Saginaw Spirit expected to get Goldowski from NTDP

The OHL's Saginaw Spirit are expected to announce the arrival of forward Jake Goldowski, who has left NTDP to join the club. TSN's Darren Dreger reported the news Friday.

This season with the U.S. NTDP, Goldowski has played in five games, recording an assist and two penalty minutes.

Last season with the program, he played in 34 games, recording six goals and three assists with 12 penalty minutes, but a minus-seven rating.

Sunday Highlights: Chenier’s trio boosts Battalion

NORTH BAY 6 – SUDBURY 5

A late Sudbury comeback effort came up short as Brad Chenier’s (4, 5, 6) first OHL hat-trick got the North Bay Battalion back in the win column, ending a six game slide with a 6-5 road win. The Battalion continue to have Sudbury’s number this season, improving to 3-0-0-0 against the Wolves this season with all three victories coming by a score of 6-5. Brandon Coe (3) and Luke Burghardt also scored while Justin Brazeau (15) found the back of the net for a third straight game. Kyle Potts had three assists and Andy Baker picked up two helpers as the Troops improved to 7-13-3-0. Down 6-3 midway through the third, Drake Pilon (2) and Michael Pezzetta (11) scored Sudbury goals to cut the deficit to one but that’s as close as they’d come. Anthony Tabak (2), Darian Pilon (5) and Reagan O’Grady (4) also scored for the Wolves who fall to 7-14-4-0.

SARNIA 4 – GUELPH 3 – OT
Theo Calvas found Calgary Flames prospect Adam Ruzicka (15, 16) entering the zone as he snapped home the game winner 2:57 into overtime as the Sarnia Sting took a 4-3 victory in Guelph. Curtis Egert (3) and Jamieson Rees (3) also had Sarnia goals while Calvas had two assists. The Sting outshot the Storm 41-28, improving to 18-4-1-0, one point ahead of Sault Ste. Marie for first place in the West Division. The Storm drop their third straight decision as Isaac Ratcliffe (10), Garrett McFadden (6) and Ryan Merkley (7) all lit the lamp while Anthony Popovich made 37 saves.

SAGINAW 3 – ERIE 1

The Saginaw Spirit extended their home winning streak to five games as Cole Coskey (11) had a goal and an assist and New Jersey Devils prospect Evan Cormier turned away 33 of the 34 shots he faced in a 3-1 win over visiting Erie. Mason Kohn (6) and Blade Jenkins (8) also scored for the Spirit as they outshot the Otters 40-34 and improved to 9-9-3-0. Patrick Fellows (4) scored the lone goal for the Otters while Troy Timpano made 37 saves in defeat. Erie falls to 9-11-2-1 on the campaign.

LONDON 4 – WINDSOR 0

Joseph Raaymakers made 34 saves to record his second shutout of the season as the London Knights blanked the Windsor Spitfires 4-0 on the road. Buffalo Sabres prospect Cliff Pu (8, 9) scored twice and had an assist while Evan Bouchard and Robert Thomas had a pair of helpers. Tyler Rollo (4) and Max Jones (11) scored additional goals for London as the Knights went 2-for-4 on the power play. Windsor outshot London 34-29 in the loss. The Knights win their third straight and improve to 10-10-2-0 while the Spitfires lose their third straight and fall to 12-10-1-0.

MISSISSAUGA 3 – NIAGARA 1

The Mississauga Steelheads won their third straight, defeating the visiting Niagara IceDogs 3-1 in a game that featured a total of 26 power plays. The Trout went 1-for-14 as Nicolas Hague (10) scored on the man advantage while other markers came from Owen Tippett (3) and Michael McLeod (2). Tippett finished the afternoon with a goal and three assists while Emanuel Vella turned aside 27 of 28 to get the win. Niagara went 1-for-12 on the power play as Kirill Maksimov (12) spoiled Vella’s shutout bid 5:33 into the third period. Colton Incze took the loss for Niagara with 25 saves on the afternoon. With the win, Mississauga climbs a point ahead of Niagara in the Central Division, sitting three points back of first place Barrie with an 11-10-0-1 record.

OTTAWA 4 – KINGSTON 2
The Ottawa 67’s staged a third period comeback in Kingston as Travis Barron (6) tied the score at two midway through the frame before Nikita Okhotyuk (3) netted the game winner at 18:01 in a 4-2 triumph. Sasha Chmelevski (14), Mathieu Foget (9) and Barron all had a goal and an assist while rookie netminder Cedrick Andree made 28 saves in his first OHL win. Tyler Burnie (9) and Nathan Dunkley (6) responded with goals for the Frontenacs. The 67’s pull into a second place tie with Kingston in the East Division, improving to 13-9-1-0. The Fronts fall to 12-7-1-2 as both teams have 27 points.

