Gregg Sutch was a healthy scratch Tuesday as Mississauga opened the OHL Championship series with a 5-2 win over Owen Sound. The grinding 6’2 forward hasn’t played for the Majors since April 12th, a span of seven playoff games, after skating limited minutes in the Majors’ first seven postseason tilts. The Majors will travel to Owen Sound for Thursday’s game #2.
On Monday, Riley Boychuk played his usual hard-driving game as Portland defeated Spokane 6-3 to win the WHL Western Conference Championship. The Winterhawks will move on to the Chynoweth Cup Championship series to face Brayden McNabb and the Kootenay ICE, ensuring that the Sabres will have at least two prospects skating at this year’s Memorial Cup tournament. The 6’5 Boychuk has four goals and six assists in Portland’s 16 playoff games, but hasn't lit the lamp in nine games. His longest goalless patch of the regular season lasted just seven games, so it’s safe to say he’s due. The final series kicks off Friday and Saturday in Portland.
Also on Monday, it was announced that Sudbury Wolves captain Marcus Foligno has been named to the 2010-11 OHL 2nd All-Star Team. The powerful 6’3 wing posted career highs this past season in goals (23), assists (36) and points (59) while leading all Sabres prospects in power-play goals (11), short-handed goals (5), and hat tricks (2).
Foligno, who chose to recover from lingering dings and wait for his entry level deal to get done instead of furthering his season, scored two goals and an assist for the Wolves while logging a -10 rating in two playoff rounds.
(As a reminder and a recommendation as the draft nears, you can follow the prospects even closer by following SabresProspects on Twitter.)
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
4/30 Recap: Boychuk gets letter; Kass debuts
Riley Boychuk wore an "A" Saturday but was unable to register a point as Portland earned a key 3-2 victory over Spokane to take a 3-2 series lead in the WHL Western Conference Final. The 6'5 wing has four goals and 10 points in the playoffs, but just one assist in the series with Chiefs. Talented 2011 eligible Sven Bartschi triggered the attack with a goal and two assists for the the Winterhawks, who will have an opportunity to close the series out Monday at Spokane for the right to battle Brayden McNabb's Kootenay Ice for the Ed Chynoweth Cup and a ticket to Mississauga for the 2011 Memorial Cup.
In the USHL Western Conference Final, Christian Isackson finished -2 as Sioux Falls lost to Dubuque, 2-1. The six-footer hasn't scored in half a dozen games after scoring three times in the Herd's first two playoff outings. Trailing the best-of-five by a 2-0 margin, the Stampede will need a win at home on Friday to keep their season going. John Gaudreau, a 5'6 Northeastern commit who finished 4th in USHL scoring with 76 points (36+36) scored both goals for the Fighting Saints.
Wrapping up the weekend's play, Zack Kassian made his AHL debut, posting two shots on goal as Portland won game three of the AHL Atlantic Division Final over Binghamton, 3-2. The Windsor product was limited in his effectiveness as he eased his way into the intense playoff series, but something tells me he's going to get into a groove and make an impact when the Pirates look to even the series on Monday.
In the USHL Western Conference Final, Christian Isackson finished -2 as Sioux Falls lost to Dubuque, 2-1. The six-footer hasn't scored in half a dozen games after scoring three times in the Herd's first two playoff outings. Trailing the best-of-five by a 2-0 margin, the Stampede will need a win at home on Friday to keep their season going. John Gaudreau, a 5'6 Northeastern commit who finished 4th in USHL scoring with 76 points (36+36) scored both goals for the Fighting Saints.
Wrapping up the weekend's play, Zack Kassian made his AHL debut, posting two shots on goal as Portland won game three of the AHL Atlantic Division Final over Binghamton, 3-2. The Windsor product was limited in his effectiveness as he eased his way into the intense playoff series, but something tells me he's going to get into a groove and make an impact when the Pirates look to even the series on Monday.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
4/29 Recap: Boychuk scraps as Chiefs pull even
Riley Boychuk finished -3 with a fighting major Friday as Portland got hammered by Spokane, 8-3. Thrashers prospect Levko Koper notched a hat trick and an assist for the Chiefs, who evened the WHL Western Conference Final at two games apiece with the series heading back to Portland for Saturday's game five.
After coming to the defense of 16-year old Brendan Leipsic on several occasions during the regular season, a Corbin Baldwin elbow on his 5'8 linemate twelve minutes into the game resulted in Boychuk again stepping in to earn an instigator, major, and misconduct.
