11/13 Recap: Sutch serves apples as Majors roll

Gregg Sutch (+3) dished three assists Saturday as first-place Mississauga bested last-place Barrie, 6-4. With helpers on all three goals by Rob Flick, Sutch now has five points in his last two games and a total of 14 points (3+11) on the season. The Majors (17-2-0-1) are unbeaten in their last eleven games.

In the WHL, Kevin Sundher finished +2 as Chilliwack overcame a two-goal deficit but lost in overtime to Everett, 3-2. Sundher, who earlier took a high-sticking penalty resulting in a Tips power play goal, showed a good burst through the majority of the OT until Ryan Murray ('11) ended it when his shot changed direction with :23 to go. Sundher and the Bruins (10-8-2-0) will return to action on Friday against Tri-City.

Corey Fienhage put forth another steady effort as Kamloops rode a strong second period to a 4-0 shutout win over Kelowna. The Blazer victory halts the Rockets six-game winning streak. The physical Fienhage has clearly benefited from the increased ice-time that the WHL offers. A quarter of the way through his first junior season, the 20-year old rearguard. He's calmer than ever with the puck and looks in control in terms of the pace of the game. Fienhage and the Blazers will play again on Sunday versus Everett.

Brayden McNabb and the rest of his blueline mates were solid all night as Kootenay shut out Edmonton, 1-0. Mark Pysyk saw his minutes increase as the game wore on for the Oil Kings, who fired just twelve shots on goals as they wrapped up a six-game road trip. McNabb and the Ice (14-4-0-2) will continue their road trip Sunday in Calgary, while Pysyk's Oil Kings (7-13-0-1) are off until Saturday when they host Red Deer.

Riley Boychuk registered four penalty minutes as Portland drilled Prince Albert, 8-2. Sven Bartschi ('11) scored his 15th and 16th goals of the season to pace the surging Winterhawks (17-3-0-2). Portland wil continue their road swing Monday in Moose Jaw.

Elsewhere in the OHL, Steven Shipley was even with a hooking minor as Niagara shut out Sudbury, 2-0. Marcus Foligno had the rare quiet night for the Wolves with no points or PIM. The Ice Dogs (13-6-1-1), who were led by a goal and assist from rising talent Ryan Strome ('11), are off until next Friday when they take on the Majors. Foligno and the Wolves (5-13-1-0) will square off with Guelph on Sunday.

Zack Kassian finished -1 as Windsor lost to Owen Sound, 4-3. Kassian again logged big minutes but was unable to muster offense down the stretch for the Spits (11-9-0-1). Windsor returns to the ice on Friday in London.

In a QMJHL note, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc missed his third straight game due to injury as Rimouski lost to Cape Breton, 6-5.

In NCAA action, Drew MacKeznie (+3) was on the ice for four Catamount goals as Vermont upset #7 Boston College, 5-3. The Catamounts (1-4-3) will have extra time to savor their first win of the year, taking next weekend off before re-grouping for a mid-week meeting with Massachusetts the night before Thanksgiving.

Mark Adams skated even with a shot on goal and an interference minor as Providence earned the weekend sweep with a 4-2 win over Alabama-Huntsville. The Friars (5-4-2) will resume their Hockey East schedule with a home-and-home next weekend with Northeastern.

Justin Jokinen (-1) recorded a shot on goal as Minneosta State was blown out at Denver, 6-1. The Mavericks (2-6-4) may have the worst power play in the NCAA after going 0/14 in their two weekend losses. They'll have two weeks to correct it before traveling to Lowell on the 26th.

Connor Knapp made 24 saves as #4 Miami lost to #13 Alaska, 3-2. After stopping 12 of 13 shots through the opening forty minutes, Knapp faced 13 more in a busy third period. They game was tied until a puck tipped past the 6'5 netminder with :30 left in regulation to give the Nooks their fourth straight split in Oxford. The loss sets the RedHawks back to a 6-3-3 on the year.

Brad Eidsness rode the pine for a fourth straight game as North Dakota took the broom to Wisconsin, 4-2. This is new territory for the junior netminder after playing at least one game per weekend since arriving in Grand Forks three seasons ago. North Dakota (7-4-1) will travel to Nebraska-Omaha next weekend.

Nick Eno served as backup in Bowling Green's 5-1 loss Northern Michigan. The Falcons (5-7-0) will host a CCHA set with Miami next weekend.

In the USHL, Christian Isackson earned an even-strength assist as Sioux Falls dropped a 4-3 decision to Lincoln. The Herd held a 3-1 leading after two period before surrendering three goals in the first half of the third period. Sioux Falls (8-3) is off until Friday when they tangle with Fargo.

11/10-12 Recap: Eno re-emerging; Boychuk getting warm

Nick Eno continued his excellent play in the Bowling Green crease Friday, stopping 26 of 27 shots en route to a 2-1 road win win at Northern Michigan. The 6'3 junior has now won his last two starts to up his season mark to 3-3 with a 3.01 goals against average and .891 save percentage. Even with consecutive strong showings by Eno and Andrew Hammond's not-so-hot appearance last weekend, the Falcons goaltending rotation may continue on Saturday as Chris Bergeron prefers the continuity of the status quo.

Elsewhere in NCAA play, Drew MacKenzie posted a pair of assists as Vermont remained winless with a 3-2 loss to #7 Boston College. The multi-point outing was the fourth of MacKenzie's career and first since last February against BU. The two clubs will go at ti again on Saturday at Gutterson.

