Sunday, October 2, 2011

10/2 Recap: Leduc dominant as Nics roll

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc rang up two goals and two assists to earn the #1 star Sunday as Rimouski trounced Drummondville, 6-1. The 6'2 defenseman has been on a tear since returning from Buffalo, ripping off four goals and seven assists in four games, and currently sits as the Q's #2 blueline scorer despite playing half of his team's game's to date. Leduc will look to keep it rolling when Rimouski visits PEI on Friday.

Nathan Lieuwen made 23 saves as Kootenay lost to Calgary, 4-2. After a five-save opening frame, the 6'5 stopper had his shutout streak of 103:20 snapped at 14:06 of the second period. The Hitmen took control from there, closing it out with three third period goals in front of 7,866 fans at the Saddledome. Lieuwen, who skates away with a 1.47 GAA and .945 save percentage after four starts, will look to rebound on Wednesday when the ICE takes on Mark Pysyk and the Edmonton Oil Kings.

Kevin Sundher completed a three-games-in-three-nights run by logging a -1 as Victoria got dismantled by Kamloops, 8-2. The Royals are off until Thursday when they host Medicine Hat.

In NCAA exhibition play, Connor Knapp was called on to make five stops in half a game's work as Miami  won their exhibition opener against Windsor, 4-1. The Redhawks will host Bemidji for a weekend set beginning on Friday.

Christian Isackson had two shots on goal as Minnesota pitched a 3-0 exhibition shutout over British Columbia. The Gophers kick off their schedule on Friday versus Sacred Heart.

10/1 Recap: Sundher seals deal

Kevin Sundher continued his hot start Saturday, scoring the first Sabres prospects game winning goal of the year and adding two assists as Victoria held on for a 6-5 win over Prince George. The Royals jumped out to an early 5-0 lead, but Sundher's momentum breaker from the slot late in the second period (to make it a 6-2 game) proved to be the extra nudge to get the Royals to their third straight win. After getting blanked in the season opener, Sundher has his motor running with eight points in his last three games. He'll look to make it four games in a row when the Royals visit Kamloops on Sunday.

In SM-liiga play, Joel Armia set up the game winning goal in the final minute of regulation as Assat edged HIFK, 3-2. The 6'3 wing (#10 in red) used his size along the wall to create a turnover before sliding the puck to Tomas Zaborsky, who scored from beneath the goal line to keep Assat near the top of the SM-liiga standings.




Armia has a goal and three assists in his first eight games, but the numbers should increase as he's being given quality minutes while firing 33 shots on goal to-date. Assat next plays Tuesday at Tappara.

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc bagged a pair of assists as Rimouski pounded Moncton, 7-2. Leduc has produced multiple-point efforts in each of his first three games this season (2+5). To demonstrate growth and experience, note that his third multi-point game a season ago didn't come until mid-December. (He did finish the year with six multi-pointers in his final ten). Rimouski hosts Drummondville on Sunday.

In the OHL, Gregg Sutch scored his first goal of the season as Barrie won in overtime over Peterborough, 6-5. The 6'2 grinder buried a pass from behind the net midway through the second period to give the Colts a 3-1 lead. Top pair anchor Alex Lepkowski earned the secondary assist on the Sutch tally. The Colts lead 5-2 with 6:42 to play before the Petes stormed back with an amazing three goals in the final 1:21 of play. Barrie will battle Mississauga on Thursday.

Steven Shipley notched two assists as Niagara downed Belleville, 5-3. The fourth-year man has points in three straight games in an elevated role while the Dogs wait to see if 2011 first-rounder Ryan Strome is returned from the New York Islanders. Shipley will look to extend his point streak to four games on Thursday when the IceDogs welcome London.

Daniel Catenacci picked up two assists as Owen Sound saw the raising of their OHL Championship banner spoiled in a 5-3 loss to Guelph. The nifty center fed Jarrod Maidens ('12) in the slot at 17:20 of the first period and was later credited with a helper on another Maiden tally. Catenacci, who has three goals and five assists on the young season, will take a three-game point streak into Friday's game at Erie.

