2/10 Recap: Kassian collects, Jacobs ramping up

In Friday AHL action, Zack Kassian scored a pair of goals while Corey Tropp (three assists) and Brayden McNabb (two assists) posted multi-point nights in Rochester's 9-4 blowout win over Texas. Kassian, whose effort included a short-handed tally, has now scored five goals on 12 shots in his last three games with Rochester.

Travis Turnbull (+5) earned the game's first star with two goals and an assist. Jonathan Parker, Paul Szczechura, Derek Whitmore, Mark Voakes, and Maxime Legault added singles for the Amerks.

All but four Amerks skaters (Lagace, Schiestel, Persson, Ryan) earned a point in the win. Drew MacIntyre made 23 stops to move to 8-11-0-2 on the year.

The Rundown:
Kassian: 2G, 6 SOG, +2
Parker: G, 3 SOG
Tropp: 3A, +4
McNabb: 2A, +2
Fienhage: 2A, +1
Crawford: A, +1
Foligno: A
Lagace: 2 SOG
Schiestel: +1
Persson: +2

The Amerks (22-18-6-3, 2nd in North Division) host San Antonio on Saturday.

***

Colin Jacobs recorded a goal and an assist as Seattle lost to Spokane, 5-4. While on a 5x3 in the middle period, the 6'1 center took a long pass and buried the breakaway backhander for his third goal in his last four games. The T-Birds will welcome another division rival to town on Saturday when they host Portland.

Kevin Sundher scored his 26th of the year and second in as many games as Brandon doubled Swift Current, 6-3. The win snaps the Wheat Kings six-game losing streak at home. Brandon will travel to Medicine Hat on Sunday.

Connor Knapp was forced to make just 11 saves as #12 Miami downed Alabama-Huntsville 3-1 in a non-conference affair. The 6'6 senior, who has now started eight of Miami's last 11 games, moves to 9-6 on the year. The two clubs will close the set Saturday in Oxford.



Justin Jokinen picked up an assist as Minnesota State defeated Alaska-Anchorage, 3-2. The senior wing now has a goal and three assists in three games this season versus the Seawolves. The teams will play it back on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc finished +1 as Rimouski edged Quebec, 2-1. Leduc continues to lead all QMJHL defenders in scoring with 60 points (24+36), nine more than his next closest competitor. The Oceanic will battle Blainville-Boisbriand on Saturday.

Cedrick Henley registered three hits as Val-d'Or was dealt a 3-1 defeat by Moncton. The 6'5 captain will look to snap an eight-game point drought on Saturday when the Foreurs host Cape Breton.

Alex Lepkowski skated even while Gregg Sutch got into his third fight of the year (and second in a week) as Barrie got past Sudbury, 4-3. Winners of five straight, the Colts will host the Niagara IceDogs (winners of four straight) on Saturday.



Drew MacKenzie was held to one shot on goal as Vermont was blown out by #5 Boston College, 6-1. The senior rearguard has gathered points in 18 of his last 24 games. The Catamounts are off until Friday when they visit New Hampshire.

Mark Adams logged a shot on goal as Providence earned a 4-3 win over #12 Maine. The friars move on to face Massachusetts on Saturday.

Christian Isackson saw action as the fourth line center, finishing -2 with a shot on goal as #2 Minnesota suffered a 5-3 loss at #14 Denver. The six-footer will look to dress in both ends of a WCHA set for the first time when the clubs rematch Saturday at Magness.

Mark Pysyk logged a season-low -3 rating as Edmonton dropped a 5-4 overtime decision at Prince George. The Oil Kings, ranked sixth in the latest CHL rankings, will look for the road split when the clubs play the rematch on Saturday.

Brad Eidsness served as backup as #16 North Dakota downed #3 Minnesota-Duluth, 3-1. The Sioux will likely keep the same lineup when they go for the sweep on Saturday.

Nathan Lieuwen was given the night off as Kootenay was shut out 2-0 by Red Deer. The ICE host Saskatoon on Saturday.

2/9 Recap: Sutch sets mark; Ship chips in

In Thursday OHL action, Gregg Sutch scored his career-high ninth goal of the year late in the third period as Barrie lost in a shootout to Sarnia, 3-2. The 6'2 grinder, who stole the puck from a Majors defenseman before lighting the lamp, has goals in two straight games for the second time this season. Alex Lepkowski was +1 for the winning side.

