1/26 Recap: Boychuk pours career high as 'Hawks dominate

Riley Boychuk (+4) contributed a goal and three assists Wednesday as Portland smoked Chilliwack, 9-2. With a career-high four points, the 6'5 power forward elevates his season line to 13-12-25 through 45 games. Last season, Boychuk went 14-16-30 in 66 games.

Brayden McNabb scored a goal and an assist in Kootenay's 5-4 loss to Brandon. The Kootenay captain's second straight two-point outing lifts his season point total to 42 (12+30).

Mark Pysyk scored his second goal of the year as Edmonton lost to Saskatoon, 4-3. The even-strength marker was Pysyk's first since December 3rd.

Corey Fienhage earned an assist and his third fighting major of the season as Kamloops was dominated by Prince George, 9-5. The 6'4 defenseman stepped in to take on Jesse Forsberg after the Cougars forward put a big hit oin the WHL's third leading scorer, Brendan Ranford,






In the QMJHL, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc notched an assist as Rimouski lost to Quebec, 5-4.The assist keeps Gauthier-Leduc tied for seventh in scoring among QMJHL defenders with 33 points.

1/23 Recap: McNabb points, Boychuk stays hot on fight-filled Sunday

In Sunday WHL play, Brayden McNabb scored 30-seconds into play and added an assist but Kootenay would eventually be overcome by Red Deer, 6-4. The two-point night raises McNabb's point total to an even 40 on the year. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins posted four assists to lead the Rebels charge.

Riley Boychuk scored his 12th goal of the season as Portland edged Spokane, 6-5 in overtime. The 6'5 banger earned an instigator and fighting major when he dropped the gloves with 6'5 Corbin Baldwin late in the second period. Boychuk stepped in after teammate Bredan Leipisic ('12) was flattened, throwing a big one and getting the sweater up on Baldwin before the refs jumped in.



Kevin Sundher (-2) did not factor into the scoring as Chilliwack got throttled by Vancouver, 7-3. The 6'0 center showed some fire in the loss though, earning his first fighting major of the year when he one-punch KO'd Greg Lamoureux as time expired in the first period. Lamoureux did not return after taking the hard right  hand.







 Matt MacKenzie finished -1 as Tri-City lost to Kelowna, 4-3.

In the OHL, Marcus Foligno finished +1 with an assist as Sudbury defeated Brampton, 3-1. The Wolves captain dropped the gloves for the fourth time this season when he wrestled with the Troops' Scott Tanski.






Steven Shipley finished -1 with a roughing minor as Niagara was doubled by Mississauga, 6-3. Majors forward Gregg Sutch remained out of action with an upper body injury.

In the QMJHL, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc registered a -1 as Rimouski lost to Lewiston, 3-1.

In exhibition play, Mark Adams finished +1 as Providence defeated Team USA U18, 5-4.

1/22 Recap: Foligno ramping up; Knapp gets shutout

Marcus Foligno (+1) scored a power play and added two assists Saturday as Sudbury lost in a shootout at Niagara, 5-4. The hard-checking Foligno has 45 points n 35 games this season, including 17 in his last 10 for the most productive ten-game block of his junior career. Steven Shipley was a -1 for the victorious IceDogs.

Zack Kassian saw his 11-game point streak come to an end as Windsor skated past Barrie, 5-2.

In the WHL, Matt MacKenzie finished +2 with a fighting major as Tri-City  defeated Everett, 7-4. Midway through the first period, the 6'2 rearguard engaged Ryan Harrison for his third fight of the year and first as an Am:





Elsewhere in the Dub, Mark Pysyk earned an assist as Edmonton lost in a shootout to Medicine Hat, 6-5.

Kevin Sundher (-3) contributed an assist as Chilliwack was downed by Prince George, 4-3 in a shootout.

Corey Fienhage finished -3 as Kelowna lost to Vancouver, 6-1.

In the NCAA, Connor Knapp made 26 saves to earn his second shutout of the season as Miami downed Michigan State, 4-0. The shutout, the seventh of Knapp's three-year collegiate career, helped the RedHawks earn the split after getting dominated by the Spartans on Friday.