This was Boychuk's second scrap of the season with the big Chiefs defenseman, as the 6'5 banger racked up an instigator and misconduct in their battle back in January (again stemming from the 6'5 Baldwin's hit on Leipsic).
In the USHL, Christian Isackson logged a -1 with a shot on a goal as Sioux Falls opened the Western Conference Final with a 5-2 loss to Dubuque. Thrashers prospect Vinny Saponari, previously dismissed from the Boston University program, notched a pair of goals including the game winner for the Fighting Saints. Game two is Saturday in Dubuque.
After coming to the defense of 16-year old Brendan Leipsic on several occasions during the regular season, a Corbin Baldwin elbow on his 5'8 linemate twelve minutes into the game resulted in Boychuk again stepping in to earn an instigator, major, and misconduct.
This was Boychuk's second scrap of the season with the big Chiefs defenseman, as the 6'5 banger racked up an instigator and misconduct in their battle back in January (again stemming from the 6'5 Baldwin's hit on Leipsic).
In the USHL, Christian Isackson logged a -1 with a shot on a goal as Sioux Falls opened the Western Conference Final with a 5-2 loss to Dubuque. Thrashers prospect Vinny Saponari, previously dismissed from the Boston University program, notched a pair of goals including the game winner for the Fighting Saints. Game two is Saturday in Dubuque.
Kassian joins Pirates
Short and sweet: Zack Kassian has been deployed to Portland of the AHL and could make his pro debut Saturday as the Pirates travel to Binghamton for game #3 of their division final series.
From the Sabres website:
The 6'3 winger finishes his OHL career with and 72 goals, 194 points, and 358 PIM, including 28 fights, in 214 games with Peterborough and Windsor.
From the Sabres website:
Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier announced today the Sabres have reassigned forward Zack Kassian to Portland of the American Hockey League. Kassian was Buffalo’s first-round selection (13th overall) in the 2009 Entry Draft, and signed a three-year entry level contract with the Sabres in November.
The 20-year-old Kassian just completed his fourth year of junior hockey, collecting 16 points (6+10) in 16 playoff games with the Ontario Hockey League’s Windsor Spitfires. This follows a regular season that saw Kassian finish with 77 points (26+51) in 56 games with Windsor. Kassian also won a silver medal with Canada at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo.
The 6'3 winger finishes his OHL career with and 72 goals, 194 points, and 358 PIM, including 28 fights, in 214 games with Peterborough and Windsor.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
4/27 Recap: McNabb keeps stacking; Kassian available
Brayden McNabb (+4) notched two assists Wednesday to extend his playoff point streak to a ridiculous nine games as Kootenay trounced Medicine Hat 7-2 to sweep the WHL Eastern Conference Final four games to love. Max Reinhart (CAL) potted five goals to pace the ICE while McNabb, whose 20 points leads all Canadian junior defensemen in the playoffs, saw his night cut short when he earned a major and game misconduct after scrapping with Tigers forward Emerson Etem with 7:35 to play and the game well in hand.
With the ICE rolling on an eleven-game winning streak, the 6'4 defenseman finds himself one series away from joining former Athol Murray College of Notre Dame teammate Tyler Myers as a Sabres blueline prospect to play in the Memorial Cup. Before that chapter can be written though, Kootenay must first face the winner of the Western Conference Final between Portland and Spokane. (And for those wondering, ICE captain McNabb did not touch the Husky Eastern Conference Championship bowl when it was presented.)
Riley Boychuk made a key play that led to the game winning goal as Portland got past Spokane, 3-2 in overtime. The aggressive forward, who was sent to the box twice in the game for cross-checking (1st period) and slashing (2nd period), chipped the puck from his own zone behind the Chiefs defensemen to create the game winning odd-man rush. The Winterhawks will hold a 2-1 lead when the series resumes Friday in Spokane.
In the OHL, Zack Kassian saw his OHL season come to a close as Windsor got embarrassed by Owen Sound, 10-4. Kassian, who of course was suspended for the game for his game three match penalty, is now eligible for AHL duty if the Sabres want to get the development going with the signed first-rounder. The Attack win the Western Conference Final in five games, not only moving into the OHL Championship against Mississauga, but also earning a berth in the Memorial Cup due to the Majors being this year's host.