Elsewhere, Cedrick Henley logged a career-low -4 as Val-d'Or lost to Gatineau, 6-4. In his injury-shortened 22-game campaign a season ago, Henley was a "minus player" just four times with a -1 rating in each of those games. The Foreurs return to action Wednesday against Rouyn-Noranda.

Mark Pysyk finished +1 as Edmonton lost in a shootout to Medicine Hat, 4-3.The Oil Kings are off until Wednesday when they play host to Kootenay.

In an NCAA exhibition contest, Brad Eidsness saw just three shots on goal in a little over a period of work as North Dakota thumped Regina, 8-1.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

9/30 Recap: Cat finds net; Sundher keys Royals win

Dan Catenacci scored a power play goal Friday as Owen Sound lost to Mississauga 5-3 in a rematch of the 2011 OHL Championship series. The productive center now has three goals and three assists in his first five games in an Attack sweater. Owen Sound hosts Guelph on Saturday.

In WHL play, Kevin Sundher dished two assists and scored a key shootout goal as Victoria edged Prince George, 5-4. The assists were fantastic hockey plays, with the first coming off a quick move before finding Robin Soudek and the second off a laser pass from behind the net. The six-foot Sundher now has a goal and four assists through his first three games for the Royals, who were outshot 52-25 en route to earning the victory. Victoria will take a two-game winning streak into Saturday's rematch with the Cougars.

Mark Pysyk (-1) notched a pair of power play assists as Edmonton dropped a 5-3 decision to Medicine Hat. The points, which came 1:30 apart in the middle of the third period, were the first of the year for the Oil Kings captain as he follows up on the six goals and 34 assists collected a season ago. The OKs and Tigers will complete the home-and-home Saturday in Medicine Hat.

Elsewhere, Steven Shipley earned a point for the second straight game, an assist, as Niagara defeated Barrie, 4-2. Going back to the end of last year, the Ilderton, Ontario native has gathered 10 points (3+7) in his last ten regular season games. Gregg Sutch (-1, 4 PIM) and defenseman Alex Lepkowski did not factor into the Colts goals.

Cedrick Henley recorded an assist as Val-d'Or downed Gatineau, 5-2. The 6'5 forward, who earlier in the week was named the Foreurs captain, has five assists through his first four games. The two clubs will rematch Saturday in Gatineau.

Nathan Lieuwen earned a night off after three straight starts as Kootenay defeated Regina, 5-2. The 6'5 netminder will take his 0.97 goals against average and .964 save percentage into Sunday's meeting with Calgary.

In AHL exhibition action, the Rochester Americans throttled CIS opponent Western Ontario, 9-1. Shawn Szydlowski and Jonathan Parker each potted two goals, while Marcus Foligno, Mark Voakes, Phil Varone, Brayden McNabb, and Derek Whitmore added singles for the Amerks.

Friday, September 30, 2011

9/29 Recap: Armia off the schneid

Joel Armia scored his first goal of the year Thursday as Assat defeated JYP, 5-2. The 6'3 wing, who was also whistled for three minor penalties, broke his season seal at 10:01 of the first period via snapshot. The penalties cut-in to his first line minutes, causing Armia to finish with an even 13:00 of work. Assat returns to action Saturday against HIFK.

In the OHL, Steve Shipley scored his first goal of the year as Niagara fell to Mississauga, 6-4. The 6'3 Shipley tied a career-low with a -4 rating in the loss, including a first period that saw him on the ice for three goals against.

Dan Catenacci notched a power play assist as Owen Sound won in a shootout over Barrie, 2-1. The 5'10 center has five points (2+3) in his first three games in an Attack sweater. Gregg Sutch scored a shootout goal for the Colts, while Alex Lepkowski was even with a minor penalty. Barrie travels to Niagara on Friday. The Attack faceoff with Mississauga.

