10/8 Recap: Usual suspects stay warm; Lieuwen shines

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc scored a goal and an assist Saturday as Rimouski was delivered an 8-2 hammering by defending Memorial Cup champion Saint John. The 6'1 defender, who in defeat continued his streak of six consecutive multi-point games, is the QMJHL's top scorer among defenseman with 15 points (6+9). Leduc and Nics will play at Moncton on Sunday.




In the WHL, Nathan Lieuwen made 33 saves, many of the spectacular variety, to lead Kootenay to a 2-1 win over Red Deer. The game's #1 star, Lieuwen maintains his stature as the WHL's top netminder with a 3-1-0-2 record, 1.30 goals against average, and .953 save percentage. The ICE return to action Wednesday when they welcome Edmonton to Cranbrook.




Kevin Sundher notched a goal and an assist as Victoria skated to a 5-4 loss in Seattle. The center drifted into open space to beat Avalanche prospect Calvin Pickard at 10:52 of the third period. Sundher leads the WHL with 12 assists and is currently the league's #2 scorer with 15 total points. He'll look for points in four straight games Monday afternoon at Vancouver.




Mark Pysyk finished -1 as Edmonton lost at Saskatoon, 5-1. The Oil Kings continue their eastern swing Sunday at Swift Current.

In the OHL, Dan Catenacci scored his fourth goal of the year and added an empty-net assist as Owen Sound doubled Erie, 6-3. The goal came off a scramble in front of the net to give the Attack a 3-2 lead. Owen Sound out-shot the Otters by a 61-23 margin. The Attack will next host Saginaw for a Monday matinee.

More than a dozen goals were scored, but neither of Barrie's Gregg Sutch or Niagara's Steven Shipley were able to register a points as the Colts downed the IceDogs, 8-6. Barrie defenseman Alex Lepkowski was a scratch for the second straight game. Niagara will correct some things this week in practice before Thursday's game with Belleville. Sutch and the Colts are off until Friday's tilt at Sudbury.

In NCAA play, Connor Knapp made 19 saves to help #1/2 Miami avenge Friday's loss with a 3-2 come-from-behind win over Bemidji State. The victory was the 32nd of Knapp's career in Oxford. The 6'6 netminder will likely play the Saturday half of next weekend's set at the country club of Colgate University.

Brad Eidsness stopped seven of eight shots in relief as #3 North Dakota was handled by #5 Boston College in the IceBreaker championship, 6-2. Eidsness, who entered the game with under three minutes remaining in the second period, gave up a goal but generally looked sharp in his first attempt to win back time from Aaron Dell. A year ago at this time, the skate was on the other foot as Dell was the one chasing then-starter Eidsness. With the Dell allowing five goals on 15 shots Saturday, don't be surprised if Eidsness gets another look next weekend when the Sioux host Maine.

Justin Jokinen was -1 with two shots on goal as Minnesota State dropped a 4-1 decision to RPI. The Mavericks (1-1-0) return to action next weekend at home against Lowell.

Christian Isackson played his first NCAA contest, finishing even in Minnesota's 6-0 blanking of Sacred Heart. The Gophers open the WCHA schedule next weekend at Duluth.

Brad Navin was scratched in Wisconsin's 3-2 win over Northern Michigan. The Badgers travel to Michigan Tech on Friday.

Amerks fall in opener

Newly signed Jonathan Parker scarfed up a rebound for his first professional goal, but the highlights were few as Rochester opened the 2011-12 campaign with a 5-2 loss at Hamilton.

T.J. Brennan and Zack Kassian, his first AHL point, earned assists, while Corey Tropp also added a helper while logging his first fighting major of the year. Tropp topped all Sabres prospects last season with nine tussles.

Drew Schiestel, playing his first game since last January, appeared to have injured his knee in the third period after falling awkwardly but early signs suggest that no damage was done.

Defensemen Matt MacKenzie and Nick Crawford were among the healthy scratches.

The Rundown:

Parker - 1PPG, 2 SOG, -1

Kassian - 1A, 5 SOG

Tropp - 1A, 2 SOG, -1, fighting major

Brennan - 1A, 2 SOG, -1

McNabb - 2 SOG (paired w/ Morrisonn)

Biega - even

Persson - 1 SOG

Szydlowski - even

Boychuk - 1 SOG

Foligno - 2 SOG, -1

Schiestel - -2

We'll turn it over to Kevin O. of the Rochester D&C for the game story:

Rochester Amerks open season with 'sloppy loss'

"The easiest lesson from tonight: We've got a lot to work on," said veteran left winger Colin Stuart, who wore the captain's "C."

