oceanic a 2-1 lead with five minutes to go in the first period when a teammates' shot ricocheted off the pipe right to his stick for an easy goal. The Sea Dogs would take over from there, capitalizing on a disheveled Rimouski defense for four consecutive goals to get the win. The goal, JGL's second of the season, gives him seven points in eight games.

Out west, Kootenay's Brayden McNabb (shoulder) missed his second straight game as the Ice traveled to Regina. Listed as day-to-day, McNabb is eying a Saturday return on home ice against the Pats. The 6'4 defenseman played in three games prior to the ding, picking up an assist in each.

10/11 Recap: Kassian continues to flex; McNabb day-to-day

Zack Kassian continued his early season tear through the OHL Monday, scoring a goal, three assists, and a clear decision to propel Windsor to a 5-3 win over Sarnia. The four-point night, Kassian's second such output this season, gives him 11 points through four games since returning from Buffalo.

With three helpers in the bag and the Spits ahead 3-1 in the early stages of the second period, Kassian elected to give 6'7 Kyle Flemington a title shot to earn his first fighting major of the season.




After landing some major licks, the 6'3, 226-pounder would complete the Gordie Howe hat trick at 11:26 of the third period when he put a backhander behind Hamburg, NY native John Cullen. Not everything was rosey in the win though, as it was a Kassian turnover in the neutral zone that resulted in the second Sting goal. But hey, his overall game is coming together and mistakes will happen when you're seeing the amount of ice time that the impact forward is reaping thus far.

Also from the OHL, Gregg Sutch recorded an assist as Mississauga (5-1-0-0) needed a shootout to defeat Brampton, 5-4. The Majors' checking forward now has three assists through five games. Barclay Goodrow ('11) had a pair of goals to pace the Battalion.

In the WHL, Kevin Sundher (-3) was again held without a point as Chilliwack stumbled against Prince Albert, 5-2. Through four games, the six-foot center has no points and a cumulative -4 rating for the Bruins (3-3-0-0).

A game removed from a season-high +4, Mark Pysyk finished -4 as Edmonton edged Prince George, 8-7. Travis Ewanyk ('11) recorded a hat trick for the Oil Kings (5-2-0-0).

Corey Fienhage checked-out at -2 as Kamloops lost to Vancouver, 5-4. Colin Smith ('11) scored two goals and an assist for the Blazers (3-4-0-1).

Brayden McNabb sat out Kootenay's 1-0 shootout loss to Swift Current with a sore shoulder. The 6'4 defenseman is listed as day-to-day. The Ice (3-2-0-1) will faceoff with Regina on Tuesday.

Adam named AHL Player of the Week

I've often mentioned Luke Adam going to Portland to gain some 'professional momentum'. Well, there's nothing like being named the AHL Player of the Week in his first week on the job.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Portland Pirates center Luke Adam has been named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Oct. 10, 2010.

Adam, making his regular-season professional debut, notched four points to pace Portland to a 6-5 win over Manchester on Saturday night. He assisted on two first-period goals to help stake the Pirates to 1-0 and 2-1 leads, and then scored the game-tying and go-ahead goals late in the third period as Portland rallied for the victory. Adam was a plus-2 on the evening and tied a game high with five shots on goal while earning first-star honors.

Visit the the AHL's website for the entire story.