Monday, February 27, 2012

2/26 Recap: Henley stars in Foreurs win

On Sunday, Cedrick Henley scored a goal and two assists to earn the game's #2 star as Val-d'Or clobbered Drummondville, 7-3. The win gives the Foreurs three straight victories. Henley's fourth three-point game of the season gives him 34 points (13+21) with seven games remaining.

Elsewhere, Mark Pysyk finished +1 as Edmonton defeated Lethbridge, 4-1.

Colin Jacobs logged a +1 as Seattle was dumped by Tri-City, 5-1.

Steven Shipley sat out with a hip injury as Niagara rolled past Kingston, 9-3.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

2/25 Recap: Knapp wins again; Leduc stands out

Connor Knapp racked up his fifth straight win Saturday, making 22 saves as Miami earned the weekend sweep with a 5-1 victory at Ohio State. The 6'6 senior has now won 12 of his last 14 starts while allowing one goal or less in 11 of those decisions. Knapp finishes the regular season leading the nation in goals against average (1.53) while ranking second in save percentage (.939). The RedHawks will get a week off before taking on Michigan State in a CCHA quarterfinal matchup.

In the QMJHL, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc scored a pair of goals as Rimouski defeated Baie-Comeau, 7-4. Leduc's first multi-goal effort since December 2nd (27 games) increases his season point total to 67, which is 12 more than any other QMJHL defenseman. With 26 goals on the year, Leduc has now set a new single-season high for defensive prospects drafted by the Darcy Regier regime (going back to 1997).

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc - 26 (2011-12)
Dennis Wideman - 24 (2003-04)
Brayden McNabb - 22 (2010-11)
Marc-Andre Gragnani - 22 (2006-07)
Andrej Sekera - 21 (2005-06)

The 6'1 righty has seven games left in his quest to hit the 30-goal mark. The Nics are now off until Friday when they host Cape Breton.



Dan Catenacci scored his 31st goal of the year on the power play as Owen Sound smoked Kitchener, 7-1. The speedy center, who also added a helper in the rout, has collected 11 goals and 10 assists in his last 14 games to jump up to 14th in OHL scoring with 69 points. The Attack return to action Wednesday versus Barrie.



Nathan Lieuwen made 25 saves as Kootenay came away with a 5-4 overtime victory at Prince Albert. The victory, which snaps a personal four-game skid, was the 83rd of hiss career, setting the ICE all-time franchise record for goaltender wins. There's still some room to improve though, as the 6'5 stopper has allowed three or more goals in four of his last five games. The ICE will head home to prepare for Wednesday's battle with Eastern Conference leaders, Edmonton.



Fourth-line forward Brad Navin slammed home a rebound for his third goal of the year and contributed a team-high five shots on net as Wisconsin ended the regular season with a 4-2 win over Bemidji State. The Badgers will begin the WCHA playoffs next weekend with a road set at Minnesota.

Cedrick Henley scored his 12th goal of the year as Val-d'Or drilled PEI, 7-3. The 20-year old forward has scored three times in his last 15 games. Les Foreurs go right back at it on Sunday when they welcome Drummondville to town.

In SM-liiga action, Joel Armia picked up an assist as Assat lost to HIFK, 4-1. Playing the point on the power play, Armia's one-timer deflected right to teammate Mark Lee for the Aces only goal. The helper bumps the 18-year old up to 34 points (16+18) through 47 games. A sign of a growing all-around player, the 6'3 wing earned a season-high in icetime for a second straight game by capturing 21:55 of work. Assat travels to JYP on Tuesday.



Drew MacKenzie collected an assist in the final home game of his career as Vermont suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime loss to #5 Boston University. The Catamounts took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission and held the lead all the way until the 59th minute when Wade Megan's 17th of the year tied it up for the Terriers. Vermont (6-25-1) closes out the regular season next weekend with a nationally televised set at Boston College.