BARRIE 5 – OSHAWA 3

Zach Magwood (12) broke a 3-3 stalemate with 5:25 left in the third period as the Barrie Colts took a 5-3 win in Oshawa. Newly acquired Colts defenceman  TJ Fergus (2, 3) scored twice while Justin Murray (3) and Lucas Chiodo (8) also had goals. Chiodo finished the night with a goal and two assists while Kai Edmonds got the win in goal with 22 saves. Barrie takes a five point lead on first place in the Central Division with a 13-6-1-1 record. Kenny Huether (11), Danil Antropov (5) and Eric Henderson (3) scored Oshawa goals while Domenico Commisso recorded three assists. The Generals were outshot 31-25 as they fall to 9-12-2-0 in the East Division.

KITCHENER 4 – PETERBOROUGH 1

The Kitchener Rangers wrapped up a perfect three-in-three weekend with their fourth straight win as Adam Liska (5), Riley Damiani (7), Logan Stanley (5) and Connor Bunnaman (14) all scored in a 4-1 win over visiting Peterborough. Jake Henderson recorded three assists while Liska and Bunnaman finished the night with a goal and a helper each. Luke Richardson made 26 saves to earn his seventh straight win while Peterborough’s Dylan Wells made 36 saves across the ice. Kitchener outshot Peterborough 40-27, improving to 15-6-2-0 with a six point lead on first place in the Midwest Division. Peterborough drops a third straight decision, falling to 12-11-0-1.

OWEN SOUND 6 – FLINT 4

Vegas Golden Knights first round pick Nick Suzuki (12, 13, 14) scored his first hat-trick of the season as the Owen Sound Attack scored three in the third to take a 6-4 win in Flint. The Attack outshot the Firebirds 46-37, going 2-for-2 on the power play as Aidan Dudas chipped in with three assists while other Owen Sound goals came from Chase Campbell (1), Maksim Sushko (11) and Daylon Groulx (3). Rookie goaltender Mack Guzda made his third straight start and turned aside 33 shots in the win. Kyle Harris (1), Ryan Moore (7, 8) an Ethan Keppen (6) all scored for Flint as the Firebirds fell to 7-13-2-0. Owen Sound climbs to 12-7-0-2.

via OHL.

Oilers sign goaltender Wells to entry level contract

The Edmonton Oilers have signed goaltender Dylan Wells to a three-year entry level contract.

Wells has just completed his third season with the OHL's Peterborough Petes, helping the Petes reach the Conference finals. 

During the regular season, the 19-year-old Wells appeared in a career high 52 games, registering a 3.07 goals against average and a .916 save percentage. He tied for third in the OHL with 33 wins, and also shared the fourth best save percentage in the OHL at .916, among goaltenders with 30 games or more.

The 6'2", 182-pound goaltender had an 8-4 record in the playoffs, with a 2.51 GAA, and a .930 SV% over 12 games.

The native of St. Catharines, Ont. was named OHL Playoff Player of the Week on April 17, after registering two road wins and making 66 saves as the Petes completed a four-game sweep of the Kingston Frontenacs. Wells also became the first goaltender in Petes history to score a goal, and ninth OHL goaltender all-time, when he scored a goal into an empty net to clinch a 6-2 victory and series win in Game 4 in Kingston. 

Wells opened the playoffs with an eight-game winning streak, in which he had a 1.94 GAA and a .944 SV%.

He was also a finalist for the OHL Goaltender of the Year Award this past season, and was the Petes' nominee for the Red Tilson Trophy, awarded to the Most Outstanding Player of the Year. 

Wells played for Canada Red at the 2014 World Under-17 Challenge in Sarnia-Lambton, Ont. and attended the Hockey Canada Program of Excellence goaltending camp in 2014, 2015 and again in 2016.

Wells was selected by the Oilers in the 5th round, 123rd overall, in the 2016 NHL Draft.

Saturday Highlights: Rangers hold their ground

KITCHENER 4 – FLINT 3 – OT
Sophomore forward Nick McHugh (12) scored 1:41 into overtime as the Kitchener Rangers edged the Flint Firebirds 4-3 on the road. The Rangers salvaged what was a 3-1 lead before Flint came back to tie things late and earn a point in the overtime loss. The Rangers hold their ground in the Western Conference, gaining a point on the seventh place Firebirds to tighten their grip on sixth place to three points. Philadelphia Flyers prospect Connor Bunnaman (32, 33, 34) recorded his second hat-trick of the season while St. Louis Blues prospect Luke Opilka made 42 saves. Adam Mascherin recorded three assists for the Blueshirts who snap a three game losing skid. Dallas Stars draftee Nicholas Caamano (31, 32) scored twice for Flint while veteran captain Alex Peters (9) also found the back of the net. Flint outshot Kitchener 45-33.

OWEN SOUND 4 – SAGINAW 2
Sophomore forward Nick Suzuki (41, 42) scored twice as the Owen Sound Attack won their third straight game with a 4-2 victory over visiting Saginaw. The Attack take over control of second place in the Midwest Division, surpassing the London Knights as Markus Phillips (11) and Petrus Palmu (35) also had goals and defenceman Trenton Bourque notched a pair of assists. The Spirit see their four game winning streak come to an end as Damien Giroux (8) and Hayden Hodgson (37) both lit the lamp. Saginaw is six points back of eighth place Sarnia in the Western Conference with three games left on the schedule.

