4/27 Recap: Pysyk, Shipley advance; Leduc lights lamp

Mark Pysyk recorded an assist Friday as Edmonton won the WHL Eastern Conference final with a 4-1 win over Moose Jaw. Following the game, the captain opted to honor the superstition of not touching the conference trophy as part of their preparation for what should be an amazing championship battle with the Portland Winterhawks. Pysyk, who has seven points (2+5) and a +6 rating through 13 playoff games, will now draw the assignment of shutting down a Ty Rattie-Sven Bartschi combo that has combined for 54 points in 15 games. The series opens next Thursday in Edmonton.

Steven Shipley went without a point as Niagara captured their first Bobby Orr Trophy as OHL Eastern Eastern Conference champions with a 3-2 game five win over Ottawa. The 6'3 center has posted just one assist in his last 11 games while showing upped intensity and third-line checking value. The IceDogs, who skated the trophy around the ice for the home fans, move on to face the London Knights for the rights to represent the Ontario Hockey League at the 2012 Memorial Cup.

Elsewhere, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc scored his eighth goal of the playoffs as Rimouski inched their way closer to a berth in the QMJHL final with a 9-0 shellacking of Halifax. The power play mark was Leduc's 15th point in 16 games. His eight goals are three more than any other Canadian junior blueliner this postseason. Holding the 3-2 series lead, the Oceanic will need the momentum of the blowout win when they skate into Halifax for Sunday's game six.

4/25 Recap: Trio blanked as series play on

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc (+1) fired five shots on goal Wednesday but was unable to light the lamp as Rimouski was defeated by Halifax 3-1 in game #4 of their QMJHL semifinal. The series is deadlocked at two games each with game #5 coming Friday in Rimouski.

Mark Pysyk was even as Edmonton saw their 22-game winning streak end with a 5-1 loss at Moose Jaw. The Oil Kings, who remain in control of the Eastern Conference final with 3-1 lead, will get another crack at advancing to the WHL Championship Friday in Edmonton. The winner will play the Portland Winterhawks.

Steven Shipley was left off the scoresheet as Niagara skated to a 5-2 win over Ottawa. Leading the OHL Eastern Conference final by a 3-1 count, the IceDogs will look to close out the 67's Friday in St. Catharines. The London Knights await the series winner.

4/24 Recap: Leduc unloads in loss; Pysyk looks "good"

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc scored his seventh goal of the playoffs Tuesday as Rimouski was defeated by Halifax 4-3 in game #3 of the QMJHL semifinal. The one-time missile tied the game at three midway through the second period. Martin Frk ('12) notched the game winner for the Mooseheads with a rocket of his own at 18:38 of the second, while Nathan MacKinnon ('13) notched a pair of assists for his 25th point in 15 playoff games. The Oceanic maintain a 2-1 series lead heading into Wednesday's game #4.



In the WHL playoffs, Mark Pysyk assisted on the game's first goal as Edmonton edged Moose Jaw 3-2 to take a commanding 3-0 series lead in the WHL Eastern Conference final. The steady 6'2 defender was excellent throughout, using his stick smartly and always being in the right spots in all zones.

In fact, at one point in the middle frame the Warriors announcers stated, "There is no but. Mark Pysyk is good."


The Oil Kings go for their third straight sweep, 23rd win overall (going back to regular season), and first-ever berth in the WHL Championship Wednesday in Moose Jaw.

4/23 Recap: Amerks swept

The Rochester Americans saw their season come to an end Monday as the Toronto Marlies swept them from the first round of the AHL playoffs with a 3-0 shutout. The Marlies were able to get a goal in the first five minutes of each period, disappointing the over 7,000 fans who packed it in to the Blue Cross Arena.

The Amerks had trouble sustaining offense throughout despite firing 29 shots on Ben Scrivens, including 15 in the middle frame. Former RPI and Team USA junior star Jerry D'Amigo emerged as an Amerks killer, finding the net five times in the three-game sweep. For the last time this season, we'll turn it over to Kevin Oklobzija's Rochester D&C game story for the rest:

“They had a group of guys who bought into the team goals.”

