Sabres Prospects Three Stars of the Week (11/6/11)

Amerks rally to down Crunch

Brayden McNabb banged the overtime game winner in off the crossbar as Rochester avenged Saturday night's loss with a 6-5 win over Syracuse. The OT tally was the first goal of McNabb's pro career. The 6'5 defender, who earlier was credited with a short-handed assist, was not named to the game's three stars.

Zack Kassian scored his fifth goal of the year on a breakaway and added an assist for the winners, while Alex Biega and Jacob Lagace also chipped in with helpers.

The Rundown:
McNabb: GWG, A, +1
Kassian: G, A
Lagace: A
Biega: A, +1
Szydlowski: A
Crawford: -1
Brennan: +2
Foligno: +1
Schiestel: 1 SOG
Boychuk: DNP
Parker: DNP

11/6 Recap: Cat trick fuels Attack

In Sunday OHL action, Dan Catenacci notched his first career OHL hat trick to lead Owen Sound to a 5-2 win over Kingston. Catenacci, who scored the game winner before capping the trick with an empty-netter at 19:59, is currently tied for 9th in the OHL with 25 points (11+14). The Attack are off until Friday's tilt with Sarnia.



In QMJHL play, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc finished +1 with six shots on goal as Rimouski lost in the final minute to Quebec, 3-2. The Quebec City native has cooled considerably of late, collecting just two assists over his past five games after beginning the year with 11+15 in his first dozen. The Nics travel to Shawinigan on Friday.

Cedrick Henley (-2) saw his four-game point streak come to and end as Val-d'Or lost to Halifax, 5-3. Les Foreurs are off until Friday when they host Gatineau.

Amerks outworked by neighbors

In Saturday AHL action, Jacob Lagace and Marcus Foligno potted goals for the second straight night but Rochester was dominated at Syracuse, 5-2.

After former Kelowna Rocket Kyle Cumiskey gave the Crunch a first period lead, Lagace scored his fifth of the season at 8:49 to tie the game 1-1 heading into the first intermission.

It was all Crunch from there as Syracuse would net the game's next four goals, including the first three on the power play, to stifle an Amerks offense that would fire just 13 shots over the final 40-minutes. The Crunch, on the other hand, fired 31 shots over that span for a total of 42 on Amerks netminder Drew MacIntyre.

Marcus Foligno, skating for the second straight night with Paul Szczechura and Zack Kassian, scored his fifth goal of the season in the game's final minute.

Orchard Park native and former Lowell standout Nick Schaus was -1 for the Crunch.

The Rundown:

Foligno: 1G, +1, 1 SOG

Lagace: 1G, 2 SOG

Kassian: +1, 2 SOG

McNabb: +1, 4 PIM

Schiestel: +1

Crawford: +1

Biega: +1, 1 SOG, 2 PIM

Brennan: -1, 3 SOG

MacKenzie: -1, 2 PIM

Szydlowski: DNP

Boychuk: DNP

Parker: DNP

Persson: DNP

Winners just once in their last seven, the Amerks will look for a rebound when the two clubs head back to Rochester for Sunday's rematch.

11/5 Recap: Sundher bags pair; Lepkowski lights first

Kevin Sundher added to his gaudy stat line Saturday by scoring a pair of goals in Victoria's 5-3 home-ice loss to Vancouver. The first came from being in the right spot at the right time to deflect a lucky bounce, and the second from getting to the net with his stick on the ice. The Team Canada hopeful, who has points in his last four, has gathered 13 goals and a league-leading 23 assists in his first 19-games to place 3rd overall in WHL scoring with 36 points.



Mark Pysyk (+3) scored his first goal of the year and added an assist as Edmonton got past Seattle, 4-1. The one-timer from the right point gave the OK's a 3-0 lead with just one second remaining in the first period. Edmonton and Victoria will clash on Tuesday.



Elsewhere in the WHL, Nathan Lieuwen made 26 saves as Kootenay lost in overtime to Red Deer, 4-3. Lieuwen, who has won his previous five starts, moves to 10-2-1-2 on the year while "slipping" to a 1.64 GAA and .941 save percentage. The ICE host Tri-City on Wednesday.

In OHL play, Alex Lepkowski scored his first-ever OHL goal in his 100th career game as Barrie lost in overtime to Saginaw, 5-4. The 6'4 defenseman, who has missed nine of the Colts 17 games this season with a UBI, now has 10 career points over three seasons of play. He arrived in Barrie last season in a trade from the Spirit. Gregg Sutch finished -1 for the Colts, who return to action Friday against Mississauga.

Dan Catenacci finished -1 as Owen Sound lost a 2-1 decision to Belleville. At the 20-game mark, the 5'10 center has scored eight goals and 22 points as part of a line with Jarrod Maidens ('12) and Cameron Brace. The Attack travel to Kingston on Sunday.



Steven Shipley was +1 as Niagara downed Kitchener, 3-1. The 6'3 center, who was a plus-player for the third time this season, has just one point in his last six games and total of 10 on the year. The Dogs return to play Friday at Brampton.