Justin Jokinen (+1) registered an assist and three shots on goal as Minnesota State lost to Wisconsin, 2-1.

Brad Eidsness served as backup as North Dakota defeated Nebraska-Omaha, 4-2.

Drew MacKenzie finished -1 as Vermont was shut down by Massachusetts, 6-0.

In the USHL, Christian Isackson posted two shots on goal as Sioux Falls fell to Team USA, 3-2.

1/21 Recap: Boychuk plays hero

Riley Boychuk scored the overtime winner Friday and added an assist as Portland defeated Everett, 3-2. Boychuk, who netted his 11th of the season in the #1 star effort, has 2+1 and a +5 rating in six games of the 2011 calendar. Perhaps more important, the 6'5 power forward skated his second straight game without a penalty after getting whistled for a minor in seven straight contests.

Mark Pysyk (+1) notched an assist as Edmonton got doubled by Moose Jaw, 6-3. Pysyk is currently a +19 through 37 games. Last season he finished -19 in 48 games.

Brayden McNabb picked up a power play assist as Kootenay lost at Spokane, 5-2. The 6'4 anchor remains 6th in scoring for WHL defensemen with 37 points (10+27).

Kevin Sundher failed to record a point for the third straight game as Chilliwack needed overtime to earn a 3-2 win over Kamloops. Sundher quiet patch is his longest since he opened the season with a four-game drought. Corey Fienhage finished +1 for the Blazers.

In the QMJHL, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc earned a pair of assists as Rimouski defeated Quebec, 4-3. The 18-year old is currently ranked 6th among QMJHL defensemen with 32 points (8+24).

In the OHL, Steven Shipley scored his 13th goal of the year as Niagara defeated Mississauga, 5-3. Shipley's tip of a Luke Mercer point-shot ended a four-game point drought - his longest in the past two seasons. Gregg Sutch remained out of the lineup with a UBI.

Marcus Foligno did not factor into the scoresheet as Sudbury edged Barrie, 3-2. The quiet night ends his streak of five straight games with a point since returning from the World Juniors.

In the NCAA, Connor Knapp came on in relief to allow two goals on nine shots as Miami lost to Michigan State, 7-4. The RedHawks lose despite outshooting the Spartans by a 46-22 margin.

Brad Eidsness also was given some relief work as North Dakota was doubled by Nebraska-Omaha, 8-4. Eidsness entered play at the midpoint of the game, allowing four goals on 15 shots in his first league action since November 19th (when he was yanked against the same UNO club).

Drew MacKenzie (-1) punched two shots on goal as Vermont skated to a 2-1 win over Massachusetts.

Mark Adams finished -1 as Providence fell in overtime to New Hampshire, 4-3.

Justin Jokinen logged a -2 as Minnesota State fell short against Wisconsin, 3-2.

In the USHL, Christian Isackson contributed three shots on goal as Sioux Falls won a 3-2 OT decision over Youngstown. Earlier in a mid-week tilt, Christian Isackson scored an empty-net goal as Sioux Falls defeated Tri-City, 3-1.

In Thursday play, Zack Kassian extended his point streak to 11 games with a pair of goals as Windsor took a shootout over Brampton, 6-5. Kassian, who potted his 20th and 21st goals of the season, missed the chance at the hat trick in overtime when he missed on a penalty shot after being hauled down just :16 in.

On Wednesday, Matt MacKenzie scored a power play goal as Tri-City shutout Kamloops, 5-0. MacKenzie has two goals in five games since being traded to the Americans after having just two in 40 starts with Calgary. Kamloops' Fienhage picked up 12 PIM on the evening, including a misconduct from a scrum after some Blazers stickwork.

1/18 Recap: McNabb nabs 10th; Pysyk logs a "minus"

Brayden McNabb (+1) scored his 10th goal of the season Tuesday as Kootenay held off Edmonton, 4-3. McNabb made a game-saving play at the goalmouth in the final minute as the surging Oil Kings looked to complete the four-goal comeback. Edmonton captain Mark Pysyk finished -2, ending his 23-game streak of games rated even or better, while adding four penalty minutes (boarding, interference) to his season line.