OSHAWA 3 – KINGSTON 2
Medric Mercier’s (21, 22) outstanding overage campaign continued on Saturday, featuring two goals and an assist in a 3-2 Oshawa Generals road win in Kingston. Mercier scored twice on the power play before setting up Mason Kohn (11) for the game winner 5:11 into the third period as the Generals rebounded from a home ice loss on Friday. Jeremy Brodeur turned aside 28 of the 30 shots he faced, improving the Generals to 37-22-3-2 on the season. Kingston had goals from Ted Nichol (15) and Brett Neumann (12) while Jeremy Helvig made 29 saves in the loss. The Fronts trail fourth place Hamilton, who won on Saturday, by one point in the Eastern Conference. The Generals enter the back end of a home-and-home with Kingston in Oshawa on Sunday with a 5-1-1-0 record against the Frontenacs this season. With 21 goals in a Generals uniform from the blue line, Mercier has the most goals by an Oshawa defenceman since Jim Baxter scored 22 in 1998-99.

HAMILTON 7 – PETERBOROUGH 3
Los Angeles Kings prospect Matt Luff (20, 21, 22) had three goals and two assists as the Hamilton Bulldogs pounced on the visiting Peterborough Petes 7-3. Niki Petti (20) had a goal and two assists while Michael Cramarossa (20) and Will Bitten (21) also got in on the fun with a goal and an assist each. Marian Studenic (18) also found the back of the net for the Bulldogs as Hamilton put an end to Peterborough’s five game winning streak. Steven Lorentz (28), Josh Coyle (11) and Semyon Der-Arguchintsev (8) had markers for the Petes while Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Nikita Korostelev notched two assists. The Bulldogs have collected at least a point in each of their last four games, stepping one point ahead of fifth place Kingston in the Eastern Conference. The Petes lead the East Division by six points over second place Oshawa with four games remaining on the schedule.

BARRIE 6 – NORTH BAY 0
It was all Colts on Saturday as they blanked the visiting North Bay Battalion 6-0 in Barrie. Ben Hawerchuk (13, 14) led the way with two goals and two assists while rookie winger Kirill Nizhnikov (11, 12) also scored twice as the Colts recorded their third straight win over the Battalion this season. Lucas Chiodo (22) and Giordano Finoro (13) also lit the lamp while Christian Propp turned aside all 33 shots he faced to register his first OHL shutout. The loss is a big blow for the Battalion, who fall two points behind eighth place Niagara for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Troops do hold a game in hand however and hold their fate in their hands with a matchup with the IceDogs in Niagara on Sunday. The Colts put an end to a four game skid, improving to 17-41-6-1.

- Ontario Hockey League

Thursday Highlights: Paquette provides the finish as Petes win 40th

PETERBOROUGH 5 – OTTAWA 4 – OT
The Peterborough Petes have won 40 games for the first time since their last championship season in 2006, defeating the visiting Ottawa 67’s 5-4 in overtime. Rookie forward Semyon Der-Arguchintsev (7) tied the game at four with 5:42 to go before Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Chris Paquette (19) snapped a wrister past Leo Lazarev 3:24 into overtime to give the Petes their fifth straight win. Peterborough outshot Ottawa 46-39 as draft eligible centreman Zach Gallant (19, 20) earned first star honours with a pair of goals and a strong night in the faceoff circle. Tyler Rollo (6) also scored for the maroon and white while goaltender Dylan Wells made 35 saves. The 67’s earned a big point in the OT loss to help them in their pursuit of a playoff spot at the bottom of a tight Eastern Conference race. Mathieu Foget (8), Patrick White (22), Chris Martenet (4) and Ben Evans (8) all scored while Lazarev made 41 saves. The Petes can potentially clinch an East Division title this coming weekend while Ottawa sits two points ahead of seventh place Sudbury with five games left on the schedule.

MISSISSAUGA 3 – BARRIE 2
Rookie goaltender Jacob Ingham made 36 saves in front of a hometown crowd, backstopping the Mississauga Steelheads to a 3-2 win in Barrie. Mississauga’s seventh straight win featured goals from Trent Fox (12), Owen Tippett (43) and Spencer Watson (26). Barrie forward Jason Smith (6) had a goal and an assist against his former club while Zach Magwood (16) also found the back of the net for the Colts in their third straight loss. The Steelheads improve to an outstanding 15-1-1-3 against Central Division foes this season and hold an overall record of 31-19-6-7.