Steven Shipley recorded a pair of assists as Niagara skated to a 11-0 blowout win over Mississauga. The 6'3 center now has points in four straight, while the two-assist effort was his eighth multi-point game of the year. Shipley needs 15 points over the IceDogs' final 17 games to equal his total of 50 from a season ago.



Dan Catenacci saw his six-game point streak snapped as Owen Sound defeated Brampton 4-2. The 5'10 center has an even 60 points with 15 games left to play in the regular season.

Kassian adds pair in Amerks loss

Zack Kassian added two goals to his stat line Wednesday but the Amerks were halted by Toronto, 4-3. Maxime Legault (2009, 7th round) added the other Rochester mark, while Brayden McNabb added a pair of assists.

Kassian finished his own rebound to get the Amerks on the board at 1:43 of the second period, halving the Marlies lead to 2-1.



After the Marlies regained a two-goal lead in the third, Corey Tropp started a passing play that resulted in Legault's fourth of the year.



Trailing 4-2 in the game's final minute, Kassian tipped in his second of the game and 13th of the year with just :04 to go to complete the scoring.



The Amerks (21-18-6-3) remain in second place in the North Division.

Mike Ryan earned an assist in his first game back since October 14th.

The Rundown:
Kassian: 2G, 4 SOG, +1
McNabb: 2A, 3 SOG, +3
Tropp: A, 1 SOG
Schiestel: +2
Fienhage: +1
Lagace: even
Crawford: even
Persson: -2

2/8 Recap: Catenacci continues cruise

Dan Catenacci scored his 26th goal of the year Wednesday and then added the clincher in the shootout to give Owen Sound a 2-1 win at Erie. The 5’10 center extends his season-high point streak to six games (6+6), giving him an even 60 points on the year.

Kevin Sundher scored his 25th of the season as Brandon edged Regina, 3-2. The goal snaps Sundher’s four-game goal drought. The six-foot center has three goals and eight points in 14 games since joining the Wheat Kings from Victoria.



Colin Jacobs scored his sixth of the year on the power play as Seattle blanked Kelowna, 2-0. Jacobs has two goals in his last three games and a total of 10 points this season.



Mark Pysyk had an assist as Edmonton pounded Calgary, 9-5. The Oil Kings have won three straight and are 7-2-1 in their last 10.

On Tuesday, Pysyk was +1 as Edmonton earned a 3-1 win over Kootenay. ICE netminder Nathan Lieuwen played superb in defeat, stopping 32 of 34 shots to earn the game’s #2 star. The loss drops Lieuwen to 22-12-4-2 with a .922 save percentage and 2.31 goals against average. He’s stopped 88 of 93 shots in three February contests.

On Monday, Jacobs went without a point in Seattle's 7-3 loss to Spokane.

2/4 Recap: Cat scratch fever; Ship back on course

Dan Catenacci streaked in for the shorthanded game winner Saturday and added an assist as Owen Sound held on to defeat Belleville, 2-1. The speedy center is currently riding a five-game point streak that has seen him gather five goals and 11 points. Through 50 games in 2011-12, Catenacci has 25 goals and 59 points, good for 14th in the OHL scoring race.



Steven Shipley scored his 14th goal of the year and added an assist as Niagara erupted for four unanswered goals in the third period to overcome Brampton, 5-2. The 6'3 Shipley has struck in three straight for the IceDogs on the heels of a season-long eight-game drought.



Gregg Sutch notched his eighth goal of the season and a fighting major in Barrie's 5-0 shutout win over Sault Ste. Marie. The tally was the first since December 28th for the 6'2 grinder, while the fight was his first since getting the better of former teammate Stuart Percy back in October. Colts defender Alex Lepkowski missed his second straight game due to an unspecified reasons.



Colin Jacobs scored his fifth goal of the year as Seattle's losing losing streak hit five with a 3-1 loss to Kamloops. The 6'1 center, who missed the year's first 26 contests, has nine points this season including three goals in 15 games of the 2012 calendar year.




Nathan Lieuwen made 28 saves to earn the game's #3 star as Kootenay downed Spokane, 4-2. The 20-year old has stopped 56 of 59 shots over his last two starts to move his season record to 22-11-4-2 with a 2.31 goals against average (2nd in WHL) and .921 save percentage (2nd).

In NCAA action, Drew MacKenzie racked up two assists as Vermont was swept by Lowell, 6-4. The Connecticut native, who has new career highs with six goals and 14 assists, is tied for 10th in all of Hockey East with 11 power play points.

