12/28 Prospect, Albany, and Elmira Update

Saturday 12/28
WJC
USA defeated Slovakia 6-3
Stefan Matteau LW: Goal, +1, 2 PIM (Interference), 1 Shot
Steve Santini D: -1, 1 Shot

United States of Hockey

"Steven Santini — Once again, I thought Santini was Team USA’s best defender overall. His skating ability and physical play were out there for all to see in this game again. For a younger guy, he’s very smart and closes gaps so well.

Stefan Matteau — Matteau played physically and his strength on the puck was notable. He did score a goal on a nice finish from the slot."

My random thoughts from the early morning game:
-- Santini with his normal very effective but quiet game, moving the puck well and throwing a hit when the situation presented itself. Also, he wasn't on either of the PK units that got scored on. He did get beat 1 on 1 with 2 minutes left in the game in the corner that led to the 3rd Slovak goal. Other than that he was solid all game long.

-- Matteau with an eventful game, getting involved physically, took an interference penalty that I felt was a weak call as the Slovak player literally skated into Matteau who was spinning around behind the net in the 1st. Took an awkward open ice hit in the 2nd, stayed down for a few seconds but got up to finish his shift with a strong body check. Matteau earned a PP for the US early in the 3rd but had a nearly costly turnover on it that Gillies bailed him out on. Late in the period Matteau ripped a shot top shelf from the slot for the 5th US goal.

QMJHL
Gatineau defeated Blainville-Boisbriand 4-2
Anthony Brodeur G: DNP

OHL
Windsor defeated Saginaw 4-1
Ben Johnson LW: +2, 2 PIM (Slashing)

North Bay lost to Sudbury 4-2
Ben Thomson LW: Assist, E, 2 PIM (Hooking)

WHL
Swift Current defeated Moose Jaw 4-1
Graham Black C: DNP (Sick)

Kelowna defeated Vancouver 4-2
Damon Severson D: Assist (PP), -1
Myles Bell RW: -1

NCAA
Wisconsin defeated Alabama-Huntsville 3-2
Joe Faust D: +1, 3 Shots, 1 Block
Ohio State defeated Mercyhurst 6-3
Curtis Gedig D: E, 1 Shot, 2 Blocks

Michigan Tech lost to Western Michigan 1-0 (OT)
Blake Pietila LW: E, 2 PIM (Holding the Stick), 2 Shots, 5/8 Faceoffs

AHL
Albany defeated Portland 4-1. Scoring for the Devils was Whitney, Helgeson, Sislo, and Pelley (EN). Timmins had 2 assists and Scarlett, K. Zajac, and Pesonen also added an assist each. Kinkaid stopped 38 of 39 shots. The Devils were outshot 39-27 and went 0/8 on the PP and 3/3 on the PK. Kinkaid, Helgeson, and Whitney were the 3 stars. Here is the gamesheet.


Stats:
Keith Kinkaid: 18 GP 13-4-1, 1.92 GAA, .927 SV%, 4 SO - Leads AHL in GAA and SO
Joe Whitney: 30 GP 11-20-31, +4, 18 PIM, 13.09 SH%, 2.8 SH/GP
Scott Timmins: 16 GP 7-11-18, +8, 8 PIM, 19.44 SH%, 2.25 SH/GP
Reece Scarlett: 28 GP 4-7-11, +13, 16 PIM, 9.75 SH%, 1.46 SH/GP
Mike Sislo: 26 GP 9-10-19, +8, 12 PIM, 15.78 SH%, 2.19 SH/GP
Kelly Zajac: 24 GP 2-13-15, +6, 2 PIM, 7.40 SH%, 1.12 SH/GP
Harri Pesonen: 30 GP 5-10-15, +6, 30 PIM, 7.46 SH%, 2.23 SH/GP

ECHL
Elmira lost to Greenville 4-2
Maxime Clermont: DNP