ERIE 4 – WINDSOR 2
Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alex DeBrincat (61) stretched his consecutive goal-scoring streak to 18 games, one shy of tying an OHL record as the Erie Otters doubled up the Windsor Spitfires 4-2 on the road. Owen Headrick (3), Anthony Cirelli (22) and Warren Foegele (24) added Otters goals as Erie outshot Windsor 32-18 to improve to 46-14-2-1. The Spitfires saw their three game winning streak come to an end as Julius Nattinen (11) and Connor Corcoran (5) both scored in the loss. Erie creates some breathing room atop the Western Conference, taking a three point lead over second place Sault Ste. Marie while continuing to lead the Midwest Division by four points over second place London. Windsor trails fourth place Owen Sound in their pursuit of home ice advantage by four points in the Western Conference.

OWEN SOUND 6 – NIAGARA 4
Draft eligible forward Kirill Maksimov (16, 17, 18) recorded his second consecutive hat-trick but the Niagara IceDogs were outdone by the visiting Owen Sound Attack, falling 6-4 as Finnish winger Petrus Palmu (34) had a goal and three assists. Overage captain Santino Centorame notched three assists while other Attack goals came from Jonah Gadjovich (41), Kevin Hancock (29), Cordell James (30), Maksim Sushko (15) and Nick Suzuki (40). Gadjovich and Suzuki give the Attack two 40-goal scorers in their lineup for the first time since 1998-99 when Wes Goldie and Peter Campbell both surpassed 40. The Attack went 3-for-5 on the power play and have now won five of their last six games. Ben Jones (12) scored Niagara’s other goal in the loss as they fail to record a point and miss out on an opportunity to overtake North Bay for sole possession of eighth in the Eastern Conference.

LONDON 8 – GUELPH 2
JJ Piccinich (23, 24) and Sam Miletic (32,33) stole the show on Sportsnet 360 as the London Knights trounced the visiting Guelph Storm 8-2. Piccinich finished the night with two goals and an assist while Miletic recorded two goals and two helpers as the Knights kept pace with first place Erie in the Midwest Division. London outshot Guelph 44-28 as Owen MacDonald (16) had a goal and an assist and Olli Juolevi (9), Victor Mete (15) and Josh Nelson (4) also tallied. Calgary Flames prospect Tyler Parsons made 26 saves, surrendering Guelph goals by James McEwan (17) and Nick Deakin-Poot (7). The Knights are 5-0 against Guelph this season. The two clubs will wrap up the season series on Sunday in Guelph.

- Ontario Hockey League

Wednesday Highlights: Troops fighting to the finish

NORTH BAY 4 – SUDBURY 2
Overage winger Steve Harland (26, 27) scored twice and rookie Rhys Forhan scored the game winner with 3:15 left in the second period as the North Bay Battalion defeated the visiting Sudbury Wolves 4-2. The win puts the Troops into an eighth place tie with the Niagara IceDogs for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference while they trail Sudbury by just one point for seventh and Ottawa by two for sixth. Daniil Vertiy (13) also scored for North Bay while goaltender Brent Moran made 32 saves and Brad Chenier gathered two assists.. The Troops have won four of their six meetings against Sudbury this season with two more remaining on the schedule. Drake Pilon (5) and Zach Wilkie (3) scored for Sudbury as the Wolves’ woes continue having won just once in their past 10 games.

SAGINAW 5 – FLINT 4 – SO
Evan Cormier stopped Ryan Moore to secure a 5-4 road shootout win for the Saginaw Spirit, but the Flint Firebirds clinched their first ever OHL Playoff berth with a point in the process. Flint also wins the I-75 Divide Cup between the two clubs for a second straight year. Spirit blueliner Marcus Crawford set up the game-tying goal late in the third period before winning the game in a shootout to keep Saginaw’s playoff hopes afloat. With a Sarnia loss in Sault Ste. Marie, the Spirit are six points back of the Sting with a game in hand. Matthew Kreis (11), Kris Bennett (23, 24) and Crawford (6) all scored for Saginaw while Cormier made 37 saves. Flint goals came from Everett Clark (14), Ty DellandOntario Hockey League rea (13), Nicholas Caamano (30) and Ryan Moore (39) while Connor Hicks made 39 saves. The Firebirds sit just two points back of sixth place Kitchener as both teams have five games remaining on the schedule.

SAULT STE. MARIE 6 – SARNIA 3
Overage veteran Bobby MacIntyre (24, 25) scored twice while Boris Katchouk (30) and Morgan Frost (18) each had a goal and two assists as the Soo Greyhounds doubled up visiting Sarnia 6-3 for their third straight win. Colton White (6) and Jack Kopacka (28) also had goals while Conor Timmins netted two assists, becoming the first Hounds defenceman since Jake Muzzin in 2010 to record 50 in a season. Reigning Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week Matthew Villalta made 18 saves to record his 23rd win of the season, being beaten three times on Sarnia shots from Anthony Salinitri (24) and Drake Rymsha (31, 32). The Greyhounds outshot the Sting 39-21 and improve to 4-2 against Sarnia on the season. The Greyhounds are one point back of the Erie Otters for first place in the Western Conference while Sarnia holds a six point lead on ninth place Saginaw with four games remaining.