Connor Knapp made 28 stops but Miami was shut out by Michigan, 3-0. The 6'6 senior let in three goals for the first time since a 5-3 win at Ohio State back on 12/9. If his 1.86 goals against average (3rd in the country) wasn't enough, Knapp seems to have a firm grip on the #1 job down the stretch after having started seven of the RedHawks' last 10 games.

Elsewhere, Kevin Sundher finished +1 as Brandon dominated Swift Current, 7-3. Sundher has gone without a point in four straight games en route to accumulating just two goals and four assists in 13 appearances for the Wheat Kings. Despite the recent lapse, the six-footer remains tied for 8th in WHL scoring with 70 points (24+46).

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc (-2) saw his four-game point streak come to an end in Rimouski's 2-1 loss to Drummondville. Leduc, who had recorded three goals and three assists during the four-game stretch, has a career-best 24 goals and 60 points through 48 games.

Cedrick Henley finished -1 as Val-d'Or lost to Gatineau, 6-3. The Foreurs have lost six straight games. The 6'5 captain has gone without a point in all six of those defeats while contributing just four shots on goal.

Brad Navin recorded a shot in goal as Wisconsin was swept by St. Cloud State, 2-1. The 6'3 freshman has just one assist in his last 10 games while landing back in bottom line minutes.

Justin Jokinen (-1) recorded two shots on goal as Minnesota State suffered a 7-3 loss to Michigan Tech. The 6'3 senior has a goal and two assists in his last 10 games.

Mark Adams was even as Providence lost a 3-2 overtime decision to New Hampshire. The sophomore rearguard has recorded a shot on goal in just three of 16 games this season.

More points than vowels: Szczechura guides Amerks win

In Saturday AHL action, Paul Szczechura's overtime winner capped his four-point night to lead the Amerks to 5-4 win over Syracuse. Brayden McNabb and Marcus Foligno each chipped in with pairs of assists in the win to extend their point streaks to four games.

Trailing 4-2 entering the third period, the Amerks started the comeback by clicking on their only power play of the night when Travis Turnbull redirected Drew Schiestel's point shot at 7:49.


It was all Szczechura from there, as the center forced the extra session with his second goal of the night with under five minutes left in regulation before cashing in OT for his first career hat trick. The four points ties his career high. McNabb drew the lone assist on both the tying and winning marks.



With a one-time goal in the second period, Phil Varone has now earned a point in 14 of his last 20 games.

Drew McIntyre made 33 saves to improve to 7-11-0-2 on the year.

The Rundown:
Foligno: 2A, +4, 6 SOG
McNabb: 2A, +3
Schiestel: A
Lagace: A
Crawford: A, -1
Parker: 3 SOG
Szydlowski: 1 SOG
Persson: -1

***

On Friday, the Amerks were defeated 3-2 in overtime by visiting Abbotsford to split the back-to-back set. Szczechura and Igor Gongalsky had the Amerks goals.

The Rundown:
Foligno: A
McNabb: +1
Schiestel: -1, 2 SOG
Lagace: -1, 2 SOG
Crawford: -1
Parker: even
Persson: +1

Armia's pair lead Assat to victory

Joel Armia scored his 13th and 14th goals of the season Saturday including the overtime winner as Assat downed KalPa, 4-3. The 2011 first-rounder now has 29 points on the year, equaling his total from a season ago.

Armia's first mark was a powerful offensive display, starting with a nice move at the blueline before taking it hard to the net for the short side finish.




In overtime, action from behind the net resulted in the puck finding Armia in front, who swatted it in for the winner.

The 6'3 right wing has been on a tear since returning from the World Junior Championship, scoring six goals and five assists in 10 SM-liiga contests. With 13 games remaining on the schedule, a 20-goal, 40-point finish is within the realm of possibility. Not a bad turnaround for a player who had just two goals and six assists after his first 20 games.

Assat gets a 10-day break before their next match versus HPK on the 14th.

2/3 Recap: Cat's three extends streak

Dan Catenacci scored a goal and two assists in the first period Friday as Owen Sound lost in overtime to Windsor, 6-5. Catenacci, who was returning from a one-game suspension, has now collected four goals and nine points in his last four games. Chris Marchese ('12) had a goal and two helpers for the Spits.



