Windsor Spitfires General Manager Warren Rychel has announced that he will likely deal two of his star players now that Taylor Hall (EDM) and Cam Folwler (ANA) will not be coming back to the OHL. Among the players likely on the move before the January 10th trade dealine is Buffalo's 2009 first-round pick, Zack Kassian.
Rychel believes both (Ryan) Ellis and Kassian can be game changers on whatever roster either lands.
"They are big guys," Rychel said. "NHL guys."
Neither players has asked for a trade, but in recent weeks both have talked about the possibility of being traded and understand it's part of junior hockey.
I think there are three likely destinations for the bruising winger: Mississauga, Saginaw, and Kitchener. With the Majors hosting the 2011 Memorial Cup, it would seem that they'd be interesting in adding another big forward to blend into their talented crop that already includes the Sabres' 2010 fifth-round pick, Gregg Sutch. The Spirit and Rangers also make sense to have an interest in Kassian and perhaps even another Sabres prospect, Sudbury captain Marcus Foligno (more of a longshot), based on their loaded rosters and ability to make a run. This particular hockey watcher wouldn't mind if the Niagara IceDogs tossed their hat into the ring as well.
At six-foot-three and 225 pounds, Kassian combines both size and skill that few power forwards in the league possess.
"Kassian has the best combination of skill and toughness in the CHL and you need that to win in the playoffs," Rychel said.
"At the Memorial Cup (in Brandon), neither one of the western teams wanted any part of him. They wouldn't look him in the eyes.
I want everyone to take a minute and appreciate that quote....
Keep it here as Rychel is expected to act sooner rather than later.
Christian Isackson poured five points Saturday with a goal and four assists to lead Sioux Falls to an 8-4 thrashing of Youngstown. After the Phantoms took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, Isackson popped the cork on the Herd's offense with an unassisted power play tally at 11:46 of the middle frame. It was all Sioux Falls from there, as the Stampede gathered a three-goal lead before riding out an eight-goal third period to the big victory. Buffalo native and Yale commit Anthony Day had a power play goal for the Stampede.
In the OHL, Marcus Foligno was at it again physically as Sudbury lost to Oshawa, 2-1. The Wolves' leader didn't carve up the scoresheet like he has of late, but he instead made noise with a one-punch KO of Gennies 6'3 defenseman Anton Zupancic in the third period. The jab comes one night after delivering a healthy pounding of Plymouth forward R.J. Mahalak in a Sudbury win.
And....boom goes the dynamite.
Foligno and the Wolves are now off until Saturday when they meet up with Mississauga.
In other OHL action, Zack Kassian assisted on the game winning goal with just :12 to play in regulation as Windsor edged Saginaw, 3-2. Skating on the right wing with Stephen Johnston and Michael MacIntyre, the assist was Kassian's second spark offered in the contest after earlier watching his mates respond with a goal less than minute after his second period bout with Anthony Camara.
It looked like Kassian may have been bleeding in the box after eating one near the end of the fight. Either way, he returned to generate a play when his team needed it most, and that's what we're looking for right now. Windsor will host London on Thursday.
Steven Shipley scored his sixth goal of the year as Niagara dumped Peterborough, 4-2. The goal snaps a four-game goalless streak for the 6'3 forward. The IceDogs will next head to Mississauga on Wednesday for 11:00 AM meeting with the Majors.
In the WHL, Kevin Sundher continued his productive ways with a goal and an assist as Chilliwack got wacked by Kelowna, 9-3. The 6'0 center now has a five consecutive multi-point games for the Bruins after a relatively slow start that saw him net a goal and three assists through his first eight games.
Elsewhere in the Dub, Brayden McNabb didn't factor into the scoring but did throw his first fists of the year as Kootenay bested Calgary, 5-2. Matt MacKenzie finished -2 for the Hitmen, who have now lost nine games in row.
The ICE got out to 3-0 lead after one before a McNabb turnover just inside his blueline led to a short breakaway goal against. Rather ornery while receiving several challenges throughout, the 6'4 rearguard engaged rugged 6'6 Cody Beach midway through the third period.
The two teams will reconvene Thursday in Calgary.
Riley Boychuk sprayed bagels across the board as Portland doubled up Everett, 4-2. The league-leading Winterhawks will travel to Swift Current on Tuesday.
Mark Pysyk missed his second straight game as Edmonton defeated Prince George, 7-3. The OK's victory, their first since October 11th, snaps a nine-game stretch over which they finished 0-8-0-1.