"In order to be the team we want to be, we need to do a lot of things better."

Of course, with eight rookies in the lineup and just one preseason game against a collegiate team from Canada, the Amerks weren't exactly in real-game mode.

"It was pretty sloppy, that's pretty safe to say," defenseman T. J. Brennan said. "We have a lot of guys still getting their feet wet. It's a change. That's why it's Game 1 of 76, not the Calder Cup already."

Rochester kicks off the home schedule Thursday against Wilke-Barre.

10/7 Recap: Sundher, Leduc add to early season resumes

Kevin Sundher stacked a career-best four assists Friday as Victoria won an exciting back-and-forth affair with Medicine Hat, 5-4. Tied for second overall in WHL scoring, Sundher dished two helpers on the power play and another shorthanded before setting up Hayden Rintoul for the game winning goal with just :24 to play in regulation. The Surrey, BC native has recorded multiple points in four of seven games this season, in stark contrast to his first seven a season ago when he posted just three assists (0+3). Ducks prospect Emerson Etem scored all four Tigers goals in defeat. The Royals will next take the ice Saturday at Seattle.

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc extended his early season point streak to five games, scoring the game winning goal and adding an assist in Rimouski's 4-1 win over PEI. Leduc is posting dominant offensive numbers at the major-junior level, piling up 13 points through his first five games, including five goals on 30 shots, while being the #1 star three times. To truly appreciate the five-game feat, take into consideration that defenseman Ryan Ellis, who last year marked in 50 of 58 skates en route to ringing up 101 points for Windsor, only had one five-game block all year (2-13-15) that was more productive than Leduc's start. JGL will look to continue his roll Saturday against Saint John.




Elsewhere, Mark Pysyk notched an assist, his third point of the year, as Edmonton defeated Moose Jaw, 3-1. The Oil Kings travel to Saskatoon on Saturday.

Cedrick Henley added kneeing, hooking, and roughing (two) minors to his season portfolio but was again unable to score as Val-d'Or edged Chicoutimi, 1-0. The Foreurs captain, who rounded out his effort with seven hits, has no goals and five assists in seven regular season contests. Val-d'Or will play their first-ever game in Boisbriand (formerly the Montreal Junior) on Sunday.

In the OHL, Steve Shipley (+1) saw his four-game point streak come to an end as Niagara was beaten in a shootout by Sudbury, 5-4. The former fourth-rounder amassed two goals and five assists over the productive stretch. Niagara returns to action Saturday versus Mississauga.

Dan Catenacci did not factor into the scoring as Owen Sound was bested by Erie, 7-5. The speedy center was whistled for tripping and roughing penalties in the loss, and now has more minors (12) than points (8) through the first 21 periods of his 2011-12 season. The Attack and Otters will do it again Saturday in Erie.

In Finland, Joel Armia saw his three-game point streak come to an end, finishing -1 with seven shots on goal as Assat was shut out by TPS, 1-0. Armia, who received 16:37 of work in the loss, will look to get into a goal scoring groove Wednesday at HPK. He's scored just once this season despite firing 47 shots on goal.

In NCAA action, Justin Jokinen failed to get a shot on net while on a line with J.P. Burkemper and Eli Zuck as Minnesota State took a 1-0 decision at #18 Renssalaer. Cheektowaga native Scott Diebold made 19 saves in his first start for RPI, holding off the Mavericks for 58:38 before Cameron Cooper beat him during a late 4x4. Mankato will go for the sweep Saturday in Troy.

Brad Navin was unable to get on the sheet in his NCAA debut as #17 Wisconsin lost to Northern Michigan, 3-2. The senior-less Badgers will look to earn the split Saturday night in Madison.

Connor Knapp served as the back-up to Cody Reichard as #2 Miami was upset by Bemidji State, 5-3. The 6'6 Knapp is expected to resume his role as "Mr. Saturday Night" when the RedHawks try breaking even on...Saturday.

Brad Eidsness backed-up as #3 North Dakota came from behind with two goals in the third to overcome Air Force, 4-3. The Sioux will square off with Boston College on Saturday in the IceBreaker championship.

Christian Isackson was a scratch as #19 Minnesota opened the 2011-12 season with a 9-0 thrashing of Sacred Heart.