Steven Shipley scored his 13th goal of the year as Niagara battled to a key 3-2 victory over the CHL's top-ranked London Knights. The 6'3 center now has goals on two straight games for the third time this season.

Nathan Lieuwen made 28 saves as Kootenay edged Calgary, 2-1. The victory, his first in his last five starts, moves Lieuwen to 21-11-4-2 on the year. Sam Reinhart ('14) scored his second goal of the game with :01 left on the clock to ice the win for the ICE.  

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc picked up an assist as Rimouski blew the doors off Quebec, 9-3. The QMJHL's leading defensive scorer, Leduc has gathered points in four straight games. 2012 draft stud Mikhail Grigorenko finished the game a -6.

Joel Armia earned an assist as Assat got past Tappara, 2-1. At the 40 game mark, the 6'3 wing has 12 goals and 27 points. In 48 games last year, Armia collected 18 goals and 29 points.



In NCAA play, Drew MacKenzie (+1) picked up an assist as Vermont was defeated by #9 Lowell, 3-1. The 6'2 senior has now recorded a point in 18 of his last 21 games.

Brad Navin was credited with a late power play assist in Wisconsin's 5-1 home ice loss to St. Cloud State. The helper was earned when Frankie Simonelli's point-shot deflected off Navin before Brendan Woods tipped it into the Husky net.

Connor Knapp made 12 saves in two periods of relief work as Miami lost at Michigan, 4-1. Knapp allowed a goal on the only Wolverine shot in the second before stopping everything thrown at him in the third. The  6'6 senior had started both ends in two of Miami's four January sets, but began the game on the bench as Cody Reichard was given the nod after posting a shutout last Saturday.



Justin Jokinen assisted on the Mavs insurance goal as Minnesota-State bested Michigan Tech, 5-3. The 6'3 senior has a goal and three helpers in his last 15 games (since 12/1).

Elsewhere, Kevin Sundher did not factor as Brandon was doubled by Lethbridge, 4-2. The Wheat Kings have won just three of 12 games since acquiring Sundher at the WHL trade deadline. Sundher has gone without a point in five of the 12 appearances.

Gregg Sutch was even in lower line minutes as Barrie edged Mississauga, 1-0. Alex Lepkowski did not play for the Colts.

Cedrick Henley finished -1 with seven hits as Val-d'Or was hammered by Shawinigan. 8-1. The Foreurs have now last their last five games.

Colin Jacobs was kept off the scoresheet as Seattle lost at Tri-City, 4-1. The Texas-born pivot has gone without a goal in his last six games.

Mark Adams was scratched as Providence lost to New Hampshire, 3-1. Adams has sat out three of the Friars' last seven games.

Leggio stands tall as Amerks cool Heat

In Thursday AHL action, Nick Crawford, Phil Varone, and Travis Turnbull each had a goal, and David Leggio made 33 saves for his first shutout of the year as Rochester downed Abbotsford, 3-0.

Crawford wasted little time getting the Amerks on the board with his third of the season just 1:35 into the opening frame.

The teams would play a scoreless second before Phil Varone accepted a Marcus Foligno pass while shorthanded to notch his sixth of the year at 2:56 of the third. Abbotsford brought the heat with 14 shots in the final stanza, with Leggio standing tall en route to earning the game's #1 star.

The Rundown:
Crawford: GWG, +2, 2 SOG
Foligno: 2A, +2, 4 SOG
McNabb: A, +2
Schiestel: even
Biega: 2 SOG
Szydlowski: +1
Lagace: even
Parker: even
Persson: even
Varone: G, +2

The Amerks will look for the rink to be rocking when the two clubs play it back on Friday.

2/1 Recap: Leduc clicks for Nics

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc scored a goal and two assists Wednesday to guide Rimouski to an exciting 8-7 overtime win over Victoriaville. The mobile defender, who assisted on the game winner, now has goals in three straight games. The multi-point night is his first since 12/16, giving him a new career-best of 59 (24+35). The Nics have three straight games, and seven of their last 10.

On Monday, Joel Armia finished -1 with two shots on goal as Assat downed Jokerit, 4-1. The 6’3 wing, who failed to earn a point, earned 14:10 of work in defeat. He’s hit for 12 goals and 14 assists in 39 games this season, including four goals and four assists in eight January outings.

Colin Jacobs recorded a minor penalty as Seattle lost to visiting Spokane, 5-3. In 22 games, the 6'1 center has gathered four goals, eight points, and a -14 rating.