In the NCAA, "Mr. Saturday Night" Connor Knapp made 18 saves as #1 Miami played to a 1-1 tie with Ferris State. Knapp now has three ties in five starts this season for the RedHawks, who failed to nab the extra shootout point.
Brad Eidsness failed to get the nod from Sioux bench boss Dave Hakstol as #9 North Dakota lost to #2 Minnesota-Duluth, 3-2 in OT. The idle weekend was the first of Eidsness' three-year career after getting at least one start in every Sioux set since arriving in Grand Forks.
Drew MacKenzie recorded a shot on goal as Vermont played to a 3-3 tie with Providence. Friars freshman defenseman Roo Adams finished the game -1.
Justin Jokinen finished -2 as Minnesota State lost to #8 Nebraska-Omaha, 5-2. The junior now sinks to a -7 rating on the season which currently ranks at the bottom of the Sabres list of 2010-11 prospects.
Nick Eno served as back-up as Bowling Green got dumped by #11 Notre Dame, 6-3.
In the QMJHL, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc and Cedrick Henely both their their respective games due to injury. Time tables on each are not yet available, but it is believed that JGL could miss the Canada/Russia SuperSeries next week with an undisclosed ding while Henley's recent wrist surgery should see him miss at least one more week.
In his first game as captain of the Sudbury Wolves, Marcus Foligno had a short-handed goal, an assist, and a Friday night fight as Sudbury downed Plymouth, 6-4. Skating on a line with John McFarland and Mike Lomas, the aggressive forward set an example from start-to-finish despite spending a chunk of time in the box to help the Wolves to their fifth win of the year.
Foligno's hard work paid off when he was sprung by Lomas to bury a short-handed breakaway to give the Wolves a 5-2 lead in the third period. A crisp highlight came as the buzzer sounded to end the first period when the newly appointed leader finished a check and proceeded to deliver a highlight reel pounding to the Whalers' R.J. Mahalak. He received two, five, and ten on the play, but the message was sent and his teammates responded.
I played this video on my phone last night to a bunch of dejected Sabres fans ranting about the team's shortcomings. It drew quite a response, including a 'Mike Tyson's Punch Out' style "body blow!" comment from one riled up spectator.
Foligno, who now has 20 points (11+9) in 14 games this season, will again lead the pack when his Wolves (5-10-1-0) host Oshawa on Saturday.
Elsewhere in the OHL, Zack Kassian was -3 with an assist as Windsor lost to Guelph, 5-3. The Spits cut the Storm's lead to 4-3 when Kassian entered the zone down the wing and made a drop-pass to Tom Kuhnhackl, who fed Alex Khokhlachev for a power play tally. The Spits (9-2-0-1) will travel to division-leading Saginaw on Saturday.
Gregg Sutch was held off the scoresheet as Mississauga defeated Brampton, 3-1. The hard-driving forward continued his energy-laced effort with a checking from behind penalty in the third period. The first place Majors (14-2-0-0) will host Erie on Sunday.
In the WHL, Kevin Sundher had two assists as Chilliwack lost to Everett, 4-3. Continuing to get it clicking after a slow start, the 6'0 center will head into next week with a streak of four consecutive multi-point efforts. Sundher will look to keep it going Tuesday when the Bruins (9-6-0-0) battle the Oil Kings.
Brayden McNabb posted a pair assists and a +3 rating as Kootenay lost in the shootout to Lethbridge, 4-3. Despite projecting to be a sturdy stay-at-homer as pro, McNabb now has eight points in seven games this season since being returned to juniors. The Ice (11-4-0-2) move on to face the Calgary Hitmen on Saturday.
Riley Boychuk picked up an assist as Portland needed overtime to defeat Red Deer, 4-3. The assist was Boychuk's first of the season to go along with three goals through the season's first 25-game block. The Winterhawks (13-2-0-1) will take a seven-game winning streak into Saturday night's match-up with Everett.
Corey Fienhage finished +2 with an assist as Kamloops downed Calgary, 5-4. The helper was Fienhage's third WHL point after spending two WCHA seasons in North Dakota. Fellow third-round pick Matt MacKenzie (-1) earned a power-play helper just 2:37 in for the Hitmen, who have now lost eight straight games. Fienhage and the Blazers square off with Lethbridge on Saturday.
Mark Pysyk was scratched as Edmonton got doubled-up by Prince George, 6-3. More to follow on Pysyk's absence. The OK's (5-10-0-1) and Cougars will play it back on Saturday.