In QMJHL play, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc was +3 with a key shootout goal as Rimouski downed Drummondville, 4-3. After scoring points in his first dozen games, the Q-league's leading defensive scorer has gone without a point in three of his last four. The Oceanic will play a Sunday matinee at Quebec.



In NCAA play, Mark Adams notched an assist in his season debut as Providence swept Vermont, 5-1. Adams, who missed the previous weeks with a lower body injury, (edit:) skated on the Friars second pair. Drew MacKenzie recorded three shots on goal for the Catamounts. The Friars will host Alabama-Huntsville Friday while Vermont next takes on New Hampshire on Saturday.

Justin Jokinen tied a career-high with six shots on goal as Minnesota State doubled Michigan Tech, 6-3. The senior forward has gone without a point in his last three games. The Mavs continue the WCHA schedule next Friday at St. Cloud.

Brad Navin posted three shots on goal as Wisconsin played to a 3-3 tie with St. Cloud State. The fourth-line frosh has one assist thoruhg his first nine NCAA games. The Badgers will host red-hot Minnesota next weekend.

Brad Eidsness served as back-up for the fifth straight game as North Dakota lost to #5 Minnesota, 3-2. The Sioux, ranked #15 nationally heading into the weekend, were swept at Minnesota for the first time in 15 years. They'll look to get back on track two weeks from now at Bemidji State. Gopher freshman Christian Isackson was a scratch for the fourth straight game.

Connor Knapp served as backup for the second straight game as Miami edged Alaska-Fairbanks, 2-1. The Redhawks will welcome Michigan to Oxford for a two-game set starting Friday.

11/4 Recap: Sundher, Lieuwen continue Western cruise

Kevin Sundher continued his strong start Friday with a pair of assists as Victoria edged Vancouver, 2-1. The slashing center has now collected two or more points in 12 of the Royals 18 games this season en route to amassing 11 goals and league-best 23 assists. The Royals and Giants will play a rematch Saturday in Victoria.



Nathan Lieuwen stopped 29 shots to earn his 10th win of the year as Kootenay toppled Everett, 4-2. The 6'5 netminder improves to a perfect 7-0 this season on home ice. Collecting the win on five days rest, there's a good chance that Lieuwen goes for his sixth consecutive victory Saturday when the ICE host Red Deer.

Cedrick Henley picked up an assist as Val-d'Or defeated Cape Breton, 5-3. The Foreurs fourth leading scorer, Henley will take a four-game point streak into Sunday's tilt at Halifax.

In the OHL, Gregg Sutch posted a career-low -4 as Barrie lost at Plymouth, 4-1. Colts defenseman Alex Lepkowski, who recently returned for two games after missing eight due to a UBI, did not play. Barrie moves to face Saginaw on Saturday.

Dan Catenacci skated -2 with a slashing minor as Owen Sound got pounded by Ottawa, 5-1. Catenacci had points in three straight games prior to the loss. The Attack will lock horns with Belleville on Saturday.

Steven Shipley logged a -1 in Niagara's 4-3 loss to Kitchener. The third-line pivot has been a minus-player in eight of the Dogs 13 games this season. The two clubs will travel to Niagara Saturday to complete the home-and-home series.

In NCAA action, Drew MacKenzie scored his first goal of the year as Vermont lost at Providence, 5-2. The 6'2 defenseman, who missed last weekend's set with Merrimack due to injury, fired from the right point in the opening minute of the third period for the Catamounts final goal of the night. Providence sophomore Mark Adams has yet to appear on the Friars blueline this season due to a lower body injury.

In WCHA play, Brad Navin finished -1 with a shot on goal as Wisconsin was routed by St. Cloud State, 7-2. The 6'2 freshman has one assist through the first eight games of his NCAA career while skating on the Badgers fourth line. Wisconsin will look to avenge the road beating on Saturday.

Justin Jokinen was even with three shots on goal as Minnesota State was shut out at #16 Michigan Tech, 1-0. The senior wing has yet to get it going, scoring a goal and two assists in seven games. The struggling Mavericks will look for their second win of the year when the teams finish the set on Saturday.

Brad Eidsness served as back-up to Aaron Dell (30 saves) as #15 North Dakota was blanked by #5 Minnesota, 2-0. Gopher freshman Christian Isackson was a healthy scratch. With Dell looking sharp in defeat, it's fair to expect Eidsness to again watch from the bench in Saturday's series closer.

In the CCHA, Connor Knapp did not play as Miami slid past Alaska-Fairbanks, 2-1. The win snaps a five-game losing streak for the RedHawks while giving the proud program their first CCHA victory of the year. Knapp has generally been the Saturday night starter for most of the past three seasons, so it's possible he takes the net for the series closer despite a bumpy run last weekend against Lake Superior State.

Quick strikes key Amerks to victory

The Rochester Americans used quick starting abilities Friday, scoring all of their goals in the opening minutes of the first two periods to defeat Binghamton, 3-2.