With the ICE rolling on an eleven-game winning streak, the 6'4 defenseman finds himself one series away from joining former Athol Murray College of Notre Dame teammate Tyler Myers as a Sabres blueline prospect to play in the Memorial Cup. Before that chapter can be written though, Kootenay must first face the winner of the Western Conference Final between Portland and Spokane. (And for those wondering, ICE captain McNabb did not touch the Husky Eastern Conference Championship bowl when it was presented.)
Riley Boychuk made a key play that led to the game winning goal as Portland got past Spokane, 3-2 in overtime. The aggressive forward, who was sent to the box twice in the game for cross-checking (1st period) and slashing (2nd period), chipped the puck from his own zone behind the Chiefs defensemen to create the game winning odd-man rush. The Winterhawks will hold a 2-1 lead when the series resumes Friday in Spokane.
In the OHL, Zack Kassian saw his OHL season come to a close as Windsor got embarrassed by Owen Sound, 10-4. Kassian, who of course was suspended for the game for his game three match penalty, is now eligible for AHL duty if the Sabres want to get the development going with the signed first-rounder. The Attack win the Western Conference Final in five games, not only moving into the OHL Championship against Mississauga, but also earning a berth in the Memorial Cup due to the Majors being this year's host.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
4/26 Recap: McNabb extends; "Ship" sinks
Brayden McNabb extended his point streak to eight games Tuesday, notching an assist as Kootenay took a commanding 3-0 lead in the WHL Eastern Conference Final with a 3-1 win over Medicine Hat. McNabb, whose helper came on Cody Eakin’s third game-winning goal of the series, continues to lead all WHL defensemen with 18 points (3+15) in 13 games. The total also ties Windsor’s Ryan Ellis for most among all CHL defensemen in this year’s playoffs (Ellis has played four more games than McNabb). Winners of ten consecutive games, the ICE will look to use the brooms for a second straight series Wednesday in Cranbrook, while at the same time hoping to book a date with the winner of Portland/Spokane for the right to rep the Dub in the 2011 Memorial Cup.
In the OHL, Steven Shipley finished -2 as Niagara’s season came to end with a 4-1 loss to Mississauga. Shipley, a 6’3 center who struggled for most of the year after being traded from Owen Sound, was unable to emerge in the playoffs scoring one goal and six assists in the IceDogs 14 postseason contests. His uninspired play was noted by a friend in attendance who writes, “Ships looks like he has been demoted/benched. Very ineffective this game. Practically invisible in all aspects of the game”. Gregg Sutch was again scratched by the Majors. Mississauga winning the Eastern Conference title means that the winner of the Windsor/Owen Sound series will not only advance to the OHL Championship, but will also advance to Memorial Cup (with Mississauga being the host city).
In the OHL, Steven Shipley finished -2 as Niagara’s season came to end with a 4-1 loss to Mississauga. Shipley, a 6’3 center who struggled for most of the year after being traded from Owen Sound, was unable to emerge in the playoffs scoring one goal and six assists in the IceDogs 14 postseason contests. His uninspired play was noted by a friend in attendance who writes, “Ships looks like he has been demoted/benched. Very ineffective this game. Practically invisible in all aspects of the game”. Gregg Sutch was again scratched by the Majors. Mississauga winning the Eastern Conference title means that the winner of the Windsor/Owen Sound series will not only advance to the OHL Championship, but will also advance to Memorial Cup (with Mississauga being the host city).
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Kassian done for series, done with "O"?
After having him sit out game #4 of their Western Conference Final, the OHL officially handed Zack Kassian a four-game suspension Tuesday for his cross-checking match penalty on Attack dman Jesse Blacker in the final minute of Saturday's loss. Monday's game will count towards the four-game penalty. (Included link solely for the picture of Kassian, with his bus pillow, ready for the four-plus hour trek north to OS.)
The Spitfires trail the Attack 3-1, so the tough Sabres prospect will miss the rest of the series if Windsor forces a Game 7. If Windsor loses, then Kassian will have already played the final game of his junior career.
Some excellent perspective on the incident comes courtesy of Yahoo's Sunaya Sapurji, who details among other things how Kassian and Blacker have different accounts of what happened. The incident happened at center ice, behind the play and outside of the scope of any camera in the rink.
Kassian then re-states that he's learned from what is turning out to be quite the checkered past. In the past two years, he's been suspended by his team, by the OHL in the regular season, by the IIHF in the World Junior Championships, and again by the OHL in the playoffs.
It remains to be seen whether or not Kassian, who has all the tools to be a legit weapon for the Sabres once he reels it in, will head to Portland in support of the Pirates AHL playoff once Windsor's season concludes. However, I think the Sabres losing to the Flyers in the first round makes it easier to suggest that Kassian will be done when the Spits finish up.