The Amerks were all about team, too. Their team just wasn’t as deep, quick or talented from first line to fourth line.

“Every guy that put on the Americans sweater gave it their all,” captain Colin Stuart said. “We weren’t happy just making the playoffs so it’s still a tough pill to swallow.

The American Hockey League record book will forever show the Amerks lost all three games of the only playoff series they played this spring. Yet in reality, they had already won at least one round just by getting into the Calder Cup playoffs.

With 12 days to go in the regular season, they sat 12th in the Western Conference. Only the top eight teams get invited to the post-season party. The Amerks finished seventh.

Mike Ryan returned to the Amerks lineup for the first time in over two months, while Alex Biega did not play after being suspended for boarding Greg Scott at the end of game 2 on Saturday. David Leggio made 23 saves in his 26th consecutive start.

The Rundown:
Foligno: -2
McNabb: -1, 2 SOG
Brennan: -1, 4 SOG
Adam: 2 SOG
Tropp: -1, 3 SOG
Varone: 1 SOG
Crawford: 1 SOG

***

In the OHL, Steven Shipley finished +2 as Niagara downed Ottawa 5-2 in game #3 of the OHL Eastern Conference Final. Shipley's line with David Pacan (#2 star) and Mitchell Theoret (#1 star) provided a spark all evening for the Dogs, who take a 2-1 series lead into Wednesday's game #4. Niagara goalie Mark Visentin scored the game's final goal into the empty net with a accurate shot form the other end of the rink.

With the Amerks bounced, Shipley, Mark Pysyk, and Jerome Gauthier-Leduc remain as the only Sabres prospects left in action in the 2011-12 season.

4/22 Recap: Ship assists; Oil Kings keep rolling

In Sunday action, Steven Shipley snapped a seven-game point drought with an assist as Niagara couldn't overcome an early four-goal deficit en route to a 7-4 loss to Ottawa. While on a second period power play, the 6'3 Shipley (10 black) planted himself at the edge of the paint and nudged the puck to Dougie Hamilton, who ripped a shot to cut it to a 4-3 deficit. Sean Monahan ('13) had a goal and two assists for the 67's, while defenseman Cody Ceci ('12) added a goal and an assist. The clubs will travel to Ottawa and go right back at it Monday with the series locked at one game each.




In game #2 of the WHL Eastern Conference final, Mark Pysyk logged the usual big minutes but did not factor into the scoring as Edmonton rolled past Moose Jaw, 6-1. The Oil Kings, who defeated the Warriors by an identical score in Friday's opener, extend their winning streak to 21 games dating back to the end of the regular season. The series will shift to Moose Jaw for games three and four on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Amerks head home in hole

The Rochester Americans began the AHL playoffs this week, but have quickly found themselves in a 2-0 series hole after a pair of losses at division rival Toronto.

On Thursday, Phil Varone scored the game's first goal and added an assist but Jerry D'Amigo's second goal of the game with less than five minutes to play gave the Marlies a 4-3 victory in the opener. Marcus Foligno and T.J. Brennan added the Amerks other tallies, while David Leggio made 34 saves in his 24th straight start in the Rochester crease.



The Rundown:
Varone: G, A, 2 SOG
Foligno: G
Brennan: G, -1, 3 SOG
McNabb: even
Biega: A, -1
Crawford: A
Tropp: -1, 2 SOG
Adam: A, 2 SOG

It was deja vu on Saturday, as Foligno, Varone, and Brennan would again get the Rochester goals, but D'Amigo would again score his second of the game in the final minutes, this time with just under two to play, as Toronto skated to their second consecutive 4-3 victory.



The Rundown:
Foligno: G, A, +1, 2 SOG
Brennan: G, +2, 4 SOG
Varone: G, 3 SOG
Biega: A, +2, 2 SOG, 6 PIM
McNabb: A
Crawford: -1
Tropp: -1, 2 SOG
Adam: 2 SOG

The Amerks are now in the tough spot of needing to defeat the Marlies in three straight games to escape the best-of-five. Their first kick at staving off elimination comes with Monday's game #3 at the BCA.