Matt MacKenzie (-3) saw his two-game point streak come to an end as Tri-City lost to Portland, 5-4. Riley Boychuk missed the game with an unspecified injury for the Winterhawks.

Kevin Sundher (-1) did not factor as Chilliwack was easily handled by Spokane, 6-1. The 6'0 pivot has now gone two games without a point for the just the third time this season after beginning the year with a four-game rut.

Corey Fienhage recorded six penalty minutes as Kamloops used a shootout to edge Seattle, 4-3. The Blazers (21-24-1-1) will square off with MacKenzie and the Ams on Wednesday.

1/17 recap: Isackson clicking in new year

Christian Isackson scored a pair of goals Monday to lead Sioux Falls past Fargo, 3-1. The even-strength tallies, Isackson's sixth and seventh of his USHL career, were enough to spark the Herd to their fifth straight win as future coach Don Luicia looked on. The two-goal output gives the Minnesota commit six points in his last five games after enduring an eight-game point drought that lasted from Black Friday to New Year's Day.

The Stampede (16-10-4) will host Tri-City on Wednesday.

Monday Morning Stat Sheet

 Thought I'd save you a click...

1/16 Recap: Kassian's streak hits ten; Pysyk cruising

Zack Kassian extended his point streak to 10 games Sunday, scoring his 19th goal of the season on the power play as Windsor defeated Kingston, 3-1. Kassian has gone 8+11 over his current streak, including four goals and two assists in five games since returning from his stint with Team Canada. With 54 points, the 6'3 power forward is currently tied for 15th on the OHL's leaderboard.

Marcus Foligno posted an assist and two minor penalties as Sudbury upended Oshawa, 5-3. The 6'3 captain is currently second on the Wolves with 42 points, while leading the special teams charge with eight power play goals and five shorties. Nicklas Jensen ('11) scored a pair of goal for the losing Generals.

In the WHL, Mark Pysyk earned an assist as Edmonton lost a hard-fought road game at Moose Jaw, 3-2. The steady defender now has a goal and 18 assists in 36 games this season, while being a "minus" player just five times. The Sunday +1 continues his 23-game streak of being rated even or better, thrusting him into the Sabres prospects season lead with a +20 mark.

Also of note, Mississauga grinder Gregg Sutch missed his fifth straight game due to an apparent head injury as the Majors downed Ottawa, 6-1.

1/15 Recap: Foligno hits career mark; Kassian continues streak

Marcus Foligno (+2) scored his 18th goal of the season Saturday and added two assists as Sudbury smoked Peterborough, 9-4. Foligno, who has eight points in four games since returning from the World Junior Championship, now has a career-high 41 points in 32 games. Last season, he posted 39 in 67 games.

Also from the OHL, Zack Kassian (+1) earned an assist as Windsor cruised to a 10-2 drubbing of Belleville. The helper ups the forward's season point total to 53 (18+35) while continuing a nine-game point streak that began before the World Juniors.

Steven Shipley was -1 as Niagara defeated Barrie, 7-3. The 6'3 center/wing has now gone four games without a point for the fifth time this season. Shipley's longest stretch without a point last season was three games, and that happened just once.

Elsewhere, Matt MacKenzie contributed a pair of assists as Tri-City handled Vancouver, 5-2. The 6-2 defenseman has a goal and two assists in three games for the Ams since arriving in a deadline trade with Calgary.

Mark Pysyk (+3) had an assist as Edmonton dominated Brandon en route to a 9-0 shutout win. The smooth defenseman has now rated "even" or better in 22 straight games.

Brayden McNabb was -4 as Kootenay got blown out by Spokane, 11-2. The outdoor game hosted by Spokane was the first of its kind in the WHL. Despite the quiet statistical night, the 6'4 defenseman remains 5th in WHL scoring for defensemen with 35 points (9+26) in 33 games played.

Kevin Sundher (-1) did not point as Chilliwack defeated Prince George, 3-1. The Bruins stay above .500 with the win, while Sundher sees his six-game point streak come to an end.