Justin Jokinen scored his third goal of the season as Minnesota State hung tough in a 3-2 loss at #15 Denver. The junior forward's 15-foot wrister evened the game at a goal apiece before the end of the opening twenty. The goal was Jokinen's first since October 9th, snapping an eight-game drought. The Mavs and Pios will play it back on Saturday.

Freshman Mark Adams was even as Providence's 3-1 handling of Alabama-Huntsville. The 6'3 defenseman is -2 with three minor penalties through his first ten NCAA contests, and will look for his first point when the teams rematch on Saturday.

"Mr. Saturday Night" Connor Knapp served as backup as Cody Reichard pitched a shutout in #4 Miami's 4-0 win over #14 Alaska. Knapp will ready to go on Saturday.

Brad Eidsness watched for the third straight game as Aaron Dell posted a 16-save shutout in #10 North Dakota's 1-0 win over #13 Wisconsin. There is still a chance that Sioux bench boss Dave Hakstol goes with Eidness on Saturday. Stay tuned.

In the WHL, Riley Boychuk scored his sixth goal of the year as Portland saw their ten-game winning streak come to an end in a 4-3 loss to Saskatoon. The hulking forward also received a ten-minute misconduct for his participation in a first-period line brawl sparked by a big Nino Niederreiter hit. Boychuk now has three goals in his last two contests and is playing his best hockey right now for a well-oiled Winterhawks club.

Kevin Sundher went without a point for the second straight game as Chilliwack lost to Red Deer, 4-3. Consensus top-3 pick for next June, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, finished -1 for the Rebels.

Mark Pysyk (+1) had a power play assist as Edmonton lost to Spokane, 4-3. Michael St. Croix ('11) also had an assist for the Oil Kings.

In the OHL, Gregg Sutch (+3) had a goal and an assist as Mississauga cruised past Sudbury, 8-4. Marcus Foligno matched Sutch with a goal and an assist of his own for the losing Wolves to up his season total to 22 points (12+10) through 16 games. Sudbury forward John McMarland went down with an ankle injury in the third period and looks to miss a fair amount of time as the OHL trade activity starts to heat up.

Zack Kassian had an assist as Windsor lost to defensive-minded Plymouth, 2-1. The Spits' co-leader with 26 points, Kassian found himself blanketed by the Whalers top pairing of Austin Levi and Beau Schmitz for most of the game.

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc remained out of the lineup with an unspecified injury as Rimouski edged Chicoutimi, 5-4. Gauthier-Leduc, who missed both games of this week's QMJHL's CAN/RUS Super Series leg, is getting closer to returning after skating in non-contact drills at the 'Nics Thursday practice.

The Sabres other QMJHL prospect, Cedrick Henley, has been out of the Val-d'Or lineup since October 23rd after having surgery to repair a genetic wrist issue. I've yet to hear of a timetable on his return, but expect him to remain out for some time. The surgery was the same one that he had on his opposite wrist as midget.

In the USHL, Christian Isackson had a secondary assist on the game-winner as Sioux Falls defeated Omaha, 2-1. The Stampede return to action Saturday night versus Lincoln.


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In Thursday action, Boychuk had his best game of the year for Portland, scoring in the first period and then tying the game on a deflection with three minutes remaining to force overtime as Portland extended their winning streak to ten games with a 5-4 win over Regina.

Brayden McNabb had an assist and was +3 as Kootenay doubled Calgary, 4-2. McNabb now points in three straight games. Matt MacKenzie (-1) posted an assist for the Hitmen, who are winless in their last 11 games.

Sundher saw his six-game point streak snapped as Chilliwack was handed a 5-1 loss by Vancouver. The 6'0 center had 11 points over the productive span to get move him up the Bruins scoring list after a slow start through his first couple of weeks.

Steven Shipley had a goal and an assist as Niagara pulled out a 5-4 win over Saginaw. The multi-point effort elevates Ship to a point-per-game player with 18 points (7+11) in as many games for the second-place IceDogs.

On Wednesday, Shipley (-1) and Mississauga banger Sutch (even) failed to register points in the Majors 3-1 win over the IceDogs.

Also from Wednesday OHL action, Kassian had a big night with two goals and an assist as Windsor took a 5-4 OT decision over London. With London a possible suitor for his services, Kassian was engaged throughout with cuts through the D and good possession plays down low to help the Spits to a big victory over their rival.

My apologies for mid-week lag...

11/9 Recap: Sundher streaks to six; Pysyk returns

Kevin Sundher extended his point streak to six games with an assist Tuesday as Chilliwack was nipped by Edmonton, 4-3 in OT. Sundher has scored 11 points during the streak to up his season production to a point-per-game through 15 contests. Mark Pysyk (-1) returned to the Oil Kings lineup after a two-game absence, earning a coincidental roughing minor with Sundher as time expired in the second period.

Riley Boychuk finished even as Portland defeated Swift Current, 4-2. The Winterhawks, who have been on cruise control of since the return of top-5 picks Ryan Johansen and Nino Niederreiter, have won their last nine games.

Kassian on the move?

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.

11/6 Recap: High five for Isackson in fight-filled Saturday

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.

11/5 Recap: Foligno runs with "C"; Eno spectacular as Falcons soar

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.

11/2 Recap: Sundher rolls and the right wing strikes

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.

Sabres sign Kassian

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.

From the Sabres:

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.

Adam tabbed for AHL honor

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.

Please visit sabres.com for the complete story.

10/31 Recap: Foligno trick fails to treat

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.