On Wednesday, Mark Pysyk picked up a roughing minor as Edmonton downed Prince Albert, 4-1. The Oil Kings will host Medicine Hat on Friday.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

9/27 Recap: Lieuwen locks out Lethbridge

Nathan Lieuwen made 25 saves to post his first shutout of the year Tuesday as Kootenay blanked Lethbridge, 2-0. Through his first three games, the 6'5 netminder has a 0.97 goals against average and a sparkling .964 save percentage. The shutout was the seventh of his WHL career, and if you take into consideration last season's playoffs, the fourth in his last 20 starts.

In Finland, Joel Armia contributed three shots on goal in 14:52 of work as Assat edged KalPa, 4-3. The 6'3 wing has played in six SM-liiga contests thus far, notching two assists with a -2 rating. An 18-goal scorer a season ago, Armia will look to pot his first of the year on Thursday when the Aces travel to JYP.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

SabresProspects Three Stars of the Week (9/25/11)

9/25 Recap: Leduc continues pace in Nics loss

It was a pretty light Sunday in the CHL with just two games of Sabres prospects relevance on the docket.

In Rimouski, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc continued his hot start by notching two assists as the Oceanic came up short in a 5-4 loss to Shawinigan. The mobile rearguard, who now has five points (2+3) in his first two games back from Buffalo, will look to continue his early roll Saturday versus Moncton.

In the WHL, Mark Pysyk kicked off his 2011-12 campaign by logging a -1 as Edmonton fell to Red Deer in overtime, 4-3. The two-way stalwart also mixed slashing and boarding minors into his Sunday line en route to the Oil Kings pushing off to a 0-1 start. With Edmonton considered among the WHL's top clubs this season, big things are expected of the 19-year old captain after his six-goal, 40-point effort a season ago. The Oil Kings return to action Wednesday at Prince Albert.

9/24 Recap: Sundher steers Royals

Kevin Sundher pocketed an empty-net goal and a pair of power play assists Saturday as Victoria avenged their season opening loss the night before with a 4-1 victory over Vancouver. Sundher, who was named the game's #2 star, was looking to avoid a repeat of last season's slow start that saw him go four games before notching a point and another three before his first goal. The one-goal, two-assist effort was the ninth time in Sundher's WHL career that he has scored three or more points. Six of those occurred last season, but his first didn't come until November. The Royals are off until Friday when they battle Prince George.

Nathan Lieuwen earned his first win of the season, making 29 saves as Kootenay downed Calgary, 5-1. With CHL clubs looking to rack up as many early season victories as possible, it's fair to expect the 6'5 netminder to again get the nod when the ICE meet up with Lethbridge on Tuesday.

In Finland, Joel Armia (2 PIM, 16:34 TOI) saw his two-game point streak snapped in Assat's 6-2 drubbing of HPK. After his first five games, Armia has two assists and a -1 rating while averaging 15:22 of work. He'll continue the quest for his first goal of the season Tuesday at KalPA. Old pal Marek Zagrapan finished -2 in defeat.

In the OHL, Dan Catenacci finished -2 with a slashing minor as Owen Sound was slowed by Saginaw, 5-2. The Attack, who suffered their first loss of the season after a 2-0 start, resume the schedule Thursday at Barrie.

Cedrick Henley recorded two shots on goal as worn-out Val-'Or was shut out by PEI, 3-0. After three road games in three nights, the Foreurs are now off until Friday when they host Gatineau.

Colin Jacobs remained out of action with an injury as Seattle opened the year with a 6-3 loss to Portland. The Winterhawks were playing without Riley Boychuk, who is set to take part in the Rochester Americans training camp beginning Monday.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

9/23 Recap: JGL pots pair; Cat strikes again

In our first Friday of CHL action, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc picked up where he left off a season ago, cashing two goals, adding an assist, and leading his team with five shots on goal as Rimouski came from behind to earn a 6-5 shootout win over Chicoutimi. Trailing  4-2 heading into the third, the Nics battled back to a 5-5 tie with 2:19 left in regulation to force the extra time and tiebreaker.