- Ontario Hockey League

Spitfires’ Vilardi named Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week

TORONTO, ON – The Ontario Hockey League yesterday announced that 2017 NHL Draft prospect Gabriel Vilardi of the Windsor Spitfires is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the week ending March 5 after leading the league with nine points in three games scoring four goals and five assists with a plus-minus rating of plus-4.

Vilardi recorded a trio of multi-point performances last week for the Spitfires who won all three of their games to keep pace in the competitive Western Conference standings where they remain in fifth place with a 39-15-5-3 record just two points behind the Owen Sound Attack.  Vilardi and the Mastercard Memorial Cup hosts took full advantage of Sportsnet’s spotlight grabbing two wins against top-five CHL ranked competition including Thursday night over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and Saturday afternoon against the London Knights both played before a national broadcast audience.  Vilardi began the week earning first star honours with a goal and an assist in the 4-3 overtime triumph against the Hounds, then earned second star recognition contributing two assists in the 4-1 victory against the Knights.  The OHL’s top ranked NHL Draft prospect elevated his play on Sunday with a career-high five points collecting his second hat-trick of the season as first star of a 7-1 win over the Sudbury Wolves.

A 17-year-old from Kingston, ON, Vilardi is playing in his second season with the Spitfires who chose him second overall in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection.  He is listed third overall among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting for the 2017 NHL Draft and competed in January’s Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Quebec City scoring a goal for Team Cherry in their 7-5 win.  Vilardi currently has 28 goals and 31 assists for 59 points in 43 games and is the third Spitfire to earn the league’s weekly honour this season following teammates Michael DiPietro and Logan Brown.

Also considered for the award this week was fellow 2017 NHL Draft prospect Nick Suzuki of the Owen Sound Attack who scored five goals and one assist for six points in two games, and Los Angeles Kings prospect Spencer Watson of the Central Division champion Mississauga Steelheads who scored twice with five assists for seven points in three games.  In goal, rookie Matthew Villalta of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds posted a 2-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory making 64 saves for a goals-against-average of 0.50 and save percentage of .985.

2016-17 Pioneer Energy OHL Players of the Week:

Feb. 27 – Mar. 5: Gabriel Vilardi (Windsor Spitfires)
Feb. 20 – Feb. 26: Michael McLeod (Mississauga Steelheads)
Feb. 13 – Feb. 19: Joseph Murdaca (Erie Otters)
Feb. 6 – Feb. 12: Spencer Watson (Mississauga Steelheads)
Jan. 30 – Feb. 5: Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)
Jan. 23 – Jan. 29: Jeremy Helvig (Kingston Frontenacs)
Jan. 16 – Jan. 22: Hayden Hodgson (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 9 – Jan. 15: Kole Sherwood (Flint Firebirds)
Jan. 2 – Jan. 8: Santino Centorame (Owen Sound Attack)
Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Michael McNiven (Owen Sound Attack)
Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Dylan Wells (Peterborough Petes)
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Boris Katchouk (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Jeremy Bracco (Kitchener Rangers)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Jonathan Ang (Peterborough Petes)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Troy Timpano (Erie Otters)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Max Jones (London Knights)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Jeremy Bracco (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Logan Brown (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 26 – Oct. 2: Joseph Raaymakers (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 25: Matt Luff (Hamilton Bulldogs)

- OHL

Otters’ Raddysh reaches 100-point plateau

Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Taylor Raddysh of the Erie Otters has joined teammate Alex DeBrincat in the century club.

One of three Lightning prospects on the Otters roster, Raddysh scored his 38th goal of the season and pitched in with two assists to bring him to 100 points on the season as Erie lost a wild one in Niagara by a score of 9-7 on Sunday.

The Caledon Ont. native has been a front-line contributor with the Otters this season, spending much of his time on a line alongside DeBrincat and Arizona Coyotes first round pick Dylan Strome. He becomes the sixth player in Otters history to reach 100 points in a season.

Raddysh was the OHL’s Player of the Month for October and joined DeBrincat in sharing the honours for November. He played a key role in Team OHL’s success in the 2016 CIBC Canada/Russia Series, scoring twice and adding an assist in a 5-2 win over Team Russia in Hamilton.

After making a strong impression with Team OHL, Raddysh earned a spot on Canada’s National Junior Team, tying a Canadian World Junior record with four goals in one game. He finished the tournament with five goals, one assist and six points over seven contests as Canada came away with silver.

A second round (58th overall) pick by the Lightning last summer, Raddysh’s 100 points (38-62–100) place him second in OHL scoring. He leads the league in both assists (62) and plus/minus (plus-64).

Raddysh, who also recorded his 200th career OHL point on Sunday, was Erie’s first round (19th overall) pick in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection from the Toronto Marlboros Minor Midgets.