Brad Eidsness stopped 19 of 23 shots in two periods of work as North Dakota was dominated in the middle frame en route to a 5-3 loss at Denver. The senior, who was making his fifth straight start, was replaced by Aaron Dell to start the third period. The Fighting Sioux will host Minnesota State next weekend in the first round of the WCHA playoffs.

Colin Jacobs finished +1 as Seattle shut out Everett, 3-0. The T-Birds will play the front end of home-and-home with Tri-City on Sunday.

Gregg Sutch and Alex Lepkowski were both held off the scoresheet as Barrie was defeated by Mississauga, 2-1. Majors defenseman Trevor Carrick ('12) scored his third of the year.

Kevin Sundher missed his sixth game with a concussion as Brandon edged Regina, 2-1. The Wheat Kings are 6-0 without the services of their prize deadline acquisition.

Mark Adams did not play (concussion) as Providence got hammered by Boston College, 7-0. The sophomore has missed the past three games after getting injured in a hard hitting affair with Northeastern two Fridays ago. The Friars close the regular season next weekend with a home-and-home against Lowell.

Christian Isackson was scratched for the fourth straight game as Minnesota defeated Nebraska-Omaha, 3-2. Isackson and Adams remain as the only two Sabres prospects who have yet to score in 2011-12.

Brennan gets two as Amerks survive shootout

Igor Gongalsky capped off a 15-round shootout Saturday as Rochester soldiered to a 4-3 win over Lake Erie. T.J. Brennan scored his 10th and 11th goals of the year in regulation, while Brayden McNabb added a goal and an assist to help the Amerks to their third straight win.

Phil Varone assisted on all three Amerks goals to give him 31 points in his last 33 games. He and Marcus Foligno scored the other shootout goals.

David Leggio was excellent for the second straight night, making 22 saves in regulation and then another 13 in the shootout to secure his 18th victory.

The Rundown:
Brennan: 2G, 2 SOG
McNabb: G, A, 3 SOG
Foligno: A, SHOG
Adam: 2 SOG
Lagace: fighting major
Crawford: -1

The Amerks (26-21-6-3, 61 points, 2nd in North Division) resume play on Friday with a visit to Grand Rapids.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Leggio shines as Amerks win 2nd straight

In Friday AHL play, Derek Whitmore and Dennis Persson scored while David Leggio sparkled with 27 saves as Rochester posted a 2-0 shutout victory over Adirondack. The Amerks (25-21-6-3) have won two straight, and now sit in 9th place in the Western Conference standings with 59 points.

Whitmore's game winner at 11:00 of the first was his team-leading 23rd goal of the year. Third-year man Persson cashed on a power play in the early second period to give him goals in two straight games for the second time in his career.

Luke Adam assisted on both Rochester goals for his second multi-point game in an Amerks sweater. The reigning AHL rookie of the year has collected five assists in six games since being re-assigned.

The game's #1 star, Leggio posted his second shutout of the year and fifth of his AHL career to improve to 17-15-3-1.

The Rundown:
Persson: G, +1, 5 SOG
Adam: 2A, +1, 2 PIM
Foligno: SOG, 2 PIM
Brennan: 2 SOG
McNabb: 2 PIM
Lagace: SOG
Crawford: 2 SOG

The Amerks welcome Lake Erie to the BCA on Saturday.

***

On Wednesday, Corey Tropp potted a pair of goals and an assist to lead Rochester to a 5-2 win over Hershey. Persson added a goal and an assist for the Amerks, while Marcus Foligno notched his 14th of the season.



The Rundown:
Tropp: 2G, A, +2
Foligno: G, +1
Crawford: 2A
Adam: A, -1
McNabb: +2
Brennan: 3 SOG
Lagace: -1

2/24 Recap: Knapp ties mark; Eidsness steps up

Connor Knapp remained the hottest goaltender in all of college hockey Friday, stopping 28 shots to tie Miami's all-time record for shutouots in a 3-0 win over Ohio State. The 6'6 senior has been stellar since January 1st, claiming a 9-2 record with a .90 goals against average, .962 save percentage, and four shutouts. Knapp, who moves to 12-6 overall, now leads the nation with a 1.56 goals against average, while his .938 save percentage ranks third (the co-leaders have .939). Look for him to remain in the RedHawks net when the teams travel to Columbus for Saturday's rematch.