Leduc, who finished last season on a tear with an impressive 18 points in his final 10 games to wind up as the QMJHL's #2 scorer among defensemen, is certainly out to stake an early offensive claim as Team Canada starts weeding out their 2012 World Junior hopefuls. The multi-goal game is the fourth in his last eight regular season contests (going back to 2010-11), a span that has seen the 6'2 defender convert nine of his last 15 shots on goal (remember five of those came Friday). Rimouski will next hit the ice Sunday when they host Shawinigan.

Also from the Q, Cedrick Henley collected an assist and eight hits as Val-d'Or lost a 5-4 shootout to the defending Memorial Cup champions, Saint John. The 6'5 wing's physical effort comes one night removed from a three-assist outing in his season debut. The Foreurs return to action Saturday in PEI.

Dan Catenacci continued his warm OHL start, scoring the game's first goal on the power play and adding an assist as Owen Sound closed out Guelph, 6-4. The 5'10 center now has four points (2+2) in his first two games as a member of the Attack. Catenacci, who scored just six goals in his final 30 games of 2010-11, will look to maintain his current 136-point pace Saturday when the Attack take on Saginaw.



Alex Lepkowski (+1) assisted on an empty-net goal as Barrie got past Brampton, 3-1. Colts forward Gregg Sutch played even with a cross-checking minor in the win. The Colts are now off until Thursday when they meet up with Owen Sound.

Kevin Sundher finished -1 as the Victoria Royals lost their inaugural WHL contest to Vancouver, 5-2. Earlier in the day, the Royals announced that Sundher would serve as an alternate captain for the 2011-12 season. The Royals and Giants will head back to Victoria Saturday for the Royals home opener -- the first WHL home game in Victoria since the Cougars fled for Prince George back in 1994.

Nathan Lieuwen earned the start in Kootenay's 2011-12 opener, making 27 saves as the ICE fell in the shootout to Red Deer, 3-2. The 6'5 netminder, who played well in helping the Sabres to the Traverse City title, surrendered three goals in the six-round shootout to put the ICE in a 0-1 hole to begin the year. Kootenay will look for the first win Saturday against Calgary.

In SM-liiga action, Joel Armia earned the primary assist on the game winning goal as Assat defeated the Blues, 3-1. The big wing dumped the puck off and pushed to the net as a screen to earn his second point in as many games. Assat returns to action Saturday versus HPK.

***

Earlier Friday, the Sabres dispatched the first eleven players to their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans.

F: Riley Boychuk, Jacob Lagace, Maxime Legault, Shawn Szydlowski, Mark Voakes, Travis Turnbull
D: Matt MacKenzie, Corey Fienhage, Nick Crawford, Alex Biega
G: Jeff Jakaitis

Unsigned draft picks Matt MacKenzie, 19, and Riley Boychuk, 20, are AHL eligible this season and worth the look in Amerks camp, but the Sabres could still elect to return the pair to their WHL clubs.

Friday, September 23, 2011

9/22 Recap: Henley takes mo' back to Q

Cedrick Henley was a contributor in his first game of the season Thursday, collecting three assists including a set-up of the game winning goal as Val-d'Or dominated Moncton, 7-3. The 6'5, 204-pound wing is poised for a big season in the QMJHL after missing 42 games a year ago to undergo corrective wrist surgery. The three-point outing was just the second of Henley's career, while his +3 on the night stands as a single-game best. Former Caps prospect Benjamin Casavant paced the Foreurs with a hat trick.

In the OHL, Gregg Sutch made his debut in a Colts uniform, posting an assist as Barrie defeated Kingston, 7-4. Alex Lepkowski logged a +1 for the Colts, while undrafted forwards Tanner Pearson and Zach Hill each recorded two goals and three assists.

Steven Shipley finished -1 as Niagara got stomped by Peterborough, 7-1. The IceDogs were playing without top forward Ryan Strome, who is attempting to make the New York Islanders as an 18-year old.