10/24 Recap: Baptiste back; Fasching cashes

Nick Baptiste
made an impact in his return to the Sudbury lineup Friday with two late goals as the Wolves fell to Peterborough 6-4. The speedy winger missed the Wolves’ first 11 games while recovering from a shoulder injury sustained during preseason action. Eric Cornel amassed two assists and his third career fighting major for the Petes to give him nine points (4+5) at the 10-game mark. Both teams are back in action Saturday with the Wolves hosting Erie and the Petes visiting Sault Ste. Marie.

Elsewhere in the OHL, Brendan Lemieux was tossed from the game late in the second period after being assessed a match penalty in Barrie’s 5-4 victory over Kingston. The play started with Lemieux finishing a hit on 2015 draft prospect Lawson Crouse along the boards. The two quickly dropped the gloves and engaged in a very spirited bout. You can’t see it at first on the game feed, but apparently Lemieux bit Crouse while the two tussled on the ice. A second look at the fight later in the broadcast catches Crouse showing the linesman his hand as he got up from the ice. We’ll keep an eye out for additional OHL discipline leading up to the Colts’ Saturday game versus North Bay.

Justin Bailey saw his career-best nine-game point streak snapped as Kitchener was defeated by Owen Sound 4-3 in a shootout. At the 10-game mark, Bailey has collected eight goals and 14 points. Next up for the Rangers is a Saturday trip to Plymouth.

In the QMJHL, Vaclav Karabacek picked up a goal and an assist as Gatineau lost a battle of field goals 9-6 to Halifax. The two-point outing, his fourth of the year, gives the Czech four goals and seven assists through 13 contests. The Olympiques visit Shawinigan on Saturday.

In the WHL, Brycen Martin snapped a five-game point drought with two assists as Swift Current defeated Regina 3-1. The defenseman has gathered six points (0+6) through 15 games. The clubs will wrap up the home-and-home series Saturday in Regina.

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In NCAA action, Hudson Fasching (+1, 4 SOG) scored for the third straight game as No. 1 Minnesota got past Bemidji State 5-2. Fasching, who continued to plant at the edge of the crease on the power play, got the payoff when he deflected a Mike Reilly point shot into the back of the Bemidji net at 9:18 of the third period. Senior forward Christian Isackson finished with an even rating for Minnesota. The Gophers and Beavers complete the non-conference set on Saturday.

Freshman pivot Connor Hurley (+1) earned two primary assists for the first multiple-point game of his NCAA career as Notre Dame downed Niagara 6-3. The playmaking centerman now has points in two straight games, and a total of three (0+3) through his first four collegiate contests. Goaltender Cal Petersen served as backup for the Irish, who’ll go for their second consecutive series sweep on Saturday.

J.T. Compher (+1, 2 SOG) registered an assist as visiting No. 14 Michigan doubled up No. 8 UMass-Lowell 8-4. The helper gives the top-line right winger three points (0+3) through the first four games of the year. The Wolverines move on to face No. 11 Boston University and star freshman Jack Eichel on Saturday.

Judd Peterson finished with a minus-one rating and one shot on goal No. 9 St. Cloud State dropped a 5-1 decision at No. 2 Union. The teams close out the weekend series on Saturday.

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In case you missed it, Mikhail Grigorenko and Joel Armia each had a goal an assist as Rochester defeated Adirondack 4-1. Andrey Makarov made 34 saves to get the win in his first start of the year.

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In Sweden, Linus Ullmark made 37 saves as MODO held on for a 3-2 victory over Lulea HF. Ullmark, who earned his second straight victory, held firm through 55 minutes before allowing two late goals with Lulea icing an extra attacker. The 21-year old improves to 3-4 with a 3.75 GAA and .879 save% through eight starts. Gustav Possler notched two secondary assists for MODO, while second-line forward Victor Olofsson (10:10) recorded two shots on goal. MODO gets right back to work Saturday versus Frolunda.

Christopher Brown contributed one shot on goal as Green Bay was blanked 2-0 at Muskegon. The Gamblers remain in Michigan for another meeting with the Lumberjacks on Saturday.

In the ECHL, Justin Kea scored his first professional goal as Elmira lost to Reading 6-5 in a shootout. Kea now has two points (1+1) in three coast league contests. The Jackals and Royals continue their three-game series on Saturday.