Jacob Lagace and Zack Kassian put the Amerks in the drivers seat early with goals before the game was three minutes old. The tallies were the fourth of the season for each player.

With Rochester holding a 2-1 lead at the first intermission, Marcus Foligno would snatch the eventual game-winner just 1:39 into the middle frame. The marker was Foligno's fourth of the year and first game clincher of his professional career.

The game featured three fights, with Matt MacKenzie earning his second major of the season sandwiched between a Joe Finley-Francis Lessard double header.

Paul Szczechura made his Amerks debut, notching an assist on the Kassian goal. Maxime Legault (-1) also made his first appearance of the season.

The Rundown:
Foligno: GWG, +1, 3 SOG
Kassian: G, +1, 3 SOG
Lagace: G, +2, 2 SOG
Schiestel: 1A, +2, 3 SOG
McNabb: +2
Crawford: 3 SOG
MacKenzie: -1, fighting major
Brennan: 4 SOG
Biega: 4 PIM
Boychuk: DNP
Parker: DNP
Szydlowski: DNP
Persson: DNP

The Amerks square off with Syracuse on Saturday.

11/3 Recap: Trio lights lamp

Cedrick Henley notched a goal and an assist Thursday as Val-d'Or was outgunned by Cape Breton, 6-5. The Foreurs captain, who continues to heat up with six goals, 10 points, and a +7 rating in his last seven games, was a bit of a goat for his giveaway on the Eagles game winning goal.



In OHL play, Gregg Sutch bagged the game winning goal as Barrie downed Windsor, 5-2. The hard-hitting forward now has three goals in his last four games. The game winner, scored from the slot off a Zach Hall pass from the corner, was the fourth of his career. Alex Lepkowski finished +1 on the Colts blueline.



Steven Shipley scored his third goal of the year as Niagara lost to Oshawa, 5-3. With 17-seconds left in the first period, Shipley buried a drop pass from the slot to snap a six-game goal drought. The 6'3 center's all-around effort was rewarded with the game's #1 star.

Tropp gets the call

With Patrick Kaleta suspended for four games and Jochen Hecht still sidelined, the Sabres have recalled second-year pro Corey Tropp from the AHL's Rochester Americans.

From the Sabres website:

Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier announced today that forward Corey Tropp has been recalled from the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.

Tropp (6’0”, 195 lbs., 7/25/89) will join the Sabres on his first career recall. He spent the 2010-11 season in Portland, posting 40 points (10+30) in his first professional season. In 10 games with Rochester this season, Tropp has seven points (4+3), tying for the Americans’ lead in goals.

Tropp was selected by the Sabres in the third round (89th overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Here's the capsule on Tropp from last spring's rankings:

A gritty forward with a scoring touch, Tropp left Michigan State a year early to get his pro career going in 2010-11 with the AHL's Pirates. The six-foot wing is a productive gamer, fearlessly entering the mix to make plays and willing to escalate the physical forays to make a point. Posting four fighting majors in Sioux Falls (USHL) before his three-year stay in E. Lansing, Tropp led all Sabres prospects this past season with nine scraps while contributing a clutch 10 goals and 30 assists in 76 games.

By no means is Tropp's value to the Sabres as a pugilist, but the willingness rounds out a balanced middle-line package that isn't too far off from getting a crack. Tropp, who also cashed four game winning goals in the shootout (tied for the AHL lead), continued his rookie ramp-up in the first round of the playoffs, scoring seven points (2+5) while the Pirates main cogs (Mark Mancari and Gragnani) were up in Buffalo.

The Detroit-area product likely has a few more goals in his stick (20 in 2009-10 as Spartans MVP), so expect his quick-release offense to keep gaining traction while adding to the overall team toughness shift-by-shift. Realistically Tropp is a year away from campaigning for a full-time gig, but don't be surprised if he makes some noise as camp battles heat up this fall. He's an underrated effort guy whose talent can take on many different roles.

Shortly after that write-up, Tropp soldiered on with an excellent effort in July's development camp. His upward trajectory would continue in Buffalo's main camp where he scored a goal in two pre-season appearances.

11/3 Recap: Leduc back on track

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc earned two assists Wednesday as Rimouski edged Saint John, 4-3. With the teams tied 3-3 after 40-minutes, Leduc set up Peter Trainor's power play game winner at 11:21 of the third period to hand the CHL's #2 ranked squad their sixth loss of the year. The Quebec City native snapped a two-game point drought after registering at least one in his first dozen games.



Joel Armia returned to the Assat lineup for a pair of games this week, playing 7:17 in their 5-2 win over HIFK Tuesday before popping off five shots on goal in 12:35 of work in Wednesday's 4-1 victory over KalPa. The 6'3 wing, who was benched for a game over the weekend, has now gone without a point in his last four outings. He's scored just two goals through his first 19 games after ringing up 18 last season as a 17-year old SM-liiga rookie.