In the Q, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc recorded a shot on goal as Rimouski ended a seven-game losing streak with a 5-3 win over his former club, Rouyn-Noranda. The Nics (10-12-0-0) will look to keep their momentum going when they play a rematch with the Huskies on Saturday. EDIT: Gauthier-Leduc was injured in the game, and will miss Saturday's rematch and likely the QMJHL leg of the CAN/RUS Challenge. (tap on the pads to Jerome from NHLDraftVideo.com for the heads up).
In NCAA action, Nick Eno made 30 saves, including a spectacular diving stop that drew a standing ovation, as Bowling Green defeated #11 Notre Dame, 3-2. After stopping all 18 shots faced through two periods, Eno made the save of the season when he sprawled right-to-left to block an Anders Lee shot after a rebound left the Irish forward with a wide open net. With a goaltending rotation in place for the Falcons (4-5-0), it's hard to say if Eno will return to the pipes for Saturday's rematch. You can watch his postgame interview here.
Justin Jokinen (-2) earned an assist as Minnesota State lost at #8 Nebraska-Omaha, 5-1. The helper ends a six-game point drought for the junior forward. The Mavericks (2-3-4) will look to get to .500 mark when the clubs close their weekend set on Saturday.
Drew MacKenzie skated even as Vermont lost to Lowell, 3-1. The Catamounts held a 1-0 lead before surrendering three unanswered goals in the third period to move to 0-3-2 on the year.
Also from Hockey East, Mark Adams was +1 was Providence shut out Merrimack, 2-0. The Friars (3-4-1) will look to keep MacKenzie and UVM among the winless when they host the Cats on Saturday.
Connor Knapp took his usual Friday post on the bench as #1 Miami suffered their first CCHA defeat of the season, 3-2 to Ferris State. The 6'5 netminder will be in net when the RedHawks (5-2-2) look to gain the split on Saturday.
Brad Eidsness did not play as Aaron Dell backstopped #9 North Dakota to a 4-2 win over #2 Minnesota-Duluth. The junior stopper is expected to get the nod when the Sioux (5-3-1) look for the sweep on Saturday.
In the USHL, Christian Isackson (-1) posted two shots on goal as Sioux Falls fell to Lincoln, 3-1. The Stampede (9-6-3-0) will host Youngstown on Saturday.
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On Thursday, Sutch did not record a point as the Majors blanked Niagara, 3-0. Steven Shipley failed to hit the scoresheet for the IceDogs, who will suit up on Saturday against Peterborough.
In the lone humpday affair on the Sabres prospect slate, Corey Fienhage was even with a holding minor as Kamloops lost to Kelowna, 5-3.
In other news, Val-d'Or forward Cedrick Henley has continued to miss time after having surgery to repair a genetic wrist defect. He's expected to make a 100% recovery, but could still miss a total of eight weeks of action while on the mend.
Kevin Sundher (+1) collected two assists Tuesday as Chilliwack continued their strong start with a 6-2 trouncing of Central Division-leading Kootenay. The second-line center has now produced three straight multi-point games to up his total to 10 (3+7) through 12 games for the Bruins (9-5-0-0). Kootenay dman Brayden McNabb (-2) went without a point for the first time this season, ending a five-game streak that began before his October 9th shoulder injury. The Ice (11-4-0-0) move on to face Lethbridge on Friday, while Sundher will look to extend his point streak to four games on Friday when Chilliwack hosts Everett.
Elsewhere in the WHL, Matt MacKenzie skated even as Calgary was nipped by Medicine Hat, 2-1. The loss was the seventh straight for the last-place Hitmen (4-11). The "all-situations" MacKenzie, while not being known as a prime offensive option, has gone without a point throughout the skid after earning three (1+2) through in his first six games. Calgary will look to end the slump Friday against Corey Fienhage and the Kamloops Blazers.
In OHL play, Gregg Sutch saw his four-game point streak come to end as OHL top dog Mississauga scrapped past Oshawa, 4-1. Despite being held without a point, the Majors' right wing made his presence felt with several hard hits in the game, including a booming open-ice take-out of 16-year old Cody Payne in the early second period that teed up his part in the game's fifth of six fights against 6'0 defenseman, Nick Quinn.
A couple decent shots tossed by Sutch, followed of course by the obligatory mention of his hearing impairment...
On Thursday, the Majors will carry their sparkling 12-2-0-0 record into key Central Division match-up with Steven Shipley and the second place Niagara Ice Dogs.