The Spitfires trail the Attack 3-1, so the tough Sabres prospect will miss the rest of the series if Windsor forces a Game 7. If Windsor loses, then Kassian will have already played the final game of his junior career.
Some excellent perspective on the incident comes courtesy of Yahoo's Sunaya Sapurji, who details among other things how Kassian and Blacker have different accounts of what happened. The incident happened at center ice, behind the play and outside of the scope of any camera in the rink.
Not surprisingly, both players have differing versions of the events.
“I gave him a little slash in the back of the legs and he embellished it,” said Kassian. “He embellished it obviously because he’s playing right now, he’s skating around fine. It got blown out of proportion with my history and all that stuff, but there’s nothing I can do about that now.”
Blacker said what Kassian failed to mention is that after he was knocked down on the ice, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound winger started to whack at him from behind.
“I felt cross-checks raining down on my head and ribs and it didn’t exactly feel good,” said the second-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs. “The fans saw it. I can’t say I embellished it, I’m not the kind of player to dive.”
Kassian then re-states that he's learned from what is turning out to be quite the checkered past. In the past two years, he's been suspended by his team, by the OHL in the regular season, by the IIHF in the World Junior Championships, and again by the OHL in the playoffs.
“Buffalo drafted me to be that hard-nosed player that finishes checks and plays with that edge,” said the LaSalle, Ont., native. “I’m not going to lie, a couple of times in my junior career I went over that edge and I’ll be the first one to admit that. I think I’ve learned a lot over the years in the OHL.”
And despite the fact that he’s been forced to watching his team play, while he’s sitting out on a number of occasions – he’s still not used to being reduced to the role of observer.
“It definitely doesn’t (get easier),” said the Sabres prospect. “When you’re in the playoffs in the Western Conference final, it’s pretty huge because no one expected us to get this far. It just shows how tight this team is, Everyone believes in each other and to not be out there right now helping them fight for our (playoff) lives right now is not fun.”
It remains to be seen whether or not Kassian, who has all the tools to be a legit weapon for the Sabres once he reels it in, will head to Portland in support of the Pirates AHL playoff once Windsor's season concludes. However, I think the Sabres losing to the Flyers in the first round makes it easier to suggest that Kassian will be done when the Spits finish up.
4/25 Recap: Shipley, Kassian on brink of exit
Steven Shipley was unable to register a point for the fourth straight game as Niagara was blown-out by Mississauga, 6-1. The IceDogs now trail the OHL Eastern Conference Final 3-1, with the Majors going for the Tuesday night clinch on home ice. Mississauga’s Gregg Sutch was a healthy scratch for the fourth straight game, while Joe Cramarossa (’11) notched a pair of goals including a shortie for the Memorial Cup hosts.
As previously mentioned, Zack Kassian was forced to sit out as Windsor lost game #4 of the OHL Western Conference Final to Owen Sound, 3-2. The 6’3 bullying wing will learn if he is to miss any additional games when he receives the official disciplinary ruling on Tuesday. The object of Kassian’s Saturday night aggression, defenseman Jesse Blacker, was in action for the Attack in Monday’s victory earning an assist on the game winning goal. Trailing 3-1, the Spits will look to stave off elimination Wednesday in Owen Sound. If they lose, it may not mattter how many games (if any) he is forced to sit, but it may muddy the waters some regarding how the Sabres view their top 2009 pick.
On Sunday, Riley Boychuk skated even as Portland evened the WHL Western Conference Final at a game apiece with a 2-1 win over Spokane. The edgy 6’5 forward has four goals, five assists, and 26 PIM in a dozen playoff games. The series heads to Spokane for a pair of games Wednesday and Friday.
As previously mentioned, Zack Kassian was forced to sit out as Windsor lost game #4 of the OHL Western Conference Final to Owen Sound, 3-2. The 6’3 bullying wing will learn if he is to miss any additional games when he receives the official disciplinary ruling on Tuesday. The object of Kassian’s Saturday night aggression, defenseman Jesse Blacker, was in action for the Attack in Monday’s victory earning an assist on the game winning goal. Trailing 3-1, the Spits will look to stave off elimination Wednesday in Owen Sound. If they lose, it may not mattter how many games (if any) he is forced to sit, but it may muddy the waters some regarding how the Sabres view their top 2009 pick.