4/21 Recap: Leduc cannon gets Nics a win

Jerome Gauthier-Leduc scored off a blast from the point Saturday with just 56-seconds remaining in regulation to give Rimouski a 5-4 win over Halifax. The victory gives the Oceanic a 2-0 series lead in the QMJHL semifinal with the teams traveling to Rimouski for Tuesday's game three. The power play mark gives Leduc six goals and 13 points through 13 postseason tilts.

4/20 Recap: Trio push off with wins

In Friday CHL playoff action, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc logged a +1 as Rimouski opened their QMJHL semifinal round with a 4-1 win over Halifax. The 6'1 righty went without a shot on goal for the first time since November 12th, a span of 55 games. Prize 2013 talent Nathan MacKinnon was held without a point for the second time in 12 playoff games, but still made waves with 1:32 left by smoking Casey Babineau with an open-ice hit to set off a scrum. The teams will play it right back with game #2 Saturday in Halifax.

Mark Pysyk played even as Edmonton kicked off the WHL Eastern Conference final with a 6-1 trouncing of Moose Jaw. The victory gives the Oil Kings 20 straight wins going back the end of the regular season. Edmonton forward Henrik Samuelsson ('12) notched three assists to give him nine points through his first seven playoff games. The series will resume Sunday in Edmonton.

In the OHL, Steven Shipley (+1) went without a point for the seventh straight game as Niagara earned a 2-1 overtime win over Ottawa in game #1 of the OHL Eastern Conference final. The Shipley line produced the game winner when Mitchell Theoret lit the lamp at 5:10 of the OT. Game #2 is Sunday in St. Catharines.

4/17 Recap: Sutch scores as Colts get bounced; Leduc plays on

Gregg Sutch scored an early goal Tuesday but Barrie was defeated by Ottawa 4-3 in overtime of game seven of the OHL Eastern Conference Final. The 6'2 grinder took advantage of a turnover to pot his 2nd of the playoffs just 2:52 in. The Colts would battle back to force OT with :09 left in regulation before 67's forward Brett Gustavsen ended it at 2:09 of the extra session. Alex Lepkowski was +1 on the Colts blueline, finishing the playoffs with two goals, an assist, and a +10 rating in 12 games.


Ottawa advances to the Eastern Conference Final to face Steven Shipley and the Niagara IceDogs. The series begins Friday in St. Catharines.

In the QMJHL, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc earned an assist as Rimouski advanced to the semifinal round with a 5-4 win over Blainville-Boisbriand. The mobile righty advances to the next round with five goals, 12 points, and a +6 rating through 11 postseason contests. After coming back to defeat the Armada in seven games, the Oceanic will square off with Nathan MacKinnon and the Halifax Mooseheads beginning Friday. MacKinnon, who is considered to be the top dog for the 2013 draft, has 11 goals and 21 points in 11 playoff games.

4/15 Recap: Lepkowski, Sutch produce in Colts loss

Alex Lepkowski scored off a wrister from the point and added an assist Sunday as Barrie was defeated by Ottawa 3-2 to force a game #7 in the OHL Eastern Conference final. The multi-point effort was the second of his three-year career. Gregg Sutch scored the other Colts, his first of the playoffs and first in his last 18 post-season tilts. The clubs will decide the series Tuesday in Ottawa.

In the QMJHL, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc recorded three shots on goal as Rimouski edged Blainville-Boisbriand, 3-2. With the series locked at three games each, the clubs will play #7 Tuesday in Boisbriand.

In other news, the idle Amerks watched on during the final day of the regular season as the chips in place to give them the 7th spot in the AHL’s Western Conference playoffs. Rochester will square off with division rival Toronto for a best-of-five series beginning Thursday.

Game 1 – Thu., Apr. 19 – Rochester at Toronto, 7:00
Game 2 – Sat., Apr. 21 – Rochester at Toronto, 3:00
Game 3 – Mon., Apr. 23 – Toronto at Rochester, 7:05
*Game 4 – Wed., Apr. 25 – Toronto at Rochester, 7:05
*Game 5 – Sat., Apr. 28 – Rochester at Toronto, 3:00