Brad Eidsness made 26 saves in his third consecutive start to backstop North Dakota to a 4-3 win over Denver. The Sioux took a 4-1 lead late into the game before the Pioneers beat Eidsness for two goals in the final 47 seconds. Unbeaten in his last four starts, the senior could cause some tough decisions for the North Dakota coaching staff down the stretch. The Sioux, who sit in the fourth spot in the WCHA standings, will look to complete the road sweep on Saturday.

Alex Lepkowski scored his seventh goal of the year as Barrie earned a 5-4 shootout win over Ottawa. The 6'4 defender flung a point shot past World Junior sensation Petr Mrazek to give the Colts their first lead at 4:15 of the third. It was his third goal this season against the 67's. Gregg Sutch (even) committed a slashing minor at the end of the second period that resulted in a 67's power play goal at 1:23 of the third. The Colts head home for a Saturday night tilt with Mississauga.

Elsewhere, Dan Catenacci was held in check as Owen Sound dropped a 6-2 decision at Guelph. Catenacc, who has 10 goals and 19 points in his last baker's dozen, will look to keep his mojo going on Saturday when the Attack host Kitchener.

Nathan Lieuwen allowed five goals on 31 shots as Kootenay was smoked by Saskatoon, 5-0. The 6'5 netminder has lost his last four starts. The ICE will visit Prince Albert on Sunday.

Mark Pysyk did not register as Edmonton got past Calgary, 4-1. The Oil Kings will begin the final 10-game block of the season on Sunday against Lethbridge.

Steve Shipley finished -1 as Niagara was defeated was Mississauga, 3-2. The Dogs return to action Sunday when they host Kingston.

Drew MacKenzie pumped four shots on goal as Vermont was blanked by Boston University, 5-0. The senior defenseman will play his final home game at Gutterson Fieldhouse on Saturday.

Brad Navin recorded a shot on goal as Wisconsin rode a strong second period to a 4-2 win over Bemidji State. The Badgers will complete their first-ever trip to Bemidji on Saturday.

Kevin Sundher remained out of the lineup (day to day, concussion) as Brandon skated to a 3-2 victory over Swift Current.

Mark Adams remained out of action with a concussion as Providence lost to Boston College, 3-0.

Christian Isackson was scratched as Minnesota edged Nebraska-Omaha, 3-2.

Friday, February 24, 2012

2/23 Recap: Shipley lights lamp; Sutch scrappy

In Thursday OHL play, Steven Shipley scored on the power play as Niagara rolled to a 7-1 win over Sault Ste. Marie. The goal, Shipley's 16th of the season, gives him 38 points after 53 games. The victory moves the IceDogs back into the Eastern Conference lead with 10 games left on the schedule. Niagara travels to Mississauga on Friday.

Gregg Sutch (fighting major) and Alex Lepkowski (-1) did not factor into the scoring as Barrie defeated Peterborough 4-3 in the shootout. Sutch, who missed as the Colts second shootout shooter, engaged Stephen Trojanovic in the first period for his fourth fight in his last eight games. Unbeaten in their last four, the Colts will next gallop to Ottawa for a Friday night tilt.



In Finland, Joel Armia did not score but received a season-high 19:32 of work in Assat's 3-2 loss to Karpat. The Aces return to action Saturday when they host HIFK.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

2/22 Recap: Cat's speed makes difference

On Wednesday, Dan Catenacci scored his 30th goal of the year and added a pair of assists as Owen Sound earned a 4-3 overtime win over Sarnia. The quick pivot has 67 points with 10 regular season games left to play. Sting wing Nail Yakupov ('12) scored his 28th goal in defeat.