10/6 Recap: Shipley connects as Dogs fall short

Steven Shipley scored a goal and added a pair of assists Thursday as Niagara got throttled by London, 7-3. The game's #2 star, Shipley collected all of his points in the second period as the Dogs capitalized on a series of power plays to cut the Knights' lead to 4-3. Sabres scouts in attendance surely liked what they saw in that middle frame. The 6'3 center, who had just three three-point outings last season, is now on a four-game point streak heading into Friday's meeting with Sudbury. Development camp invite Michael Houser made 40 saves for London to move to 5-0 on the year.

Also from the OHL, Gregg Sutch registered his first fighting major of the season as Barrie gave up a late goal to lose to Mississauga, 4-3. Sutch, who dropped the mitts five times a season ago, got the best of former teammate Stuart Percy early in the third period. Sutch was traded from Mississauga to Barrie prior to the start of camp. Alex Lepkowski was a scratch for the Colts. Not sure of his status, but he wasn't discussed among the injured Colts throughout the week. The Colts tangle with Niagara on Friday.

In the WHL, Kevin Sundher picked up a primary assist, his ninth point of the young season, as Victoria lost to Medicine Hat, 4-2. The two clubs will play it back Friday night in Victoria.

Sutch enjoying new digs

The Barrie Examiner recently caught up with Colts forward Gregg Sutch, who is enjoying a change in scenery after a late summer trade that sent him north from Mississauga to Barrie.

A grinding forward who can produce moderate offensive numbers down low, Sutch is an affable player who could earn a contract by continuing to embrace the blue-collar role that he's likely to fill at the professional level.

Coming over to the Colts this year, Sutch is part of a different philosophy, one that he has enjoyed so far.

"I'm loving every moment of it," Sutch said. "It's been a great change for me, with good teammates and a great coaching staff. It's been a great experience so far and I'm looking forward to the long haul."

His talents have been appreciated in Barrie thus far.

"He's a big, strong, physical kid, who's a great team guy and understands the concept of thinking of the crest on the front first, and that'll take care of what's on the back," said Colts head coach Dale Hawerchuk.

"(Gregg) can bring a lot of good things, just understanding what it takes to win and the sacrifices you make."

10/5 Recap: Sabres ink trio to three-year deals

Mark Pysyk skated -1 Wednesday as Edmonton defeated Kootenay in a shootout, 2-1. Pysyk, who has two assists and a -2 rating through his first five games, will next take the ice Friday at Moose Jaw. ICE netminder Nathan Lieuwen made 26 saves in suffering his second defeat in a row. He enters Saturday’s tilt at Red Deer toting a 1.36 goals against average and .949 save percentage.

In the QMJHL, Cedrick Henley racked up three hits and two shots on goal as Val-d’Or lost a shootout to Rouyn-Noranda, 5-4. The 6’5 forward has yet to find the net through six regular season contests.

On Tuesday, Joel Armia posted an assist as Assat lost to Tappara, 3-2. Armia now has a goal and four assists with an even rating through his first nine games.

In case you missed it, the Sabres announced Wednesday that they have signed 2010 third-round draft pick, Matt MacKenzie.

The Buffalo Sabres signed Tri-City Americans defenseman Matt MacKenzie, the team's 2010 third-round draft pick, to a three-year entry-level contract worth $1.8 million.

Drafted 83rd overall, MacKenzie has 18 goals and 80 assists for 98 points, and 180 penalty minutes in 225 games split between the Western Hockey League's Calgary Hitmen and the Americans.

From New Westminster, British Columbia, MacKenzie, who will turn 20 on Oct. 15, was preparing for his second season with Tri-City, but he is scheduled to stay with the Rochester Americans (AHL).

On Thursday, the Sabres followed up the MacKenzie announcement by signing 2010 7th rounder Riley Boychuk and undrafted free agent winger Jonathan Parker to three-year entry level deals.

From the Sabres:

Boychuk (6’4”, 205 lbs., 2/20/91) picked up 30 points (14+16) and 157 penalty minutes with the Portland Winterhawks (WHL) in 2010-11. A native of Abbotsford, BC, Boychuk was the Sabres’ seventh round pick (208th overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. In four seasons with the Winterhawks, Boychuk has accumulated 83 points (39+44) and 391 penalty minutes in 194 games.

Parker (5’10”, 195 lbs., 9/25/91) spent the 2010-11 season with the Prince Albert Raiders (WHL), leading the team in both goals (45) and points (86). In three WHL seasons with the Raiders and the Seattle Thunderbirds, the Solana Beach, CA native has totaled 155 points (77+78) and 140 penalty minutes in 205 games.

SabresProspects Three Stars of the Week (10/2/11)

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.

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.