The Buffalo Sabres have announced the signing of 2009 first-round pick Zack Kassian to a three-year entry level contract. The deal, which comes on the heels of the bruising forward being cleared of any criminal charges stemming from an off-season bar fight, will kick-in next fall.
Now in his fourth year of junior hockey, the 19-year-old Kassian (1/24/1991, 6’3”, 226 lbs.) currently leads the Ontario Hockey League’s Windsor Spitfires in scoring with 20 points (7+13) through 11 games. Kassian, who missed the start of the OHL season after an extended stay at Sabres training camp, is among the league leaders in scoring and has already posted a pair of four-point games this season.
The Windsor, Ont.-native has 135 points (52+83) in 168 career OHL games with Windsor and Peterborough. Kassian was traded to Windsor last season, and played a key role in the team’s Memorial Cup championship run. He finished with 16 points (7+9) in 19 playoff games, and added another five points (2+3) during the Memorial Cup tournament. The hard-hitting winger has also amassed 365 PIM’s during his four years in junior.
My take? This was expected and I'm glad it's done.
I won't be a revisionist and suggest that the team should have gotten things done in the offseason to offer the big boy a clean shot at sticking. There is no question the could Sabres have an immediate use for his bullish presence, but as a business they acted properly by deferring to the legal process. In the end, it's good to see quick action by both parties to close the sale.
Kassian will remain in the OHL but may still skate on HSBC Arena ice this winter as the banger's hot start has made him a virtual lock to wear a Canadian sweater when Buffalo hosts the 2011 World Junior Championships.
The American Hockey League announced today that Portland Pirates center Luke Adam has been named the Reebok/AHL Rookie of the Month for October. In nine games, Adam tallied six goals, seven assists and a plus-6 rating to help the Pirates to the top of the Atlantic Division standings.
Adam’s professional career began on Oct. 9 with a four-point performance, including two third-period goals, in a 6-5 win over Manchester. He had a second four-point effort a week later, scoring one goal and assisting on three others in a 4-2 victory over Springfield on Oct. 16. Adam ran his goal-scoring streak to three games with markers at Bridgeport on Oct. 17 and vs. Manchester on Oct. 19, and had a goal and two assists as part of a 6-5 win at Norfolk on Oct. 29. Adam also earned two recalls to Buffalo during the month, making his NHL debut with the Sabres at Philadelphia on Oct. 26.
Marcus Foligno notched a hat trick and an assist Sunday, but Sudbury could not make it hold up in a 7-5 loss to Mississauga. The 6’3 grinder, who capped the hatty with a pair of goals just 2:41 apart in the second period, now has 10 goals and 18 points through the first 13 games of the season. Sudbury would surrender the lead when Gregg Sutch tied it up for the Majors at 8:55 of the third period. The goal was Sutch’s second of the season, giving him a four-game point streak heading into Tuesday’s game at Oshawa. Sudbury will look to end a four-game losing streak Friday against Plymouth.
Worth noting about Foligno's upward trend is that at this point last season, he was mired in the middle of a 22-game goal scoring slump that stretched from September 26th to November 24th. For him to get off to a hot start on one of the league's weaker teams is the most encouraging early development of the prospect season.
In the Q, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc finished even as Rimouski lost to Drummondville, 5-1. Losers of six straight, the stumbling Oceanic will continue to search for a victory Friday at Rouyn-Noranda.
In WHL play, Matt MacKenzie finished even as Calgary lost to Saskatoon, 5-3. The Hitmen will look to erase their own six-game losing skid on Tuesday versus Medicine Hat.
Kevin Sundher scored a late power play goal and added an assist Saturday as Chilliwack came up short against Medicine Hat, 5-4. The multi-point night, the second in as many nights for the six-footer, ups his season total to eight (3+5) through his first 11 games. Toting three goals in his last four games, Sundher will look to connect on his first three-game point streak of the season Tuesday when the Bruins (8-5-0-0) lace 'em up with Kootenay. Emerson Etem knocked in a hat trick to lead the Tigers.
Riley Boychuk did not factor into the scoring as Portland continued to roll with a 6-1 stomping of Kelowna. Talented 2011's Ty Rattie (2G, 1A) and Sven Bartschi (1G, 1A) paced the Winterhawks attack, while fellow '11 Shane McColgan scored a goal for the Rockets. Portland (12-2-0-1) is off until next Friday when they host Red Deer.