- Ontario Hockey League

Sunday Highlights: Spits stay in the race with third straight win

WINDSOR 7 – SUDBURY 1
2017 NHL Draft prospect Gabe Vilardi (26, 27, 28) recorded a career-high five points, including his second hat-trick of the season as the Windsor Spitfires rolled to their third straight win, defeating visiting Sudbury 7-1. The win keeps the Spits just two points behind fourth place Owen Sound for home ice advantage in the Western Conference while first place Sault Ste. Marie holds a four point edge in the West Division. Jeremy Bracco (24), Julius Nattinen (10), Logan Brown (14) and Mikhail Sergachev (10) also scored for Windsor as the Spits outshot the Wolves 35-23 and went 2-for-3 on the power play. Ryan Valentini (17) scored Sudbury’s lone goal as the Wolves dropped their fourth straight game and now trail sixth place Ottawa by one point in the Eastern Conference. Vilardi’s five points are the most in a game by a Spitfire since Slater Doggett on Feb. 1, 2015 vs. Belleville.

OTTAWA 3 – BARRIE 1
The Ottawa 67’s climbed in the Eastern Conference standings as goaltender Leo Lazarev turned aside 31 shots in a 3-1 win over the visiting Barrie Colts. Ottawa’s second consecutive win featured goals from Mathieu Foget (7), Sasha Chmelevski (21) and Austen Keating (19), helping them leapfrog the Sudbury Wolves into sixth place. Ottawa was outshot 32-25 as Barrie’s Roy Radke (22) provided the lone goal for the Colts. Artur Tyanulin and Peter Stratis each had two assists for Ottawa. The 67’s sit on top of an Eastern Conference logjam that features four teams separated by four points with under seven games to go. Barrie was eliminated from postseason contention following the loss, marking the second time in franchise history that the Colts won’t make an appearance in the OHL Playoffs.

NIAGARA 9 – ERIE 7
The Niagara IceDogs and Erie Otters combined for 16 goals in a wild one in St. Catharines. After being on the receiving end of a 10-1 beating by the Otters on Friday, the IceDogs had their revenge as 2017 NHL Draft prospect Kirill Maksimov (13, 14, 15) led the charge with his first OHL hat-trick. The Otters jumped out to a 4-1 lead, but Niagara responded in a big way, scoring four straight goals in the opening half of the second period. Edmonton Oilers prospect Ryan Mantha (15, 16) scored the game winner on the power play 6:47 into the third frame as the IceDogs scored their second win over Erie this season. Mantha finished the game with two goals and an assist while Kyle Langdon (10, 11) scored twice, Oliver Castleman (17) had a goal and two assists and Johnny Corneil (28) had a goal and three helpers. Stephen Dhillon turned aside 53 shots as the Otters reached 60 on the shot clock for the second straight game, outshooting the IceDogs 60-37. Both squads connected for three power play tallies as Erie highlights included Alex DeBrincat (59, 60) with a pair of goals, Taylor Raddysh (38) and Dylan Strome (21) with a goal and two assists each and Darren Raddysh with three helpers. Gera Poddubnyi (9), T.J. Fergus (3) and Warren Foegele (23) also scored for the Otters, who see their lead atop the Western Conference over second place Sault Ste. Marie shrink to three points. DeBrincat becomes the OHL’s first 60-goal scorer since Erie’s Dane Fox netted 64 during the 2013-14 season. DeBrincat also extended his goal-scoring streak to 17 games, two shy of tying an OHL record. With three points, Taylor Raddysh joins DeBrincat as the second OHL player to reach 100 points this season. The IceDogs earn a big two points, climbing to two points ahead of ninth place North Bay for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

MISSISSAUGA 3 – SARNIA 2 – OT
2017 NHL Draft prospect Nicolas Hague (18) scored with one second remaining in overtime to give the Mississauga Steelheads a thrilling 3-2 win over visiting Sarnia. Los Angeles Kings prospect Spencer Watson gathered an assist on the game winner as the Trout win their sixth straight game, capturing their 30th win of the season. Owen Tippett (42) and Jacob Cascagnette (19) also had Steelheads goals while overage netminder Matthew Mancina made 30 saves. The Sting gain a point in the hard-fought overtime loss, inching to within four points of seventh place Flint in the Western Conference. Jaden Lindo (20) and Drake Rymsha (30) had goals for Sarnia while St. Louis Blues prospect Jordan Kyrou recorded an assist to stretch his current point streak to an OHL-high 27 games for the 2016-17 season. Aidan Hughes made 26 saves in the loss as the Sting sit eight points ahead of ninth place Saginaw for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

HAMILTON 5 – NORTH BAY 4 – SO
Fifth-year veteran Michael Cramarossa scored the shootout winner as the Hamilton Bulldogs scored a 5-4 road win over the North Bay Battalion. Bulldogs blueliner Ben Gleason (5, 6) scored under two minutes apart in the second period to put Hamilton up 3-1, but the Troops would fight back to earn a much-needed point in the shootout loss. Will Bitten (20) and Zachary Jackson (3) also had goals for Hamilton while Kaden Fulcher made 28 saves in goal and denied all three shootout opponents he faced. Rookie forward Brett Hahkala (1) scored his first OHL goal for North Bay while Brad Chenier (7), Max Kislinger (6) and Steve Harland (25) also lit the lamp for the Battalion. The point keeps North Bay within two points of eighth place Niagara in the Eastern Conference. The Troops sit on the bottom of a four team logjam, with only three of those clubs being able to earn an Eastern Conference playoff berth when all is said and done. Hamilton meanwhile, has pulled into a fourth place tie with Kingston for home ice in what could potentially be a first round playoff series between the two clubs.