On Sunday, Riley Boychuk skated even as Portland evened the WHL Western Conference Final at a game apiece with a 2-1 win over Spokane. The edgy 6’5 forward has four goals, five assists, and 26 PIM in a dozen playoff games. The series heads to Spokane for a pair of games Wednesday and Friday.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Kassian suspended, full ruling expected Tuesday
Zack Kassian has been suspended for game #4 of the OHL Western Conference after earning a match penalty in the final minute of Saturday's loss to Owen Sound.
From the Windsor Star:
From the Windsor Star:
WINDSOR, Ont. -- The Ontario Hockey League has informed the Windsor Spitfires that forward Zack Kassian will be suspended for tonight's Game 4 of the Western Conference final against the Owen Sound Attack. A league spokesman said the suspension could be longer and a decision on that will be announced Tuesday.
Kassian was given a match penalty for intent to injure Owen Sound defenceman and former Spitfire Jesse Blacker in the final seconds of Saturday's 6-4 comeback win by the Attack in Owen Sound.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
4/23 Recap: Kass finds trouble; McNabb a machine
Zack Kassian had a game he'd like to forget Saturday, posting an assist but also getting called for a late high sticking penalty to led to the game winning goal as Windsor lost game #3 of the OHL Western Conference Final to Owen Sound, 6-4. But folks, Kassian wasn't done. With :22 left on the clock and the Attack about to pot their capper into the empty net, Kassian received a match penalty with intent to injure by delivering a high cross-check to defenseman Jesse Blacker right at center ice.
The short-fused Kassian, who earlier gloated after earning his second period helper, had been jawing with Blacker throughout the contest and finished the conflict in a rather deplorable way. Expect the 6'3 bruiser to take a seat for Monday's game #4, with his track record of suspensions likely giving OHL commish David Branch some ammo to tack on some extra discipline. I don't like where this is going...More later.
Also from the OHL, Steven Shipley skated even as Niagara dropped game #3 of the OHL's Eastern Conference Final to Mississauga, 3-2 in overtime. Justin Shugg played hero by notching the goal at 3:13 of the extra session. Majors forward Gregg Sutch was a healthy scratch for the third straight game, while Shipley has yet to record a point in the series. The Dogs trails the series 2-1 with the teams traveling back to St. Catharines for Monday's game #4.
In the WHL Eastern Conference Final, Brayden McNabb extended his point streak to seven games with an assist as Kootenay shut out Medicine Hat, 3-0. The 6'4 defenseman, who set across-the-board franchise offensive marks for a blueliner this past season, has now tied ICE postseason marks for career playoff assists (24) and career playoff points (27) for a defenseman. Winners of six straight road games and nine straight overall, Kootenay will take a 2-0 series lead into Tuesday's game #3.
In the USHL, Christian Isackson (+1) posted four shots on goal as Sioux Falls defeated Omaha, 5-1, to sweep their best-of-five semifinal. The Stampede, who went hard for the sweep for four second period goals, will move on to face the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the Western Conference Final beginning Friday.
The short-fused Kassian, who earlier gloated after earning his second period helper, had been jawing with Blacker throughout the contest and finished the conflict in a rather deplorable way. Expect the 6'3 bruiser to take a seat for Monday's game #4, with his track record of suspensions likely giving OHL commish David Branch some ammo to tack on some extra discipline. I don't like where this is going...More later.
Also from the OHL, Steven Shipley skated even as Niagara dropped game #3 of the OHL's Eastern Conference Final to Mississauga, 3-2 in overtime. Justin Shugg played hero by notching the goal at 3:13 of the extra session. Majors forward Gregg Sutch was a healthy scratch for the third straight game, while Shipley has yet to record a point in the series. The Dogs trails the series 2-1 with the teams traveling back to St. Catharines for Monday's game #4.
In the WHL Eastern Conference Final, Brayden McNabb extended his point streak to seven games with an assist as Kootenay shut out Medicine Hat, 3-0. The 6'4 defenseman, who set across-the-board franchise offensive marks for a blueliner this past season, has now tied ICE postseason marks for career playoff assists (24) and career playoff points (27) for a defenseman. Winners of six straight road games and nine straight overall, Kootenay will take a 2-0 series lead into Tuesday's game #3.
In the USHL, Christian Isackson (+1) posted four shots on goal as Sioux Falls defeated Omaha, 5-1, to sweep their best-of-five semifinal. The Stampede, who went hard for the sweep for four second period goals, will move on to face the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the Western Conference Final beginning Friday.
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