Mark Pysyk was -1 with a roughing minor as Edmonton stumbled against Vancouver, 4-2. The slumping Oil Kings (5-9-01), losers in their last seven tries, will look to right the ship next Friday at Prince George.
Corey Fienhage skated even as Kamloops earned a 3-2 overtime win from Seattle. The Blazers (8-7-0-1) will host Kelowna on Wednesday.
In the OHL, Zack Kassian extended his point streak to five games with an assist as Windsor needed a shootout to edge Niagara, 4-3. During a first period power play, Kassian deflected a point-shot that created a goal off the rebound. IceDog forward Steven Shipley saw his three-game point streak snapped in the loss. Windsor (9-6-0-1) will take a three-game winning streak in a Friday meeting at Guelph, while Niagara (10-4-1-1) will move on to Thursday's matchup with Mississauga.
Gregg Sutch (+1) extended his own point streak to three games with an assist as Mississauga defeated Barrie, 5-2. The win improves the Majors' season mark to 10-2-0-0.
Marcus Foligno saw his six-game point streak come to an end as Sudbury lost to Belleville, 5-1. The lowly Wolves (4-9-1-0) will travel to play Sutch's Majors on Sunday.
In the Q, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc finished the night -2 as Rimouski suffered their fifth straight loss at the hands of Shawinigan, 5-1. The Oceanic roster is loaded with talent, but they haven't been working hard and thus have become way too soft in their own end. A cumulative -10 throughout the team's slump, JGL continued his improved Friday effort with a team-best four hits in Saturday's loss. Rimouski (9-11-0-0) will look for an elusive victory Sunday when they lock horns with Sean Coutuier ('11) and the Voltigeurs.
In NCAA action, Drew MacKenzie had an assist as Vermont lost in overtime to #7 Maine, 3-2. Midway though the third, MacKenzie fired a shot during a five-on-three that was tipped in by Williamsville, NY native Jack Downing to eventually force the OT.
Connor Knapp made 21 saves as #1 Miami played to a 2-2 tie with Lake Superior. Knapp looked to have his second win of the year in the bag before allowing a goal with seven seconds remaining in regulation. The RedHawks, who earned the extra tiebreaker point in the shootout, will travel to Ferris State on Friday.
Brad Eidsness made 14 saves as #8 North Dakota was shutout by #12 Denver, 3-0. The junior allowed two goals on the evening (the third was an empty netter), one off a tic-tac-toe play in the first period and another on a shorthanded breakaway in the second. The contest was marred a ferocious hit by Sioux forward Brad Malone that rendered the recipient, Pioneer Jesse Martin, unconscious on the ice. The Thrashers prospect came-to after being taken off on a stretcher with his future assessment to be performed by the Pio medical team. North Dakota will likley continue their goalie rotation next weekend at Duluth.
Justin Jokinen did not record a point or a shot on net as Minnesota State skated to a 2-2 tie with #16 Alaska-Fairbanks. The junior forward has now game six games without a point after netting three in the Mavs' first two games of the year. Minnesota State moves on to a set with Nebraska-Omaha next weekend.
Mark Adams finished -1 as Providence defeated Massachusetts, 3-2. The Friars will host Merrimack on Friday.
Nick Eno served as back-up as Bowling Green continued their goalie rotation in a 4-1 loss at Alaska-Fairbanks. The Falcons will continue their CCHA slate next weekend versus Notre Dame.
In the USHL, Christian Isackson recorded two shots on goal as Sioux Falls squeaked past Fargo, 2-1. The Stampede (8-6-2-0) will travel to Lincoln on Friday.
Christian Isackson scored a goal and two assists Friday as Sioux Falls cruised to a 7-4 win over Lincoln. The nifty USHL rookie also poured a game-high eight shots on goal, one of which was a third period wrister that lit the lamp, to help the Stampede to their fourth straight win. Buffalo native Anthony Day had a goal and an assist for the Herd (5-2), who will square off with Fargo on Saturday.
In the OHL, Gregg Sutch scored his first goal of the season as Mississauga downed Kingston, 5-1. The 6'2 checker converged on the crease and finished off a short pass to end his nine-game drought. Sutch has seven points (1+6) through his first 10 games after totaling just eight in 2009-10 (43 games). The Majors (9-2-0-0) will travel to Barrie on Saturday before playing Sunday afternoon hosts to Sudbury.