SAULT STE. MARIE 2 – KITCHENER 1
Boston Bruins prospect Zach Senyshyn (40, 41) scored twice, netting the winner with 2:09 left in the third period as the Soo Greyhounds won for the fifth time in the past six games. Senyshyn becomes the Hounds’ first back-to-back 40-goal scorer since Richard Uniacke in 1996 and 1997, helping his team rise to within three points of first place Erie in the Western Conference. Sault Ste. Marie rookie Matthew Villalta improved to 22-2-0-0 on the season with a 27-save performance, surrendering Kitchener’s lone goal on the afternoon off the stick of Joseph Garreffa (24). The Rangers lead seventh place Flint by three points in the Western Conference though the Firebirds hold a game in hand.

- Ontario Hockey League

Otters’ Murdaca named Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week

TORONTO, ON – The Ontario Hockey League today announced that goaltender Joseph Murdaca of the Erie Otters is the Pioneer Energy OHL Player of the Week for the week ending February 19 after posting a 3-0-0-0 record including a shutout victory with a goals-against-average of 0.67 and save percentage of .964.

Murdaca was near perfect last week turning aside 54 of 56 shots faced backstopping Erie to a trio of victories as the Otters established a new franchise record for consecutive wins.  On Wednesday night he made 16 saves in a battle for first place atop the Midwest Division standings defeating the London Knights by a 5-1 score.  Over the weekend Murdaca got the best of his former team the Mississauga Steelheads in a home-and-home series beginning Friday night on the road with 19 saves in the 4-1 win, and Saturday at home with another 19 save performance as first star recording the 3-0 shutout.  The Otters are the OHL’s top team with 87 points courtesy of a 42-10-2-1 record and powered of late by 13-straight wins surpassing the club’s previous high of 11 set during the 2013-14 season.

An 18-year-old from Niagara Falls, ON, Murdaca was acquired by the Otters in December and has won each of his last 11 starts since January 13.  He carries an overall record of 11-1-0-1 with the Otters including two shutouts, a goals-against-average of 2.13, and save percentage of .905 in 13 appearances.  The sophomore is now the seventh goaltender to receive the league’s weekly award, while this marks the fifth time an Otters player has been recognized following Alex DeBrincat (3) and fellow netminder Troy Timpano.

Two other goaltenders were considered for the award this week as their clubs clinched OHL Playoff berths including Michael McNiven of the Owen Sound Attack and Jeremy Brodeur of the Oshawa Generals.  McNiven, a Montreal Canadiens prospect, went 2-0-0-1 with 72 saves and a shutout victory for a goals-against-average of 0.97 and save percentage of .960.  Brodeur stopped 82 shots and was a perfect 17/17 across two shootout victories carrying a goals-against-average of 2.77 and save percentage of .932.  Up front, Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alex DeBrincat of the Otters led the league with seven points including three goals and four assists in three games eclipsing the century mark for points in a season a third straight time.

2016-17 Pioneer Energy OHL Players of the Week:

Feb. 13 – Feb. 19: Joseph Murdaca (Erie Otters)
Feb. 6 – Feb. 12: Spencer Watson (Mississauga Steelheads)
Jan. 30 – Feb. 5: Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)
Jan. 23 – Jan. 29: Jeremy Helvig (Kingston Frontenacs)
Jan. 16 – Jan. 22: Hayden Hodgson (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 9 – Jan. 15: Kole Sherwood (Flint Firebirds)
Jan. 2 – Jan. 8: Santino Centorame (Owen Sound Attack)
Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Michael McNiven (Owen Sound Attack)
Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Dylan Wells (Peterborough Petes)
Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Michael DiPietro (Windsor Spitfires)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)
Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Boris Katchouk (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Jeremy Bracco (Kitchener Rangers)
Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Jonathan Ang (Peterborough Petes)
Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Alex DeBrincat (Erie Otters)
Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Troy Timpano (Erie Otters)
Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Max Jones (London Knights)
Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Jeremy Bracco (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Logan Brown (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 26 – Oct. 2: Joseph Raaymakers (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds)
Sept. 21 – Sept. 25: Matt Luff (Hamilton Bulldogs)

Spirit sign free agent forward D.J. Busdeker

SAGINAW, Mich. – Saginaw Spirit General Manager Dave Drinkill announced Friday the signing of free agent forward D.J. Busdeker to a Standard Player Agreement and Education Package.

“We are pleased to announce the signing of D.J. Busdeker and are excited that he has committed to the Saginaw Spirit.” Said Drinkill.