Elsewhere, Mark Pysyk (-2) notched an assist as Edmonton lost to Kelowna, 6-4. Rockets forward Carter Rigby ('12) scored his 18th and 19th goals of the year.

Cedrck Henley picked up an assist as Val-d'Or doubled Rouyn-Noranda, 4-2. Francois Tremblay ('12) made 29 saves for his 17th win of the year.

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc finished +1 in Rimouski's 6-3 win over Acadie-Bathurst. Francis Beauvillier ('12) scored his 22nd goal for the Nics in the win.

Nathan Lieuwen made 23 saves as Kootenay lost to Regina, 2-1.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

2/21 Recap: Armia strikes again; Sundher concussed

Joel Armia scored his 16th goal of the year Tuesday and added an assist as Assat skated past TPS, 4-2. The 1+1 effort was Armia's seventh multiple game of the season. The 18-year old winger has collected nine goals and eight assists in his last 15 games, and now has 33 points (3rd on team) with nine dates left on the regular season schedule.

In the WHL, Kevin Sundher missed his fourth game due to a concussion as Brandon dropped a 5-4 shootout decision to Kootenay. ICE netminder Nathan Lieuwen, who leads the WHL with a 2.30 goals against average, was given the night off.

Monday, February 20, 2012

2/20 Recap: Pysyk produces; Parker marks

Mark Pysyk had a busy Monday, scoring a goal and two assists in the final twenty minutes as Edmonton clawed their way back from a 3-0 deficit to earn a 5-4 shootout win over Medicine Hat. Entering play with no goals in his previous 12 games, Pysyk knotted the score at 3-3 with his fifth of the year in the 55th minute. After the Tigers regained the lead with under three minutes to play, Pysyk got the puck to the net for Dylan Wruck's game-tying tally with 37 seconds left in regulation. The three-point effort was Pysyk's fourth of the season.



In OHL play, Gregg Sutch and Alex Lepkowski were each held without a point as Barrie cruised to a 6-1 win over Oshawa. Sutch has gone without a point in his last five games. Not known for his offensive numbers, Lepkowski has one in his last 16 games.

In the ECHL, Jonathan Parker scored his first goal in a Gladiators uniform as Gwinnett lost at Cincinnati, 3-2. Riley Boychuk added an assist for the Glads, while Shawn Szydlowski recorded four shots on goal. The trio has combined for two goals and seven points in three games since being sent being assigned to the ECHL.

2/19 Recap: Leduc collects in rout; Amerks stumble

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc collected three assists Sunday as Rimouski rolled to a 10-3 win over Cape Breton. The three-point game was Leduc's eighth of the year and second in his last eight games. He sits at 65 points after 53 games, seven short of Brayden McNabb's blueline-leading 72 points from a season ago.

In other QMJHL action, Cedrick Henley picked up an assist as Val-d'Or lost to Blainville-Boisbriand, 6-2. The 6'5 forward now has points in three straight games.

Dan Catenacci finished -2 as Owen Sound ran out of gas in a 4-2 loss at Saginaw. The loss comes in the Attack's third game in three days, putting a halt to their six-game winning streak. Catenacci sits at 64 points with 11 games to play.

Colin Jacobs finished -1 with goaltender interference penalty in Seattle's 3-0 shutout loss to Spokane. The T-Birds have lostt hree straight and are 2-8 in their last 10 but remain in seventh place in the WHL's Western Conference.

In the AHL, Corey Tropp and Paul Szczechura gave the Amerks a 2-0 lead after 20-minutes but Hamilton erupted for six unanswered goals to secure a 7-3 win. The goal was Tropp's first in the AHL since 10/29.

Derek Whitmore also scored for the Amerks while Drew MacIntyre made 41 stops in defeat.

The Rundown:
Tropp: G, +1, 2 SOG
Brennan: A, 4 SOG, 4 PIM
Adam: -1, 5 SOG
McNabb: 3 SOG
Foligno: A
Schiestel: -2, 2 SOG
Crawford: +1
Lagace: 1 SOG
Biega: 1 SOG