Marcus Foligno extended his point streak to six games with an assist on the Wolves lone goal as Sudbury fell to Kitchener, 3-1. The 19-year old was tossed from the game after being whistled for a third period kneeing major and could face disciplinary action from the league as a result. Sudbury takes on Belleville on Saturday. Tobias Rieder ('11) had a goal and an assist for the Rangers.
Zack Kassian tapped in his seventh goal of the year as Windsor defeated Erie, 3-2. Kassian's rebound knock-in midway through the second period tied the game for the Spits before Eric Locke ('12) notched the game-winner to earn Windsor their first road win of the season.
Steven Shipley was credited with pair of assists for the second night in a row as Niagara used a shootout to squeak past Brampton, 5-4. Ryan Strome ('11) had a goal and an assist for the IceDogs.
Jerome Gauthier-Leduc posted a -2 as Rimouski continued to falter with a 5-3 loss to Victoriaville. The Oceanic have now lost their last four games, with JGL posting a -8 over the stretch. Rimouski has a lot of talent on its roster, but have yet to put the work in to consistently win games.
Cedrick Henley missed a third straight game as Val-d'Or was clobbered by Saint John, 7-3.
In the WHL, Kevin Sundher collected a goal and an assist as Chilliwack took it to Calgary, 7-2. The multi-point effort was the first of the season for the 6'0 center. Thje Bruins (8-4-0-0) have now won four straight contests. Fellow 2010 third rounder Matt MacKenzie was -1 as the Hitmen suffered their fifth consecutive loss.
Brayden McNabb scored his first goal of the season as Kootenay got past Brandon, 5-4 in a shootout. Trailing 3-0, McNabb, who got off a low, hard slapshot through traffic to get the Ice on the board for the first of four straight goals, now has a point in all five games he's appeared in this season. Kootenay (11-3-0-1) will take a seven-game winning streak into Tuesday's meeting with Chilliwack.
Riley Boychuk potted his third goal of the season as Portland doubled Kelowna, 4-2. The rugged 6'5 forward, who buried a shot from right dot off a cross-ice feed, also added three minors to his bulging penalty minute total. The win improves the Winterhawks to an impressive 11-2-0-0 season mark.
In NCAA play, Nick Eno made 23 saves as Bowling Green lost 4-1 at Alaska-Fairbanks. Eno hung tough with some solid stops, with three of the Nanook tallies coming on the power play.
Justin Jokinen recorded a shot on goal as Minnesota State defeated #16 Alaska, 3-2. For those wishing to get a look at the 2008 fourth rounder, NHL Network will be replaying the game Saturday at 3:00.
Mark Adams finished +1 as Providence played to a 3-3 tie with Massachusetts. The Friars will re-engage with thier Hockey East foe on Saturday evening on home ice.
Connor Knapp took his usual Friday spot on the bench as Cody Reichard backstopped #1 Miami to a 6-2 win over Lake Superior. The 6'5 puckstopper will likely man the crease when the RedHawks look for the sweep on Saturday.
Brad Eidsness was sat in favor of Aaron Dell as #8 North Dakota defeated #12 Denver, 4-3. With the Sioux planning on using a goaltender rotation, expect to see Eidsness get the nod when the teams rematch on Saturday.
Zack Kassian scored his sixth goal of the season Thursday as Windsor doubled up Sault Ste. Marie, 4-2. Kassian also connected for his second fight of the season when he tussled with Soo toughguy Dylan King for the second time in as many seasons after smoking a Greyhound along the boards.
Also from the OHL, Steven Shipley delivered two assists including one on the game-winning goal as Niagara defeated Plymouth, 5-2. Ryan Strome ('11) scored his seventh and eighth goals of season to pace the Dogs.
On Thursday, Brayden McNabb returned after an eight-game absence to notch an assist and a +2 rating as Kootenay shutout Calgary, 3-0. The 6'4 blueliner announced his return by executing a booming open-ice hit in the early goings and he found his game legs. Matt MacKenzie posted a -1 for the Hitmen, who lost their fourth straight.
Kevin Sundher finished -1 as Chilliwack edged Edmonton, 2-1. Mark Pysyk was +1 for the Oil Kings.
Corey Fienhage went -2 with a roughing minor as Kamloops dropped a 6-4 decision to Brandon.
In the QMJHL, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc played even with three hits and a goaltender interference penalty as Rimouski fell to Lewiston, 4-2.
Cedrick Henley missed his secnd straight game with an undisclosed injury as Val-d'Or lost to Saint John, 5-4.
On Tuesday, Marcus Foligno scored his seventh goal of the year as Sudbury lost to Kingston, 6-2.