Riley Boychuk skated +2 as Portland downed Kamloops, 5-2. Corey Fienhage finished -2 with a late kneeing minor for the Blazers.

In the QMJHL, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc was even as Rimouski lost to Baie-Comeau, 5-2. Gauthier-Leduc remains 9th in QMJHL scoring for defensemen with 30 points (8+22) in 40 games played.

In the NCAA, Justin Jokinen finished a team-low -3 as Minnesota State lost in OT to Denver, 4-3. The Mavs hit the road next weekend for a WCHA set with Wisconsin.

Drew MacKenzie was -1 with a shot on goal as Vermont was shut down by Northeastern, 2-0. After the split with the Huskies, the Catamounts move on to face Massachusetts next weekend.

Connor Knapp served as backup as Miami broke away from their goaltending rotation in a 3-1 win over Bowling Green. The 6'5 junior has been shaky of late, and RedHawks coach was in no mood to take a chance with his club needing to keep pace in the CCHA. Nick Eno took his usual spot on the bench for the Falcons in defeat.

Brad Eidsness again served as backup as North Dakota even the weekend with a 4-1 win over Minnesota. For those scoring at home, that's one start for Eidsness in the last 17 games.

1/14 Recap: McNabb makes noise; Sundher streaks to six

Brayden McNabb (+3) posted three assists Friday as Kootenay handled Spokane, 6-2. McNabb, whose output thrust him into the top-five in scoring among WHL defensemen with 35 points, also dropped the gloves for the third time this season when he took on Chiefs LW Collin Valcourt ('11) in the third period.





Also from the WHL, Kevin Sundher extended his point streak to six games with an assist as Chilliwack lost to Prince George, 7-3. The even-strength apple gives Sundher 41 points through the first 39 games of the season. He had goals in four straight games coming into the Friday night contest.

Matt MacKenzie scored his third goal of the year and first in a Tri-City uniform as the Americans dominated Kamloops, 7-3. Corey Fienhage was -2 for the Blazers.

Riley Boychuk finished -1 with an unsportsmanlike conduct minor as Portland was defeated by Kelowna, 5-3.

In the OHL, Zack Kassian scored his 18th goal of the year and registered his fourth fight of the season as Windsor doubled Ottawa, 6-3. The 6'3 bruiser engaged rugged 67's forward Dalton Smith to get an early start on the second intermission.



Marcus Foligno had a power play assist as Sudbury lost to Brampton, 3-2. The Wolves outshot the Troops by a 34-25 margin, including a 16-3 advantage in the final twenty minutes.

Steven Shipley did not factor as Niagara lost in a shootout to London, 2-1.

Gregg Sutch missed his fourth straight game with what we're hearing is a head injury as Mississauga edged Belleville, 3-2. I'm still looking to confirm details on the injury kincluding a timetable for return, so stay tuned.

In the QMJHL, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc had an assist and five shots on goal as Rimouski defeated Shawinigan, 4-1.

In the NCAA, Justin Jokinen scored his eighth goal of the year by taking the puck to the net as Minnesota State battled to a 4-4 overtime tie with Denver. The junior's goal with 1:47 left in regulation appeared to be the game winner before the Pioneers struck right back 33-seconds later to force the OT.

Mark Adams skated +2 as Providence lost in overtime to #14 Maine, 4-3. Midway through the opening period, the freshman defender took the brunt of boarding major that created a seven-minute man advantage for the Friars.

Drew MacKenzie posted an assist as Vermont toppled Northeastern, 3-1. The helper was MacKenzie's seventh point of the season and second in as many games to go along with a -6 rating through 18 season starts.

Nick Eno made 23 saves as Bowling green stumbled against # Miami, 5-1. The loss moves the junior's season mark to 4-7-1, with his last win coming on November 26th over Hunstville. Connor Knapp served in his usual Friday backup role for the RedHawks.

Brad Eidsness again watched from the bench as # North Dakota lost to Minnesota, 3-2.

In the USHL, Christian Isackson poured four shots on goal as Sioux Falls defeated Dubuque, 4-1.