“D.J. is a player that we have followed very closely over the last year with Compuware U16 and continuing into this season with Topeka of the NAHL. He has done nothing but produce at every level that he has played and has earned this opportunity with us. Adding a player of his character, work ethic, and drive to be a pro is infectious and we are looking forward to getting him started in our organization. By moving a player off our roster recently this opened up the opportunity to bring D.J. in, and allow him the opportunity to grow with our group of young players.”

Busdeker led the entire HPHL Under-16’s in 2015-16 with 42 points in 22 games for Detroit Compuware.

The native of Dexter, Michigan, Busdeker comes by way of the Topeka Roadrunners in the North American Hockey League where the rookie scored 13 points in just 12 games, ranking fourth on the team in scoring. An impressive feat for a just turned 17-year old on a team with an average age of 18 ½ years old. Busdeker is a late 1999 birthday, qualifying him for the 2018 NHL Draft.

“I am very much looking forward to making the jump to the Ontario Hockey League,” said the newly signed Spirit forward. “My goal is to one day play in the National Hockey League and I feel like the professional environment the Saginaw Spirit provides gives me the best opportunity to do so. My goal for this year is to come in and help the team any way I can. There are some great players here and I look forward to playing with them and learning from them.”

Busdeker will join his Spirit teammates this weekend to take on the Kitchener Rangers Saturday and the Guelph Storm Sunday.

- Saginaw Spirit

Thursday Highlights: Katchouk’s pair paces Hounds

SAULT STE. MARIE 6 NORTH BAY 1

Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Boris Katchouk (8, 9) scored twice and added an assist as the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds sprinted past the North Bay Battalion 6-1 on the road. Sault Ste. Marie’s fifth straight win also featured goals from Zach Senyshyn (8), Tim Gettinger (10), Bobby MacIntyre (12) and Jack Kopacka (3) while reigning CHL Goaltender of the Week Matthew Villalta made 19 saves. Steve Harland (13) scored the lone North Bay goal as the Troops were outshot 30-20. The Greyhounds went 2-for-3 on the power play.

WINDSOR 5 PETERBOROUGH 4 OT

Austin McEneny (1) scored his first OHL goal with 2:55 remaining in overtime as the Windsor Spitfires edged the Peterborough Petes 5-4 on the road. The Spits climbed ahead 4-2 with goals from Julius Nattinen (5) and Cole Purboo (6) in the latter half of the second period before Peterborough’s Adam Timleck (8) forced overtime with his goal at 18:23 of the third period. McEneny scored the winner on assists from Aaron Luchuk and Mikhail Sergachev. Cole Carter (8) and Graham Knott (5) also scored for Windsor while Winnipeg Jets prospect Logan Stanley had a pair of assists. Matt Spencer (2), Matyas Svoboda (5) and Zach Gallant (4) also had goals for the Petes while Dylan Wells made 38 saves. The Spitfires have earned a least a point in 10 straight games, improving to 15-4-3-0 on the season.

BARRIE 6 HAMILTON 5

The Barrie Colts climbed out to a 6-0 lead and barely held on for a 6-5 victory on home ice against the Hamilton Bulldogs. The Colts scored all six goals in the opening 13 minutes of the first period as Anthony Stefano (10) led the way with a goal and two assists while Jason Willms (6), Lucas Chiodo (9), Matt Brassard (5), Ben Hawerchuk (2) and Justin Murray (1) also found the back of the net. The Bulldogs chipped away at the lead though, with goals coming from Michael Cramarossa (8, 9), Trent Fox (4), Matthew Strome (15) and Adam Laishram (3). The Colts managed to calm things down, locking down the one-goal victory while outshooting Hamilton 38-28. Defenceman Kade Landry had three assists in the win as the Colts improve to 8-13-2-1.

ERIE 5 SUDBURY 2

2017 NHL Draft prospect Ivan Lodnia (10) had a goal and two assists as the Erie Otters defeated the visiting Sudbury Wolves 5-2. Dylan Strome (1) had a goal and an assist in his season debut while Kyle Maksimovich (5), TJ Fergus (1) and Alex DeBrincat (21) also found the back of the net. The Otters outshot Sudbury 39-16, improving to 17-5-2-0. Darian Pilon (6) and Macauley Carson (12) scored for Sudbury in the loss.

via Ontario Hockey League.

Kitchener Rangers trade for rights to Blues' Fabbri at OHL trade deadline

"The Neutral Zone" Roster Report

Robby Fabbri

Kitchener (OHL) acquired the rights to Robby Fabbri just before Monday's Ontario Hockey League trade deadline.

The Rangers sent three draft picks to Guelph on Monday in exchange for the rights to Fabbri, who has firmly entrenched himself as a member of the NHL's St. Louis Blues this season. Guelph picked up the Rangers' third round pick in 2020, a conditional second round pick (originally from Saginaw) in 2018, and a conditional second round pick in 2019.

The 19-year-old Fabbri, the Blues' first-round pick in 2014, has 10 goals and four assists in 39 games so far in his rookie NHL campaign.